An attempt to infect my sons with the hillwalking bug

[PeteR]

I guess there can’t be many people (any people even) who get to post two reports on the three “Cairnwell” Munros. Well I can....so here goes with my second report on them

I first did these hills in early April 2011, tail end of winter with a few patches of snow still about. For my second visit though it was time for my two sons to appreciate the delights of their (apparently miserable and grumpy, so they told me ) Dad’s hobby and come out a wee walk. They were up staying with me for the week and I was adamant they would enjoy it.........even if they hated it So, I managed to wrestle them away from their x-box and get them in the great wide open

Now, I know these three hills, and their six cousins over the road get a bad press, but I actually like them And from the point of view of keeping my boys happy I thought the prospect of ticking three Munros off their lists in a oner would aid their motivation

Given their teenage and near teenage status it wasn’t an early start though (another good reason for choosing these hills for their introduction!!!!!) and we were suited and booted for a start time of 1.05 p.m.

Ready to Rock n Roll

Carn Aosda first, following a path under the ski tow. On the summit within 45 minutes, so the boys were pretty pleased with that and still seeming to be keen

Nearing the top of the climb, before the stroll to the summit

Munro summit #1

Benjamin (my eldest) was desperate to walk in the cloud and Carn a’Gheoidh was sporting a slight mantle of cloud, which worked to my advantage in getting them to agree to include it in the route

Rain and cloud on Carn a'Gheoidh

Sadly for my boy, the weather was improving during the afternoon and the cloud was soon all gone from off the summit as we made our way toward it

A pleasant stroll though soon found us on Carn nan Sac, which Benjamin mistakenly mistook for Munro summit number two He was not chuffed when I explained we were still a little way off Feet suddenly started to drag and faces looked glum

Panorama into what I take to be Choire Dhirich

Joshua posing on route to Carn nan Sac

Benjamin on Carn nan Sac

Cue the motivational power of the Pizza Hut*
(*other fast food outlets and restaurants are of course available )

So we were back on our way and heading toward Carn a Gheoidh. One patch of rocks gave the boys the chance to muck about for a while, maintaining their interest as we neared the summit.

Pano of Aosda and the Cairnwell en route to Carn a Gheoidh

A rocky distraction

Beinn a’Bhuird and Ben Avon from near the summit

Soon enough we were on the summit of their second Munro

From a views perspective this is probably the best hill of the three, with great views toward Glas Tulaichean, Carn an Righ, Beinn Lutharn Mhor and An Socath, as well as the northern Cairngorms, most notably Beinn a’Bhuird and Ben Avon Not that these two young boys cared particularly

Summit view

We also had a small flock of sheep wit us on the summit

A flock of sheep on the summit

Munro summit #2

Carn an Righ

View to Aosda and Lochnagar in the background

Lochnagar

Now it was just the matter of the walk back to the Cairnwell.

The return route

Choire Dhirich again

On the route out I’d spied a path up and over point 873, so decided we’d give that a go

Path up to point 873

Unfortunately it had a cairn on it and Benjamin (desperate for his 13 inch stuffed crust meat feast pizza ) tried to convince me we had arrived at Munro summit number 3. I, on the other hand, was having none of it and pointed instead to the delightfully decorated summit of the Cairnwell and explained that that was where we were headed

Joshua on the final push to summit of the Cairnwell

To be fair, it didn’t take long, although by now my youngest, Joshua, was losing interest I think We made it to the summit though, but didn’t stay too long. As much as I do like these hills I don’t like that summit

Munro summit #3

Descent was via the steepish, direct route following the chair lift The boys certainly enjoyed this final section, as it gave them the chance to slip on their arses a few times Back at the car in around 4 hours 50 mins, so pleased with that

Pano heading back down

At the top of the descent

Benjamin posing on the way down

View back up our descent route from near the roadside

All in all though this was a great day Great to be out on the hills with my boys Enjoying a bit of bonding

Did they enjoy it? They’re boys, so the best I could manage from them was “It was alright”. I’ll take that as a yes

And for the record Benjamin definitely enjoyed his 13 inch stuffed crust meat feast pizza that evening

[Bod]

Nice one PeteR, well done you! The boys look very at home and comfortable there on the hill

[weaselmaster]

Glad you got out with them, Pete.
Good luck with the "infecting" process
I last took my lad - then about 19 - out to climb the Merrick a couple of summers ago and was rewarded with "what's the point of going up a hill just to come back down??" -obviously he's impervious to infections of this sort

[Sarah86]

I must confess I often have the thought of pizza on my mind when on the hills Always crave something unhealthy on the route back down! I know as you say many don't rate these hills too highly but ignoring the scars on the hillside I think the views are lovely.

[johnkaysleftleg]

"It was alright" sounds like a glowing endorsement from a teenager

[GillC]

Hey,,at that age, my folks had given up trying to drag me up hills,,,id park myself on a rock, fold my arms and tell them to get me on the way back down,,,,oh how times have changed,

Well done the boys,,,good wee scrambly hills,,keeps it interesting for them,

[The Rodmiester]

They soon will be at you to take them up more hills What I want to know is when is the proposed camping trip?

[jonny616]

Well done on getting the bouys out and up. I have had varying success with my three kids. Had thought about these for there next trip and you've sealed the deal

[The Rodmiester]

Well done on getting the bouys out and up. I have had varying success with my three kids. Had thought about these for there next trip and you've sealed the deal

Ideal starting point, choice of 1,2 or 3 hills and there is the Caf'e at the bottom for a cuppa afterwards

[ChrisW]

Fantastic report Pete, great to see your lads out with you enjoying (well you know...teenage enjoying ) the day. I quite liked those three when I did them but thought it was because I had heard so much bad stuff about them that I was expecting a nightmare of concrete and steel Anyway, really enjoyed this mate, it'll be interesting to see if they ask to go again.......

[dogplodder]

Well done those boys and well done you for getting them out there. Good choice of hills and think these are the best pics I've seen of these 3.

[Collaciotach]

Terrible trying to infect the weans

[PeteR]

Nice one PeteR, well done you! The boys look very at home and comfortable there on the hill

Thanks Bod. I just need to give some thought to a hill or two for their next visit now

[PeteR]

Glad you got out with them, Pete.
Good luck with the "infecting" process
I last took my lad - then about 19 - out to climb the Merrick a couple of summers ago and was rewarded with "what's the point of going up a hill just to come back down??" -obviously he's impervious to infections of this sort

Their mother was gob-smacked that I actually got them out, so at may yet come for me too

[PeteR]

I must confess I often have the thought of pizza on my mind when on the hills Always crave something unhealthy on the route back down! I know as you say many don't rate these hills too highly but ignoring the scars on the hillside I think the views are lovely.

Cheers Sarah. My eldest just thinks of food, from the moment he wakes to the moment he nods off I don't think he needed a hills as an excuse