Ben Challum Police Call

[seamus0]

Ben Challum is one of those hills I always fancied doing in the winter given that is has easy access from a road, is not that exposed, and requires minimal navigation as its a straight up and back down the same route. I camped out at Auchtertyre farm just near the railway bridge the night before as I had arrived quite late in the day. Little did I know this would involve a call from the police the day later!

Car Park Sign at farm

The next day I packed up after a relatively cozy night in my tent. I packed up and walked back to my car which was parked at the car park at the farm. I took my tent out and sprawled it on the back seat to dry, then headed off to climb Ben Challumn. The route was relatively simple to follow.

Start of walk

I walked through the Wigwam huts towards the railway bridge, following their signposted "sheep trail".

Walk through the wigwams

Railway bridge

Climbing over a fence I then headed up NE. The ground was quite 'hilly' for want of a better word, with small hillocks that require negotiation.

Hilly start

On the way up I got great views of the Crianlarich hills and Ben Lui in the distance.

Ben Lui in background

I didn't hit the snow line until around 600m. The snow was quite soft and crampons weren't required, however there were several folks coming off the hill with them on. They confirmed it wasn't necessary.

On the way up I stopped to take several photos enjoying the surrounding scenery.

Crianlarich Hills

Ben chillum is made of 2 tops. Upon reaching the top of the climb, you could be fooled to think you had reached the top as there is a cairn at 998m. however this is only the south top. The actual top is around 500m further North and another small climb up. All in all around 3 hrs to get there at a slow pace.

South Top

North Top in distance

Fellow walkers making their way up

Reaching the Top

Ben Challum Panorama

After spending 15 mins enjoying the fantastic panorama, I came down the same route, and heard a beep beep from my phone. I took the time to listen to my messages one of which was from Police Scotland asking them to phone them as soon as possible, At this point I thought my car had been broken into or worse. After giving them a call I was informed the lady in the farm shop was worried that my car had been left overnight and was still there the next day in the car park. She had thought I had an accident in the hills and was about to phone the mountain rescue! Apparently the police had come to my car, saw my tent in the back seat, and guessed I was up the hill still. just as well! I wouldn't want to think the mountain rescue would be called out on an whim....

So when I got back down, I called into the farm shop and spoke to the lady. We did see the funny side of it, but at the same time she did say a similar instance happened a month ago where a chap did get lost in the hills. It does make you think. so I guess the moral of the story is if your car is going to be parked up overnight leave a note in the shop to let them know. Leaving a note in the car leaves it open to invitation! I did buy some stuff off her to say thanks for her concern.

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[ballarat]

nice report and pics,well done to the lady in the shop