Ben Chonzie - far from boring!

[coachmacca]

As we are totally new to winter walking we got some great ideas for a 4 or 5 hour walk yesterday and headed for "Boring" Ben Chonzie.

Reading Pauls "The Munro's" book he comments on much maligned this hill is but that it makes a great Intro to Winter walking... and he couldnt have been more right.

Forecast was a "bit of wind" "some rain" and "maybe snow" so we headed up and arrived about 10.30 - need to quicken our morning prep....

Anyway weather was good to start , bit on the chilly side but dry

Followed the WH guide and sure enough found our way approaching the flanks of Ben Chonzie following the easy to walk path.


Ben Chonzie Dec 29 2012 by coachmacca, on Flickr
Chonzie come into view


Ben Chonzie Dec 29 2012 by coachmacca, on Flickr

Looking back from the low slopes of Chonzie - can anyone tell me what this this peak is ?

I'll let the pics do the report but the walk went well, we had to ford the burn up to our shins due it being in spate , the gaiters an Scarpa's coped VERY well - dry as a bone !

Once we hit the snowline we started to understand why WInter in Scotland is VERY different from Summer (well that bit between April and September).

First you learn that snow gets VERY DEEP- as i found as i stepped thigh deep into the stuff.

Next you discove that falling over is not only a possibility but inevitable... much laughing abound!

Next you discover .. its quite slippy.. put something smooth on it and lo and behold it travels unaided downhill. Fast. And far!


Ben Chonzie Dec 29 2012 by coachmacca, on Flickr
Feeling the burn! . Are we there yet?

Then you discover what horizontal , freezing snow feels like on your face - Sandblasting anyone? _ goggles on then

Ben Chonzie Dec 29 2012 by coachmacca, on Flickr

Finally .. navigation - Path? What Path? Compass out , basic skills required at least, landmarks (like the fence posts) essential and cross country become a viable option due to deep / crusted snow!


Ben Chonzie Dec 29 2012 by coachmacca, on Flickr
Samantha (My wife and patient companion)

Anyway - we LOVED it - almost a whiteout, following the posts, keeping bearings to hand we made it and back.


Ben Chonzie Dec 29 2012 by coachmacca, on Flickr


Ben Chonzie Dec 29 2012 by coachmacca, on Flickr

Heading back from the summit (once the snow had stopped!)

Even had time for a wee spot of a sport I like to call "Survival Bag Sledging"

Made it down for about 3.30, sandwiches in the car then headed home for a hot brew, food and a beer


Ben Chonzie Dec 29 2012 by coachmacca, on Flickr
Heading home

Ben Chonzie may be simple and not very inspiring in Summer but in Winter it rocks!

Winter Skills training at Glenmore in Feb - cant wait now, If anyone is heading out on the 2nd let me know I might tag along

[The Rodmiester]

coachmacca, so you made it, well done you and Sam , hope you found my report of some help. It's always good to hear a success story, bring on the New Year and many more days on the hills!

[joekell]

great wee report just what I was looking for took my first winter trek up ben arthur cause I knew it back to front so now I can,t wait to try chonzie thanks

[Fudgie]

Well done on completing it. I enjoyed that hill and it's one of many I need to return to on a clear day

[ScottishLeaf]

Looks like you had a grand day out.
There's a few of us heading to Sgor na h-ulaidh in Glen Coe on the second. You'd be welcome to join the fun

And you're mountain; if you were looking back the way you came and the shape does seem right; would be Ben Vorlich at Loch Earn.

[coachmacca]

Looks like you had a grand day out.
There's a few of us heading to Sgor na h-ulaidh in Glen Coe on the second. You'd be welcome to join the fun

And you're mountain; if you were looking back the way you came and the shape does seem right; would be Ben Vorlich at Loch Earn.

Cheers for naming it ScottishLeaf ... having climbed it you'd think I'd recognise it ...

Also thanks for the offer, would love to but life/family has other plans

Have a good walk

[coachmacca]

coachmacca, so you made it, well done you and Sam , hope you found my report of some help. It's always good to hear a success story, bring on the New Year and many more days on the hills!

Cheers Rod , great suggestion!

[chickadee]

Looks great! I plan to do this hill in the spring once the snow goes. Not experienced enough to winter-walk alone! Love the whiteout photos, it looks so pretty.

[coachmacca]

Looks great! I plan to do this hill in the spring once the snow goes. Not experienced enough to winter-walk alone! Love the whiteout photos, it looks so pretty.

Hope you enjoy it as well We will go back in spring to see what the path looks like

Totally agree about not going out alone - if something did go wrong you would be snookered.

[chickadee]

Looks great! I plan to do this hill in the spring once the snow goes. Not experienced enough to winter-walk alone! Love the whiteout photos, it looks so pretty.

Hope you enjoy it as well We will go back in spring to see what the path looks like

Totally agree about not going out alone - if something did go wrong you would be snookered.

Haha yeah, that's like me, I want to go back up Ben Vrackie when I can actually see it! And maybe even the view from the top...

I'm building up to a solo hill but it'll be in summer. My trip before Christmas was with a very experienced friend. I've read enough reports on here to make me realise what can happen!

[macq23]

Excellent to see Chonzie getting its well deserved reputation as a cracking hill to do did this last month and it was fun fun fun in the snow snow snow!