walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Mission accomplished and with room to spare

Mission accomplished and with room to spare


Postby Backpacker » Sun Oct 13, 2013 10:13 am

Munros included on this walk: Meall Buidhe (Glen Lyon), Stùcd an Lochain

Date walked: 12/10/2013

Time taken: 6.5 hours

Distance: 17 km

Ascent: 1277m

1 person thinks this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

I was quite excited when I got up, bagging my 50th, not bad when I started the year with 1.

I packed the car up and headed once again up to Glen Lyon. The drive from Gourock to Crianlarich was gorgeous, barely a cloud in the sky, just east of Crianlarich, my heart sank, fog, all the way through Killin and up on to the Ben Lawers road. Spirits were raised when I got up to about 300M not a cloud in the sky, result.

When I parked up, I was the only car there, booted up and set off, followed the road down towards the dam, jumped the gate and set off, took the path at the cairn and squelch, it was to remain like this till the fence posts about 300M higher up. Followed this path to above the boat house, then the path (if you could call it that) heads straight up. There had been a hard frost the night before and where it was sheltered had turned to ice, I tried best I could to stick to sides as I huffed and puffed my up eventually hitting the line of fence posts. I took the time here to have a breather and soak up some of the views before heading on my way. once past the initial wee steep bit, the walk round was an absolute joy, cracking views, nice icy wind just fantastic. Bit more huffing and puffing required for the last wee pull up to the summit and wow, what a view but unknown to me, the best was yet to come. I stopped for a bite to eat and a quick ciggie before making my way back down, it was quick progress till I hit the "path" few places where I had to watch my footing but before too long I was back on the track heading back to the cars. I stopped for another bite a ciggie and to dump anything I didn't need. A glance at the clock meant it only took me 3 and a half hours to get up and down, not bad.

Image
DSCF0130 by GaryE1872, on Flickr

Image
Stuchd an Lochain Summit Cairn by GaryE1872, on Flickr

Once I was sorted I headed off to tackle Meall Buidhe, now for whatever reason, I found this to be a bit of struggle initially, my legs were refusing to work properly, nevertheless I squelched my way up through the heather and never ending bog, just taking my time to let my body catch up up with my brain. Finally after many failed attempts at bog jumping I was at the first top. The views from here were outstanding Glencoe to my left, Cairngorms straight ahead and a nice wee ridge walk just to finish the day. Once at the summit cairn I must have spent a good 10-15 minutes just staring at what was in front of me, quite possibly the best view I've had from any summit this year, I wish I knew how to get a panoramic on my camera. Another quick ciggie and with a spring in my step I headed back down, going down was pretty much the same as coming up, never been so thankful (again) to hit dry land and with that it was back to the car for the drive back.

Image
DSCF0146 by GaryE1872, on Flickr

Image
DSCF0144 by GaryE1872, on Flickr

Image
Meall Buidhe Summit Cairn by GaryE1872, on Flickr

remaining photos can be found at the link below

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151957555821926.1073741847.545136925&type=1&l=10f8d78425
Last edited by Backpacker on Sun Oct 13, 2013 11:11 am, edited 3 times in total.
User avatar
Backpacker
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1403
Munros:18   Corbetts:115
Fionas:38   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:57   Hewitts:2
Wainwrights:3   Islands:4
Joined: Jan 8, 2013

Re: Mission accomplished and with room to spare

Postby jupe1407 » Sun Oct 13, 2013 11:05 am

Well done mate.

I remember when we did the Lawers Range in June you were on 3 before that. Some going like :lol:
User avatar
jupe1407
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1501
Munros:269   Corbetts:52
Fionas:12   
Sub 2000:7   
Islands:6
Joined: May 15, 2012
Location: Forfar

Re: Mission accomplished and with room to spare

Postby Backpacker » Sun Oct 13, 2013 11:14 am

jupe1407 wrote:Well done mate.

I remember when we did the Lawers Range in June you were on 3 before that. Some going like :lol:


Cheers bud, think the combination of lots of free time and decent weather has helped
User avatar
Backpacker
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1403
Munros:18   Corbetts:115
Fionas:38   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:57   Hewitts:2
Wainwrights:3   Islands:4
Joined: Jan 8, 2013

Re: Mission accomplished and with room to spare

Postby jupe1407 » Sun Oct 13, 2013 11:42 am

Backpacker wrote:
jupe1407 wrote:Well done mate.

I remember when we did the Lawers Range in June you were on 3 before that. Some going like :lol:


Cheers bud, think the combination of lots of free time and decent weather has helped


Aye, it's been a cracking summer.
User avatar
jupe1407
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1501
Munros:269   Corbetts:52
Fionas:12   
Sub 2000:7   
Islands:6
Joined: May 15, 2012
Location: Forfar

Re: Mission accomplished and with room to spare

Postby Backpacker » Sun Oct 13, 2013 3:05 pm

jupe1407 wrote:
Backpacker wrote:
jupe1407 wrote:Well done mate.

I remember when we did the Lawers Range in June you were on 3 before that. Some going like :lol:


Cheers bud, think the combination of lots of free time and decent weather has helped


Aye, it's been a cracking summer.


