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We did it, our very first Munro!
After agreeing to walk the West Highland Way and climb Ben Nevis for charity in September, we decided after a few months of long distance training on flat ground, it was time to tackle some height!
Original plan was to do Ben Lawers as our first and get some camping on the way but as the week before wore on, the weather looked worse and worse with closer to home looking like better weather, so the decision was made.....Mount Keen, we are coming for you!
After a last minute weather check and rain predicted, we decided to power on. With waterproofs, food and our dog Sheldon, in tow, we hit the road from the car park.
- Off we go!
- Me looking happy at the beginning
Our first few km flew by taking in the initial surroundings of the Glen we were passing through and enjoying some sunshine (with trepidation of the approaching rain) and before we knew it we had reached the Queen's Well. We stopped to take some photos and admire the view (and for Sheldon to eat a stick) then began the long ascent.
- First stop, The Queen's Well
- Sheldon taking a break
Weather remained pleasant almost the whole way up and I must say for my first Munro, I was finding it relitavely okay. Even when I saw the summit come into view I thought to myself "I reckon I can do this" We ploughed on and as we neared the summit the wind picked up drastically and my legs and feet started to struggle. By the time I was a few steps away from what I thought was the summit, I was about ready to give up, and then I saw it.....this was not the summit, we still had a LONG way to go!!
I forced myself up the last rocky climb and finally, a little bit behind my husband and Sheldon, I made it! And boy was the view worth it. I could see Bennachie in the distance, a dwarf compared to what we had just climbed but the highest I had been before now and in the distance I could even see the coastline, absolutely stunning albeit very windy.
We took some shelter and enjoyed some lunch before the first and only rain of the day came on. A couple of summit photos and we were ready to descend.
An enjoyable walk back down with the sun shining on us almost the whole way, so much so, we were down to just T-shirts by the end and finally, after a long slog, we made it back to the car just before the heavens opened.
As much as I hated it at one point, I am so extremely happy and proud to have completed a Munro and now am hungry for the next. I definitely need to get some more under my belt before taking on Nevis.....Ben Lawers and Lochnagar are next on the list so keep your eyes peeled for my walk reports.
I hope you have enjoyed my first report and that I haven't bored you too much. I have attached some pictures of our day so you can get an idea of the weather and see our new fellow canine Munro bagger. He pulled us some of the way I think and he will certainly be accompanying us on the next! Although he did sleep for the whole evening when we got home.
Finished our day with a well deserved glass of wine and a carvery and happy to report as I write this today, I am not as sore as I thought I would be!!