Stay Local

[kevsbald]

With the plunging temperatures, considerable snowfall and the omnipresent cabin fever, I had to get out of Glasgow and head for the hills. Perhaps ambitiously, I thought I would attempt Ben Venue, a wee Graham not far from Callander. Short enough day out to be home in time for Eastenders. Not that I watch that mince. I arrived at the car park, perhaps unsurprisingly to find it under twa fit o snow. No matter, I advanced 40 years to OAP-dom and checked in with the Loch Achray hotel. Sure, it was okay to park out back but I'd need to put a deposit down on a room that I'd share with my old and putrid other half in 2050. I then headed off into the trees and made good time. I had gone 100m in less than 5 minutes. It was pretty clear that the snow had occluded a few routes through the trees and as I sank deeper and deeper into the white stuff, I checked my watch. I had been on the go an hour and had literally walked 1 km. Was I kidding myself? No, there's the hill poking out in the distance. Onwards and upwards. After another hour of floundering along the 'track', I took stock and checked my altimeter. 300m and 2 km into the trek. This was mental. At my current rate of speed, I would be back at the hotel in time for my shix shlices of shirloin shteak and ovaltine. No, time to bail out and admit that the conditions, while beautiful, were not conducive to progress on this insurmountable behemoth of the Scottish Highlands. Mount Venue had beaten the man. Nice low level round trip though.

Mount Venue and Loch Venachar

See if Jack Nicholson pops out, I'm outta here

Ben Vane looking serene

I can see you peeking out

Ben Vane again...

[LeithySuburbs]

No, time to bail out and admit that the conditions, while beautiful, were not conducive to progress

wish I'd done the same on my little adventure .

[rockhopper]

I take it Jack was also stuck in the snow pity about the depth of snow but at least you got out and got some nice pictures

[Alastair S]

Powder can be a pain Snow conditions over here seem to be progressing nicely (once you get to 600-700m at least).

ps shouldn't that be "Grahams not included on this walk: Ben Venue"

[mountain coward]

Like the great light on that first pic. Were the hotel being serious? couldn't you just buy a drink from them when you got back like they say at the Lawers Hotel?

[kinley]

hard work this snow.

Nice just to get out though

[monty]

That sounds like real hard work Kev. You could have done with a short pair of skis. At least you got out. I have been hibernating for a month

[mountain coward]

Funnily enough Monty, you look like a hedgehog! (j/k)

[monty]

Have you been drinking MC

[mountain coward]

Oh no, I don't drink and post... can't imagine who would!