free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
After three weeks resting we headed out despite the not so good forecast (the wee guy was chomping at the bit). As it so happened the weather stayed dry most of the day, very cold and a bit windy with a couple of good blizzards thrown in for good measure.
![DSC01688.jpg]()
![DSC01698.jpg]()
![DSC01695.jpg]()
Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn) and Stuc a'Chroin were the chosen targets for this adventure. We got the kit all packed up on Friday night and was on the road early on Saturday morning (0700), two hours’ drive found us in the layby (we used the WH maps for this one) ready for the off. A couple of empty cars already there and a few other people just heading for the hills as we pulled up. We quickly got kitted up and set off up the track passing through the big house’s ground, we were climbing higher and higher quickly as there is a very good track most of the way to the base of the first Munro, Vorlich. The wee guy, only 6 is always off to a flier with me struggling to keep up, this hill was no different (hence the name “mountain goat” in previous reports). About 250m from the summit we stopped and got the waterproof and warm gear on, the snowflakes where coming down quite heavy and the temperature was dropping rapidly, especially with the wind chill. I think the gusts must have been around 30mph at times; wee guy had rocks in his pockets again to keep him on the ground! We met a few people on the way up, some turning round and heading down, others passing us by. As usual all were very impressed with Kyle and Marley. Soon we reached the summit of Kyle’s 26th Munro, pure magic! Another fantastic achievement considering he is only 6 years old. He celebrated in style by finding a sheltered spot out of the wind and having a nice cup of tea, quality.
![WP_001093.jpg]()
- You cannae beat a brew!
Batteries recharged and hungry for more, we spotted the next target, Stuc a’Chroin.
It looked great, very rocky. Kyle is very much into scrambling it seems, not to sure Marley is, but off we went.
It was on the way there that it really decided to start snowing which Kyle thought was great. Soon we found ourselves pushing up the final gulley to the ridge which took us to the summit. Once on the ridge we were very much in a white condition, following the compass and hoping for a break in the weather, then there it was……the sun pushed through slowly but surely. We almost got a clear summit shot.
This was number 27 for Kyle, he was over the moon, and I was touched as ever, proud is an understatement, some boy!
Time ticking on we had to get down, it was 2.30 so only really had a good couple of hours left of daylight.
We made good progress before the proper white out set in……it tested our skills which was good, Kyle loved it, apart from snow in the eyes (goggles required).
We contoured our way around the hills, discovering two lost walkers in the process, they said they had got disorientated in the snow, we helped them back to the track we had come up originally before regaining our momentum and made it back to the car at 4.30, just in time. Once in the car we had a quick reflection of the day and well, both summed it up with WOW, what a day, where next. Good hills these, we will certainly return one day!
