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I was inspired to attempt this route by walk reports from monty and dooterbang so thanks guys!
Left Gourock, quick stop at Tesco in Port Glasgow then on my way just after 4.00 am.
Parked, geared up and walking by 6.30 am.
How hard could it really be?
13.5 hours and 29.1 kilometres (18 miles) later I would know
Even with a pack full of water and Lucozade Sport I knew I’d never have adequate fluids for this length of walk
so my plan was to take it easier than usual and enjoy a long day on the hills.
About 5 minutes after starting out, crossing the first bridge, I was pleasantly surprised by the sight of a large Stag standing still, mid stream. I stopped and watched him for around 10 minutes before setting off again.
Easy route to follow in clear weather although I missed the second bridge and had to back track slightly to cross the river.
My plan was to complete the first 3 Munros then decide whether or not to add the next 2.
Looking back down Glen Etive.
Quite a long ascent to Ben Starav summit but easy going.
Waited here for a while to get some photos as the cloud was coming and going,
opening up some beautiful views down Loch Etive.
I continued down to the bealach then headed off to Beinn nan Aighenan, a steep but quick and easy ascent.
I pushed hard on this one as I realised I had taken it too easy and wasted quite a bit of time on Starav,
being aware however that it was getting hot and I was losing a lot of fluids.
Looking back I noticed a lone figure coming up behind me, we met on my return and it was
Robert Phillips whom I’d met a few months ago on Ben Vane. Turns out he had the same
plan as me and was going for the five as well.
I stopped for lunch at the bottom then returned to the bealach to start the ascent of Glas Bheinn Mhor.
Robert soon appeared behind me having come up a slightly different route. We chatted and ended up
doing the rest of the route together. It was good to have the company as it turned out to be a long day.
We met a few other walkers on route who were all surprised that we were doing the 5 in one day.
Robert on our 5th summit of the day, Meall nan Eun.
The descent from Meall nan Eun was relatively easy terrain but slow and hard going as my knees and feet were now aching big time. Glad to get the main descent over, it was a long painful walk through the glen to the cars.
There was nothing difficult about this walk apart from the distance which just about got me in the end.
I was fine apart from the aching knees and feet. Hats off again to monty and dooterbang for their incredible times.
Thanks to Robert for his company as it made the long trip a little easier.