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My report is written on behalf of the club I belong to.
The Forfar and District Hill Walkers Club The day started very early with an alarm call at 4am. Met the others at the usual meeting place at 6am to car share a longish journey over to Rannoch Station. There was a large group of us but there was 4 different routes that members could walk and enjoy which we had made final arrangements for before catching the train to Corrour Station.
Aboard the train, I was impressed at the size and comfort factor of the compartment we sat in and we were just enjoying our luck when in walks a conductor who asked us to vacate the compartment and “go to the back of the train” as we were in the wrong bit.
Once at Corrour Station and everyone knew where they were going, off we walked....over to the bit that serves tea and bacon butties. (Mmmm, they were delightful).
After a nice sit down, I was walking with 4 others on our route up to Leum Uilleim also known as William’s Leap.
The group heading off
Still a bit of cloud hanging about
There was a faint track and the ground was very squelchy. We walked along the river then crossed over to head up towards Tom an Eoin.
Along the river
Then up
Still a low mist but it was clearing
Views opening up
Having a sit down (Carolyn enjoying the view)
After a short break, we headed over and up the side of Leum Uilleim.
Nearing the summit
At the top
Views from this beautiful hill top (still a haze)
The black blob on right just above the ground was a bird I tried to photograph (but failed miserably)
More views
The views from the top were stunning and the pictures never really can show the beauty of it. We stopped to have lunch whilst the bees buzzed around here and there. (They were humongous and like furry golf balls).
Beginning our descent
Dribble of snow left
Ray’s leg
The gang in front (have I got B.O or something?)
Now came the tricky bit as we descended down some rocky bits. Guess it’s wet bum time.
I stopped to take a photograph
Here’s where I got a surprise. I turned around to carry on but found I had lost the group. I carried on a short way further down hoping I was heading in the same direction as the group but was unable to see them due to the steepness of this part of the walk. So, I did what any sane person would do. I stopped to take more pictures.
After 5 minutes or so, I decided to walk back up but was un sure I was heading in the right direction. I didn’t know what was best to do, so I thought I might try hollering a “hello.....?” Didn’t hear any response back from this. I dug out my whistle and peeped loudly. Still nothing. Now I felt jittery and was beginning to sweat.
Now I can imagine what you must be thinking....
I was becoming concerned now that the group was worried about me and that they were searching all over the rocks (which I found out later they were). I could see the station but even if I couldn’t, I knew which direction I needed to go into as I had my compass and I could see the rocks quite clearly (hard to miss – they were big). As long as I kept heading downwards, I knew I would eventually reach the bottom.
I’m afraid I took more pictures
The ground was boggy and very holey. It was very tricky to begin with, to manoeuvre around the Swiss cheese-like terrain. But I took my time and managed to get back down without panicking or breaking my neck.
Unbeknown to me, the group had spotted me whilst I was half way down so they followed me and reached me at the station within about half an hour. I was so relieved to see them, I can tell you. The route we were meant to take was to take us back to Rannoch Station, therefore completely missing out Corrour Station all together. One of our group had gone on ahead to complete this route on his own.
Concerned that others that had done other hills might have been waiting on us to arrive at Rannoch Station on foot, we contacted them via the Station’s landline phone and messages were left to let them know where we were and that they were to contact us at the station. No one contacted us in all the time we were at Corrour Station – (later discovered they were not long back before we got back to Rannoch).
We had about a 3 hour wait at Corrour before the train arrived to pick us up. The time passed very quickly as we sat in the sun enjoying the view, drinking tea and beer and planning the walk for next month (it’s a wonder they’re letting me come).
Some pictures during our tea break
Using my shades as a filter
Started to muck about with the settings on my camera (ok, ok, I know......)
The train picked us up and took us back to Rannoch Station. Bill (a very experienced climbing and hill walking gentleman and did complete the intended route) had arrived back just 10-15 minutes before us. The route he took was horrendous for him as it was very overgrown on the path. If I had gone that way, goodness knows when we would have arrived back.
The drive home was a pleasant one with great company. We saw a Sea Eagle float down and skim the surface of Loch Rannoch. We stopped to watch her display but she floated away to disappear amongst the trees.
So, what have I learned from this? If you don’t want to lose your group, always wash away the B.O....
Many thanks to the club, especially the members I walked with (you’re extremely patient and kind) and thank you Ray, for the quiet and very peaceful drive back home.
A short video (and yes – along footery music)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeOEJv2fR8Y[/youtube]