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.

Two munros = two knackered knees

Two munros = two knackered knees


Postby Shug » Mon May 19, 2014 10:13 am

Route description: Ben Lawers and Beinn Ghlas

Munros included on this walk: Beinn Ghlas, Ben Lawers

Date walked: 17/05/2014

Time taken: 4.5 hours

Ascent: 968m

Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).


our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



Of the last couple munros I've been up, I've suffered on the way down with a dodgy left knee. Worked out roughly how far I got before it bothered me, and decided ben lawers was within the distance so I should be ok.
Set off with left knee suitably strapped up.
I did take a couple photos, but to save me uploading them, just find the greyest object nearby, and stare at it till you see nothing but grey. That pretty much covers the view for the entire day. And rain. Lots and lots of rain.
Path up over ben ghlas to ben lawers is pretty easy to follow and well maintained. Theres even little signs pointing the way, with the exception of where the path splits by ben ghlas. (right to go up ben ghlas, left to go on bypass path round it where it joins path again to go up ben lawers)
Got to the summit of ben ghlas in little over an hour. Saw a couple folk. Kept thinking I'd reached the summit every time I found a flat bit of ground with a cairn (visibility so poor couldnt see the mountain still rising in distance.)
By the fourth cairn, it seemed I was actually at the top.
Walking along the ridge there was snow patches, some on path which I skirted round, given they merged nicely with the dismal grey surrounding me.
The views from the ridge to the surrounding mountains is stunning. Probably, all I saw was, you guessed it, grey cloud and rain.
Got to the top of ben lawers where I found a walking pole basket wedged in the trig point which nicely replaced the one I lost on the peat bogs of Sgurr Breac.
Had lunch sheltered behind the cairn before deciding to make my way back to the car. 2 hours to top including lunch. Pretty good going I thought. Left knee was doing fine.
Then my right knee decided to descend into fiery fits of agony with every downward step. Didnt take long for my left knee to join the party (ibuprofen did nothing). One guy in a group (seemed to have the air of a mountain guide about him) stopped and kindly asked if I was ok and offered to hang back with me.
I assured him I'd be fine, just a bit slower. Side stepping and walking backwards down the steeper slopes and steps seemed to ease things a little. decided on the bypass path rather than tackle a steeper descent over ben ghlas.
Nice big patch of snow gave me the opportunity to slide down a steep slope on my arse rather than endure the pain.
2 1/2 hours after leaving the summit, I made it back to the car with a combination of walking backwards, sideways and generally waddling like I'd pooped myself.
4 1/2 hours in total seemed a pretty good time given my dodgy knees.
Back at the car I discovered I hadn't closed my pocket zip properly and my car key was full of water. Remote ceased to work, but luckily the car still started.
Back home for a hot bath, a nice big bruichladdich and ordered takeaway and contemplated how much a physio is going to cost me if I ever want to climb another mountain again.
( I suspect its inflammation of bursal sack caused by illiotal band, but damned if I know how to sort it, hence the physio visit)
Shug
 
Posts: 185
Munros:10   Corbetts:7
Fionas:1   
Sub 2000:4   
Joined: Feb 18, 2014

Re: Two munros = two knackered knees

Postby Hill-loving lady » Mon May 19, 2014 7:12 pm

Oh I feel your pain! Literally!!!

Have problems with my right knee, illiotibial band syndrome treatment (ie stretches etc) did nothing to help. Ended up with MRI scan, and told at aged 46 I would need a new knee, when I'm 55 the NHS will consider it as it was only sore on the descents of the hills, which I could of course choose not to go up in the first place!!!

So, I bought walking poles, but only use one cos two makes me feel I should have a giant ball of wool and start knitting something - one does the trick tbh, especially on rough descents. My confidence is boosted, knowing that if the knee gives way, my pole will support me. I'm still slow on the descents, but decided to get out as much as possible and build up the muscle strength around the knee, to keep doing the stretches and just hope it doesn't get any worse.

So far so good, and I can cope with extended walks (Biggest was 36km on Saturday) with no problems. So don't give in, build up the strength, do the stretches recommended by the physio and if you don't already have one, buy a walking pole.

Good luck :-)
User avatar
Hill-loving lady
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 332
Munros:164   Corbetts:17
Fionas:9   Donalds:3
Sub 2000:13   Hewitts:33
Wainwrights:16   
Joined: Oct 18, 2011
Location: Dufftown, Moray

Re: Two munros = two knackered knees

Postby bar72 » Mon May 19, 2014 7:16 pm

can't believe it when i read your report about a dodgy left knee on descent. i also have bother with my knee as i have been descending on heathery ground that is almost straight down at parts.

i spoke to my father about it (who is 71 and done 22 years consecutive ben nevis hill runs) and he suggested "not to twist" you legs and keep foot straight ahead, in line with my hip, when sidestepping down steep descents. i tried this on a 14 mile circuit at the weekend and i can safely say that my knee is not giving me any bother tonight.

may be worth trying a shorter run and give it a try?
User avatar
bar72
Stravaiging
 
