A Six Year Old Monster Found on the Buch!

[andrewdoggett]

I fell in love with Victoria's children shortly after I fell head over heels with her; when I first them; they were fun; lively; outgoing; confident; affectionate; well mannered.... And I could go on... They're my children now; and they're my family; so a chance to welcome them to my back garden meant mountains! And their first munro...

I pondered; which one was it to be; before settling on the Buch; it had to be the Buch... No blue pin for me today; I've already had the pleasure of this ridge; but it needed to be a special memory for them; they love to clamber about; and being so close to a road; this seemed an obvious choice with no long walk in. Mum needed a good wilderness fix too; and well I'll come back here again; I love this mountain...

As we topped out on Rannoch Moor and rounded the corner to the sight of Buachaille Etive Mor; we had two very excited children in the car pointing and screaming with excitement. I told them I thought it was too hard for them and we should pick an easier one, but we could have a crack if they wanted with a wink in my eye... Easy they said... The Buch it is...

So, meet my baby girl Megan (8) and my boy, Sam (6)...

We're going to climb the Buch!

Craig, my good friend also joined us with his stunning black labrador; Rocco (the goat). The weather was looking great and we were all set for a stunning day in the hills. Bliss...

Craig on the bridge at the start of the walk with Megan and Sam

The route ahead; straight up the corrie...

If any of you are wondering how you get a six year old to climb a mountain without whining; despite this strange pain in the legs that they have no idea what is; then it's simple... Lollies...

We made fairly short work of the corrie; one stop half way up for drinks and lollies and the first sign of monsters munching on the Buch...

Sam was our lead climber / route finder and he was fairly flying up the mountain. What were large steps to us adults were full on climbing and scrambling for him... He loved it from the word go.

It was fun all the way up; with team boys largely leading team girls; well you'd expect that hey We stopped for photos on the steep bit; the favourite bit for the kids; fun they thuoght scrambling up.

And it wasn't long before four monsters mysteriously topped out on the main ridge with just the one perfectly timed stumble for the video...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8E0juAI260[/youtube]

Those of you that know this mountain will know that the hard work is now all done; and it's a simple stroll to the summit of the Buch. We headed straight on up pausing briefly for a pre-summit video interview...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwKDAftnbQU[/youtube]

We spent well over an hour on the summit; well why not; I mean where else would you want to be... We were on the edge of space; and everything about it was perfect...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhNHw1qJgNM[/youtube]

Thanks to Craig; my kids loved him; and after my two months away in India was good to catch up in the hills... A cracking day in the hills where we just had fun in my back garden; the monsters said it was the biggest back garden they had ever seen They'll be back for a week in August, and we have a week in Torridon in October all booked up

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0VuCxKibb4[/youtube]

To hell with the TV and Computer Games I say; when you have a back garden like this they're not required... Will my boy complete them all; maybe; I doubt it; that's my challenge; not his; but you never know...

As long as they both pursue their dreams and have their own adventures; whatever and wherever they end up being; then I'll be one happy Daddy;

Today, I'm content with just being Buch'ing proud of them; if you'll pardon my French...

[monty]

What a lovely report Andrew. Well done on the two youngsters doing a big hill. Certainly beats sitting in with computer games or watching T.V. Superb

[Johnny Corbett]

Great!I love seeing kids up the hills, so much better than on a games consule.

[morag1]

A lovely report Andrew, the four of you look so happy on the hills

Here's wishing you all many more happy days in the great outdooors

Ps always enjoy looking at your photos, you have a real talent

[lomondwalkers]

Great stuff Andrew, I love how the monsters look so enthusiastic about the walk. We have taken our 2 girls out on smaller hills a few times and all theyve done is moan....maybe we should go for the bookil too, who wouldnt want to climb that as you drive towards it from Rannoch Moor??? Brilliant effort by the kids

[Mainser]

A great report and struck so many chords with me - I did it with my 10 year old daughter several years ago, but living in the South East of England never got to do too many with her, now as a teenager, I doubt she will do any for a while, but hopefully when she is older its something that she may be inspired to do again.

Took my youngest who was 4 at the time up Ben Hope last year and she loved it, be up in a similar area again in August so maybe catch another with her

[skuk007]

Great report Andrew, good to see all the smiling faces even after what must have been a hard walk.

[andrewdoggett]

Thanks all - I too like seeing kids oot and aboot; that's where they should be

A great report and struck so many chords with me - I did it with my 10 year old daughter several years ago,

It's all about creating memories... I'm glad this reminded you of some happy ones

A lovely report Andrew, the four of you look so happy on the hills

Thank you... They're special people; and life's too short not to be happy and larking about having fun...

Ps always enjoy looking at your photos, you have a real talent

Blush - thank you, but think you must have me confused with some of the other shooters - loads of great shots on this site from everyone...

What a lovely report Andrew. Well done on the two youngsters doing a big hill. Certainly beats sitting in with computer games or watching T.V. Superb

Thanks Monty - I'm training the boy to keep up with you

[pollyh33]

Andrew,

What a beautiful report. More a heart-warming account than a hillclimbing one! Totally loved the photo of you all bunched together lying on the grass. No wonder you hate being away from your family, they are adorable.!

No need to tell you how lucky you are, you already know it!!

[rockhopper]

Enjoyed that - great to see the kids out and an icon with which to start My two used to do a bit of walking with their "old man" but it's not apparently not "cool" for teenagers now - keep their enthusiasm going and they may yet overtake you

[Jockstar]

Wonderful account of a great familiy day out, and what a beauty to climb. Well done to all of you and I'm sure there will be many more days like that to come. Beats sitting in at home wondering what to do !

[mountain-ju-drop]

Fab to see children out enjoying the hills and the challenge and they are so cute too!

My 3 have got their own bagging maps now and love the walking .... and the competition!

[Graeme D]

Brilliant! What it's all about! I so look forward to when our wee girl can do this!

[gammy leg walker]

A really heart warming report Andrew,great to see you & your family enjoying there day out,my oldest lassie has climbed 3 munros,but not sure if she really enjoyed her self or not,would love to see a picture of her & alan s(from the site) & my 2 grandweans on top of this one(can dream),once again great report

[old danensian]

Smashing report Andrew - great to see the enthusiasm you've sparked.

A great one for them to claim as their first, but like Rockhopper I'm booking it for my 100.

OD