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So; after two months in India; surviving motorbike trips with no helmet through the city at rush hour; eating curry after curry; working too many hours; and missing Scotland; I'm back
On Landing at Heathrow my good lady was all armed (after a kiss or two) with the July issue of Trail for me to see the report on Liathach; all good...
And after a weekend in the south my reward for my two months away is a week off; so time to get reacquainted with those things called munros...
I'd decided to take on Ben Vane and Ben Vorlich; as they are unsightly red spots on my little munro map; but I didn't get that far; the weather was gorgeous so I turned right at the Killin turn and headed for Creag Mhor and Beinn Heasgarnich.
- Moo; and Ben Challum
And what a tonic; sat by the river without a care in the world as sun streamed down the valley and flooded Ben Challum with a gorgeous morning light. The sound of the water was peaceful; and the landscape so green. I've missed the lush green of Scotland!!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a7UL37ZahM[/youtube]
A new camera found its way into my luggage courtesy of the duty free shop; a pleasant two fingers to the tax man... So for the bargain price of £80 I have a Nikon S3100 if that means anything to you... To me, it means I don't need to lug the Canon equipment around when I'm just off for a quiet walk in the hills... When I'm doing photography it means sunrise or sunset; I never shoot in the day; fires on Liathach aside; so a welcome addition to the family...
So to the first ascent; after the 5 km or so along the river, a fairly steep affair up to the ridge of Creag Mhor; hmmm feeling the excess weight from the curries I think... All in all it hurt a little; but not too much...
- The hard work begins; the ascent from the river to the ridge of Creag Mhor
And soon I was atop munro number 105...
I also have another new piece of kit that needed testing; the North Face Elixir Jacket - from Webtogs, and Walk Highlands courtesy of being fortunate to win the walk report of the month for May with the Liathach report... I'll put in a plug for Webtogs; they were friendly; excited to talk about my report; and the service was second to none. I'm a fan; and I'll be using them again. And thanks to Walk Highlands also for an amazing piece of kit; the most breathable fabric they do I'm told; and I believe it; it was phenomenal. Love it
- The New North Face Elixir Jacket; and the summit of Creag Mhor :)
A fairly steep and horrible long descent follows before an almost equally steep ascent of Beinn Heasgarnich; but the pain never seems to last long; and the path made the ascent much easier than the long grass and craggy descent... Still; head down and get on with it; I will not stop till the top!! And after a very nice high level walk along the summit plateau for a kilometre or so number 106 was bagged
- Looking back at the steep descent from Creag Mhor; pick a route?
Another grassy descent takes you back to the track along the glen and you'll be back before you know it; a few deer disturbed on the way down; another gift I think; I love seeing deer in the wild; always have; always will...
My route...
And the Stats...
- The Stats... A leisurely return to the hills... :)
And to top the perfect return home; a pint of 'Waylade' at the Lade Inn...
How I love Scotland...