Lucy the Labrador's first Munro

[kirstyfc]

My parents are avid walkers but they haven't done a Munro before and we decided today to put their usual Saturday walk with my avid bagging. Our dog Lucy also hadn't done a Munro before but it was of course going to be no problem for her
I had Schiehallion in mind as it would be easy and close enough to Glasgow but my mum was unsure of the boulder field at the top so we went for my back up of Meall Buidhe - also easy and super short. I had done its neighbour Stuchd an Lochan with my brother last Hogmanay and we had agreed to do Meall Buidhe this year but maybe I can still do it again in winter conditions!

Unsurprisingly it was busy on the way up and the Ben Lawers car park was absolutely packed out despite there being very low hanging cloud all around. I thought Schiehallion must be mega busy too so I was glad we were going to a less popular one more out of the way.

It was cloudy when we arrived but it was set to clear up later on so wasn't too worried.

The dam and Stuchd an Lochan hiding under the cloud

There was a track for a bit then it was a right to start properly climbing. It was a bit boggy but the weather this week meant it wasn't too bad.

Lucy having no issues whatsoever

Getting higher

The south summit cairn

It wasn't too far from here over to the true summit and the cloud was beginning to clear

The troubles of trying to get a photo with an excited dog

Looking back over from the summit

The summit

We then stopped for some lunch at the top but it was very still and the midgies were a nightmare!!

A very hot dog

Looking over to Rannoch Moore and Glen Coe

We then headed back down which was easy enough but then we headed too far down the ridge. There was a clear path so we followed it and must have missed one heading off to the right. When we realised what we had done it took a fair bit of cutting through the heather to get back on to the path - not a real walk without getting lost!

The dam and loch began to come back into sight and I was feeling very comfortable with how short this walk is.

It was now very hot and a lovely summer's evening - wouldn't have been the worst place to camp

My parents didn't find it tooo bad, I enjoyed how short it was and the slower pace and Lucy essentially ran it twice. Again!!

[KatTai]

Congratulations Lucy in your first Munro! Hoping to get away and do this one and it's neighbour and camp at the loch so it's nice to see some recent photos Lots of potential camping places and doesn't look as if it has been hit with the crowds!

[KrinkleyKriss]

Krinkle Krinkle Ditch and Bog,
What a sexy little dog,
Krinkle Krinkle Rumble Hiss,
Shes caught the eye of ol Kriss,
Krinkle Krinkle Tree and Log,
Again I say oh what a dog,
Krinkle Krinkle Rumble Hiss,
Soon Lucy will receive a Krinkley Kiss

[Graeme D]

I have many fond memories of hill days spent with another Lucy the Lab.