Posts: 192
Munros:282   Corbetts:181
Fionas:70   Donalds:67+40
Sub 2000:73   
Islands:14
Joined: Jun 14, 2012
Location: Fife

Re: Two munros = two knackered knees

Postby Shug » Tue May 20, 2014 9:34 am

Bought a pair of poles after my long and painful exit off eididh nan clach geala, (not knitted anything yet tho :wink: ) and went up Buichaille etive beag and down with no issues.
Sgurr breac was very painful to descend off (took near 2 hours longer than I anticipated) hence why I strapped up the knee for Ben Lawers.
Sadly none of that seems to have helped so off to the physio. Heres hoping they have the right magic wand in stock. While there can be many causes of it, apparently weak gluteals or hip abductors can commonly be to blame, and I do sit at a desk all day during the week.
Shug
 
Posts: 185
Munros:10   Corbetts:7
Fionas:1   
Sub 2000:4   
Joined: Feb 18, 2014

Re: Two munros = two knackered knees

Postby Sick Kid » Tue May 20, 2014 7:17 pm

I feel your pain....quite literally :?
Both my knees a jiggered and as most people with bad knees will tell you, descents are a killer!!!
Had physio who gave me exercises to strengthen my hips, gluts and quads and it definitely helped, I also use 2 poles at all times. I still get pain but with the help of some painkillers it's bearable and doesn't stop me getting out on the hills. I do suffer more with the big backpacking rucksack on but my good buddy becomes a bit like a pack horse on those trips now and takes the majority of our gear :wink:

Good luck with physio and hope you continue to enjoy the hills :D
User avatar
Sick Kid
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 559
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:219   Donalds:89+50
Sub 2000:364   Hewitts:26
Wainwrights:13   
Joined: Dec 2, 2013
Location: Sunny Gourock by the sea!

Re: Two munros = two knackered knees

Postby spiderwebb » Tue May 20, 2014 8:31 pm

Try Duct tape below the knee, heard it can work......dont laugh met a guy who used it, no idea why and no idea how he came to try it in the first place, but as they say if it works dont knock it :D
User avatar
spiderwebb
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1515
Munros:97   Corbetts:15
Fionas:3   Donalds:1
Hewitts:108
Wainwrights:68   
Joined: May 18, 2011
Location: Miltonduff, Elgin

Re: Two munros = two knackered knees

Postby londonwalker » Sat May 31, 2014 4:12 pm

My knees aren't too bad - even down hills. But I do get a terrible pain in the head after drinking lots of whisky :D
User avatar
londonwalker
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 138
Munros:282   Corbetts:89
Fionas:1   Donalds:18
Hewitts:48
Wainwrights:2   
Joined: Jul 1, 2010

Re: Two munros = two knackered knees

Postby Shug » Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:27 am

bar72 wrote: spoke to my father about it (who is 71 and done 22 years consecutive ben nevis hill runs) and he suggested "not to twist" you legs and keep foot straight ahead, in line with my hip, when sidestepping down steep descents. i tried this on a 14 mile circuit at the weekend and i can safely say that my knee is not giving me any bother tonight.

Your father is a wise man :clap:
Just back from a week n bit in spain, and did a spot of walking in the Picos de Europa. First day in spain did a coastal walk and started to feel the knee twinge. Remembered your post about keeping foot straight, and noticed that when I walked my knee was 'rolling' out the way a little. Keeping my feet in line and making sure my knees stayed in line pretty much eliminated any pain.
Couple days later did a 24km walk with no problems.
Still not been to a physio but I'll wait n see how I get on, on a munro first (paths in spain were a bit better than the average scottish hill!)
Other muscles started to hurt from exertion but changing the way I walk would do that. Knees stayed strong and healthy as long as I remembered to walk the right way.
Shug
 
Posts: 185
Munros:10   Corbetts:7
Fionas:1   
Sub 2000:4   
Joined: Feb 18, 2014

Re: Two munros = two knackered knees

Postby bar72 » Sat Jun 21, 2014 9:06 pm

good to hear Shug! i've had to cut the multi circuits back for the time being due to my knee. on the plus side, the girfriend and kids are happy to do one or two with me where they wouldn't before. All the best!
User avatar
bar72
Stravaiging
 
Posts: 192
Munros:282   Corbetts:181
Fionas:70   Donalds:67+40
Sub 2000:73   
Islands:14
Joined: Jun 14, 2012
Location: Fife

Re: Two munros = two knackered knees

Postby Shug » Tue Aug 12, 2014 1:01 pm

Another wee update, after a week in Sutherland I think I can say problem gone.
Quinag, Ben Stack, Arkle, Foinaven and the steps down to Smoo cave all conquered without the slightest twinge.
:D
I owe yer dad a dram I think bar72 :lol:
Shug
 
Posts: 185
Munros:10   Corbetts:7
Fionas:1   
Sub 2000:4   
Joined: Feb 18, 2014

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: ag17, dougal, g123, scribe64, Sezorgan and 87 guests