Aye, here's hoping for the same again next year, I'm aiming for the ton this time next year :D
User avatar
Backpacker
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1403
Munros:18   Corbetts:115
Fionas:38   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:57   Hewitts:2
Wainwrights:3   Islands:4
Joined: Jan 8, 2013

Re: Mission accomplished and with room to spare

Postby Doghouse103 » Sun Oct 13, 2013 3:19 pm

Well done Garry your fairly ticking them off now!! Great pictures and you had beauitul day. Is that it now for the year?
User avatar
Doghouse103
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 40
Munros:282   Corbetts:14
Fionas:7   
Islands:12
Joined: Nov 15, 2011
Location: Nairn

Re: Mission accomplished and with room to spare

Postby Backpacker » Sun Oct 13, 2013 3:37 pm

Doghouse103 wrote:Well done Garry your fairly ticking them off now!! Great pictures and you had beauitul day. Is that it now for the year?


Cheers Jim,

I'll probably try and squeeze one or two more in, Mount Keen is looking favourite, 1st weekend in November
User avatar
Backpacker
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1403
Munros:18   Corbetts:115
Fionas:38   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:57   Hewitts:2
Wainwrights:3   Islands:4
Joined: Jan 8, 2013

Re: Mission accomplished and with room to spare

Postby jaybee » Sun Oct 13, 2013 6:07 pm

Hi Backpacker

I know exactly what you mean about the drive through the fog after an early start.
We were early up for a walk up Schiehallion yesterday. From clear starry skies in Clacks to fog banks on the A9 all the way past Aberfeldy.
Reward was a perfect frosty / crisp autumnal morning, blue skies and the most amazing clear views from the summit.
We sat for what felt like hours out of the wind on the top, listening to the stags roaring and soaking it up. Didn't want to leave but it soon got busier and home was calling.
Congrats on your speedy 50. Think it might be a few more years for me!

Jaybee
User avatar
jaybee
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 62
Munros:9   Corbetts:4
Fionas:2   Donalds:2
Joined: Nov 7, 2011
Location: Isle of Skye - finally made it!

Re: Mission accomplished and with room to spare

Postby Backpacker » Sun Oct 13, 2013 6:18 pm

jaybee wrote:Hi Backpacker

I know exactly what you mean about the drive through the fog after an early start.
We were early up for a walk up Schiehallion yesterday. From clear starry skies in Clacks to fog banks on the A9 all the way past Aberfeldy.
Reward was a perfect frosty / crisp autumnal morning, blue skies and the most amazing clear views from the summit.
We sat for what felt like hours out of the wind on the top, listening to the stags roaring and soaking it up. Didn't want to leave but it soon got busier and home was calling.
Congrats on your speedy 50. Think it might be a few more years for me!

Jaybee


From my vantage point on Meall Buidhe, Schiehallion looked absolutely stunning. Quite possibly the best views I've had all year.
User avatar
Backpacker
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1403
Munros:18   Corbetts:115
Fionas:38   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:57   Hewitts:2
Wainwrights:3   Islands:4
Joined: Jan 8, 2013

Re: Mission accomplished and with room to spare

Postby Gordie12 » Sun Oct 13, 2013 6:32 pm

Hi Backpacker

Fantastic weekend to be out on the hills!

Impressive speed for the first 50, next target of the ton shouldn't take you long at that rate.

I did these two on a boiling hot day in the summer with clegs feeding on me pretty much non stop - I wish I had done Stuchd an Lochan 1st as I found the climb up from the lochside hard going having already done Meall Buidhe.
User avatar
Gordie12
Wanderer
 
Posts: 2152
Munros:114   Corbetts:65
Fionas:30   Donalds:38+0
Sub 2000:35   Hewitts:37
Wainwrights:32   
Joined: Sep 6, 2012
Location: Nr Forfar

Re: Mission accomplished and with room to spare

Postby Backpacker » Sun Oct 13, 2013 6:56 pm

Gordie12 wrote:Hi Backpacker

Fantastic weekend to be out on the hills!

Impressive speed for the first 50, next target of the ton shouldn't take you long at that rate.

I did these two on a boiling hot day in the summer with clegs feeding on me pretty much non stop - I wish I had done Stuchd an Lochan 1st as I found the climb up from the lochside hard going having already done Meall Buidhe.


I'm glad I did it the way I did, saved the best views for last plus I doubt my legs would have carried me up Stucd an Lochan, the 1st 400M or so were a right slog
User avatar
Backpacker
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1403
Munros:18   Corbetts:115
Fionas:38   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:57   Hewitts:2
Wainwrights:3   Islands:4
Joined: Jan 8, 2013

Re: Mission accomplished and with room to spare

Postby SMRussell » Sun Oct 13, 2013 7:43 pm

Some cracking snaps. Did these in winter and missed out on much of the views. Always a pain when your body is out of sync with your brain. RTMcB and I take a block of jelly up the hills with us - light, full of sugar and quick to digest for a little energy boost. This week's flavour was tangerine :D
User avatar
SMRussell
 
Posts: 530
Munros:184   Corbetts:20
Fionas:16   Donalds:34
Sub 2000:21   Hewitts:122
Wainwrights:103   Islands:11
Joined: Aug 8, 2011
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Re: Mission accomplished and with room to spare

Postby Backpacker » Sun Oct 13, 2013 7:51 pm

SMRussell wrote:Some cracking snaps. Did these in winter and missed out on much of the views. Always a pain when your body is out of sync with your brain. RTMcB and I take a block of jelly up the hills with us - light, full of sugar and quick to digest for a little energy boost. This week's flavour was tangerine :D


I might try this next year, I usually just take a couple of Mars Bars and crisps with me
User avatar
Backpacker
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1403
Munros:18   Corbetts:115
Fionas:38   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:57   Hewitts:2
Wainwrights:3   Islands:4
Joined: Jan 8, 2013

1 person thinks this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).




Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: axelmathot, Collaciotach, emmajay1403, jmcgrath34, Mouse1903, s1holland, x5lejo2 and 71 guests