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This was my first day back in the Hills since early November due to my Father taking ill
his being in hospital kept me busy visiting and helping my mum
Unfortunatly he passed away a few weeks ago ,now things are getting settled
I decided it was time to get back out ,
So the target (due to the frost was Ben Challum ) hoping the bogs would be frozen over
Arriving in the layby at 8am there was no other cars so I was quickly ready
Jake on his lead and set of up the road towards Kirkton Farm
stopped to admire the small cemetery and very well kept it looks too
Soon reached the level crossing and quickly across with jake still on a lead
Once over and gates closed I let him off to walk alongside
The ground proved to be hard ideal for walking over the bogs
- Looking over towards Ben More Stob Binnein & Cruach Ardrain
We soon reached the first deer fence and once over set off directly uphill
Looking around I noticed the clag over the tops all around
So crossed my fingers it would clear
Once reaching the third fence I was into the snow line and looking up
everything was in the clag ,looking back though some of the tops were clear
Reaching the spot where the fenceline turns uphill toward the summit
I handrailed the fence on my bearing and was soon on the ascent to the
south top ,I was grateful I had put my crampons on before this part
as the going was pretty icy in some parts
- View up towards the South Top ascent
The ascent went well and we were soon at the South top
- View from just past the South Top to the summit
Stopped just past the south top for a hot cuppa and a bite to eat
and as luck would have it the views started to open up a bit
Tea over we set off along the ridge and the final short ascent to the Summit
what a joy it was and this was my 80th top in 10 months
so all the better
I sat down and took time to reflect on my recent loss ,but also to think back to
all the great times I had with my dad and thank him for introducing me to the
GREAT OUTDOORS and our beautiful countryside ,and shed a tear
- Jake on the Summit ,this guy just heads straight onto the cairns on every top we reach Lol
The clag moved back in as we were heading back to the South Top
but we were soon out of it as we started to descend from here
Halfway down the ascent I bumped into another lone walker
We shared a few minutes chatting and went out separate ways
I removed my crampons where the fenceline takes a left turn
and moving easier now I was soon down through the deer fences
the ground on the drop to the Level crossing had thawed out a bit by now
but picking my way through I made it without breaking through to the bog
From here it was a simple brisk walk back along the farm road to the layby
and the car , Ben Challum gets a LOT of negative comments
but for me on this day it was just great to be back out