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This was a hill I've wanted to get out of my way for a good while. I had done it's closest neighbours so I was left to do this hill by it's self.
The weather was looking good for Wednesday and I had a quick check of the bus prices and they were good, I could get a ticket from Glasgow to Inverarnan for under £17 apex (it's normally £28). Decision made, ticket booked.
The weather was sunny when I left Glasgow at 07:13 and I was starting to freak out that I had left my sun cream at home but it worked out ok because the only 'factor' I had to worry about would be bog factor as turned out.
The bus dropped me off at the Drovers about 08:30 and I made my way along the road to the bridge and then around the field and out of the other gate which is so stupid because you still have to walk through where people are camping anyway. I found my self skipping around tent guy ropes so couldn't really see the point.
- Inverarnan & The Drovers Inn
- I have to go up there? :(
The first part of the walk reminds a bit of Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond), it's very steep and very wet but there is bracken right up against you, it was wet and I got an early socking.
- Jurassic Park
There's not much good to say about the path up, the eroded track is a stream (when it's wet obviously) or a an ultra muddy mess but the water fall is nice I suppose.
- The Falls
The steep climb gives you some good height over the campsite and you get a view across to the glen.
- Meall nan Caora
Once over the brow there's not much to see it's just a moor with some electric pylons on your right but at no point is there a decent path (don't take the road that goes to the left). If you aren't confident in your boots ability to keep out water you will be better off wearing a comfortable pair of wellies. The problem isn't the 'path' across the moorland is just wet, it faint at times and then at some points it's very deep marsh/bog with wide sections that doesn't seem to be a way around. I came to a bit that I had to take a run and jump at and when I landed on the other side I was in the mud half way up my shins and took a fall into the mud...so now I was wet and dirty.
It was at this point I remembered from one of the reports I read that the writer advised to stick to the burn to avoid the bog. I set off across country I guess you could say, luckily it wasn't that far but to be honest the path by the burn wasn't much better. I just followed the burn the best I could until I got up to the Lochan where I stopped on a large rock for some breakfast.
- The moor
- Lochan Beinn Chabhair
After breakfast it was time to set off up the next steep pull, which as you might have guessed is soggy as well.
- The way up to Meall nan Tarmachan
- Looking back over the moor
Once up the path never really improves, it's still pretty wet in places and a good few shorter steep sections to deal with. Lots of up and down here, it's like a roller coaster.
- Still a good bit to go
I'd imagine the views would be pretty good on a clear day but this wasn't a clear day so I'll just have to keep imagining that. This was the best look I got if this hills neighbour.
- The only bit of An Caisteal I got to see
I got a good view down the glen of the hydro works and they have built a shiny new road. If anybody is reading this planning to walk this hill as a stand alone I'd say don't bother walking over the moor form Inverarnan because it just the absolute worst and there's nothing of interest to see either. If I had known I would have walked right up the road and then up the side of the hill to where I was standing in the below picture cutting out all crap, probably cutting the walk time by half! Unless you're doing this hill as part of a bigger more challenging walk you're only really doing it to tick it off the list.
- Looking down at the new road
- Looking over to Lochan a' Chaisteil
Now I was a bit higher the views had disappeared so I was just following the path to summit. Once reached I didn't linger that long, not much point.
- The summit in gloom. Sums up the whole walk.
- Summit
- Looking back to the summit as I leave
I pelted it down the hill, well I went as fast as I could go without putting myself at risk and because my feet were already wet from the walk up I didn't take any measues to avoid the marsh on the way back, I was ready to get my feet 're-wettened' I was just wanting to get off this hill so badly. If I ever come to this hill ever again I won't be doing it this way that's for sure.
- My feelings made clear
I was back at the top of the falls and just working my way down the steep hill and I came across the highlight of the walk by far a knot or bunch or tangle (is there a proper word for this) of Slow Worms. Amazing. I have only seen Slow Worms in Perthshire and 1 dead one in the Aviemore so I was pretty chuffed.
- Anguis fragilis or Slow Worm, legless lizards?
I walked right through the campsite and stopped for a while to chat to some guys I met on the hill having a drink in the café there. I made my way back to the drovers and found myself with almost 4 hours to spare. I hung out in The Drovers Inn where I had a late lunch and some coffee while I waited for my bus.
- Steak & Haggis burger from the Drovers
I went and sat out in the air for a while just before my bus and there in the beer garden was another one of these little buggers.
- Another Slow Worm in the Drovers beer garden
I didn't really want to come to the computer and write a negative report, I truly didn't but I didn't really enjoy it at all so I need to get for another walk to recover from this one haha.
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(
walked alone)