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Well what else would you expect from a Munro often described as boring, dull, bland, mundane, insipid, tedious........?.....Quite a lot actually. Although Chonzie itself is nothing special the views it offered meant I thoroughly enjoyed my quick jaunt up and down.....and the 40 winks in the summit sunshine
I arrived at the small car park around 10am and was the only car there. The WH route description is spot on and you really can't go wrong. As you head up the Land Rover track it is true there is little to look at in front of you, however, once you've gained a bit of height a look behind you yields great views over the glen and to the Munros in the West.
First look at Ben Chonzie's flankOver Glen Lednock to the WestAs described about two thirds of the way up you leave the Land Rover track marked by a small cairn. I thought the path was quite distinct and not really boggy at all. From there it is a straight pull up the hill until you come to the rusty old fence posts which you can follow all the way to the summit. As you follow the posts you get great views of the Lawers Range and Schiehallion to the North. Although it was still blue skies and sunshine above me it was getting really windy & I was sincerely hoping that the summit shelter cairn I had read about would live up to its name. It did
A little less than 2 hours after leaving the car park I settled down out of the wind and had some lunch with excellent views out over Loch Turret and Auchnafree hill.....And yes I may have had the tiniest wee nap
Loch TurretNW to Ben Lawers from the summitLawers without the zoom N to Schiehallion from the summitAfter 45 mins or so I started my descent, the wind was certainly increasing as the blue skies turned grey. It was looking like I had caught the best of the weather. The Land Rover path is extremely rocky in places which didn't result in the best conditions underfoot for a quick return to the car with my ankles intact. However, I made it back in less than 90mins. This was only my third Munro and my first solo effort and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Don't listen to the bad press, it's a nice & easy Munro with some excellent views.........and for those of you who have read my other reports.....yes, of course you can see the Lomonds
My stalkers !