free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
I'm quite new to this, bear with me.
I've only taken up hillwalking in september of this year and unfortunately I don't get much of a chance to hit the hills due to work commitments so I try to make the most of it when I can. Once a month is the going rate since I began, which isn't too shabby with all said and done. Certainly a marked increase on where I was this time last year!
Anyhoo, I may regale you with my previous exploits later, but I'll start with my most recent one. Carn a'Mhaim on sunday 23rd Jan 2011. My first munro.
I set off from Aberdeen at 6am, reaching the Linn of Dee at around 0730ish. After my first experience of the Linn of Dee composting toilet I set about getting my belongings together. Having scouted the route on the site I decided to bike the first stretch to Derry Lodge , so I popped the wheel onto my bike, secured it, got my bag onto my back and headed out through the woods with my headtorch shining. All was going peachy until I encountered some sheets of ice on the path, so my bike ride became a little more laboured as I had to get off and push quite regularly. Not to be dissuaded I pushed on and luckily the path became more suitable. Not far along the path, with the sky's lightening, I caught my first glimpse of my target, Carn a'Mhaim.
I arrived at Derry Lodge just in time for the sun coming over the glens. Unfortunately I snapped no photos at this point. Ah, hindsight. Unsure where the usual spot for bike storage is, I secured mine to the side of the bridge over the Derry Burn and headed off on foot. The going was good, minus a few sections of ice determined to see me slip. Though the clouds were looking a tad manacing sitting atop the hill.
Undaunted I crossed the Luibeg Burn at the ford.
I was following a map and the route guide from this forum which I'd printed out, the guide said to follow the path as it spurs off directly up the hill. But I couldn't see any path, so I carried on down the path to Corrour for a little bit until I realised that I'd clearly went too far. Perhaps the path was obscured by a patch of snow, I thought. Cutting my losses I decided not to head back in an attempt to find the path and just tackled the hill in front of me. Clambering over heather and rocks I spotted a mountain hare and my first ptarmigan also, again no snaps unfortunately, both moved far too quickly once they saw me reaching for my camera.
By now I'd pretty much resigned myself to having zero visibility at the summit.
Though I did get a nice view back down to the Linn of Dee whilst on my way up.
I eventually found the path, once I got my bearings and the going was easier after this. Eventually at about 1045 I arrived at the summit and sure enough, the views were terrible. I'd hoped for a glimpse of Devils Point at least but even that was hidden from me. This pic was taken as I was eating my lunch sarnies (a tad early!) and got a rare break in the clouds.
I spent about 15 minutes at the top convinced that the clouds were just about to clear in a minute, minutes came and minutes went and the clouds still sat there quite content with their rogueish behaviour.
Realising I'd made reasonable time, It crossed my mind to head over the ridge to Ben Macdui. But I decided not to, save it for another day. Firstly because I doubted I'd be able to appreciate the views and secondly I didn't much fancy getting lost over country I haven't seen before. My map reading/compass skills are... better than the average Joe on the street, but certainly far off perfection. So I headed back down the way I came. I encountered another pair of walkers just after leaving the summit, other than that I saw nobody else while walking. The journey down was ok, I must get myself slightly thicker socks or a pair of liners though, my feet were shifting about quite a bit and rubbed a nice wee blister on my little toe.
I grabbed my bike back at Derry Lodge and headed back to the car. I arrived at the car park just before 2pm.
My first completed mumro, hopefully more to follow. Any tips/critique appreciated.