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This was my first walk since 30 April and I was really looking forward to getting back out into the hills although a bit apprehensive about my fitness (despite training for a 12 hour night time endurance bike ride in Sept). I had been talking to my mate TC about walking and he decided that he wanted to give it a go. Being from South Africa and having spent a lot of time in his youth camping and walking in "Big Country" he was excited about getting back out into the "wilderness" again!
We decided to head up on Friday night to camp out giving us the possibility of an early start and the option fitness/weather permitting of tackling all 5 munros in the circuit.
First mistake was not pre pitching the tent to check suitability. No the car in the picture is not a "monster truck".
The tent was absolutely tiny. Neither TC or I are small chaps and all we could do was hope that the rain stayed off.That was the second mistake... How could it possibly not pour down in Scotland in mid July!!!! At about 2am we were woken up by a couple of Policeman who were investigating a report of flare being seen in the area. At 4am if I had had a flare for sure I would have shot it up into sky!!!! We were absolutely drenched. Because the tent was so small we couldnt help touching the sides and this allowed the water to pour in.
Only option plan B - make a hasty retreat to the comfort of the starship voyager!! We hopped in turned the engine on and heating up full blast. Reclined the captain's chairs switched the heated seats button on and ahhhh some decent sleep at last. (I wonder if I can use the voyager as a tent on future wild camps - guess it might not make the scrambling...)
So at 0845 next morning with a light drizzle we set off on the walk from the Car park at the visitor centre
Unfortunately the weather was overcast most of the day so the pictures for this report arent too great.
Although TC hadn't done any real waking for nearly 20 years he kept up a good pace and made his first munro summit (Beinn Ghlas) at 0945. Well done TC 8
- TC first munro Beinn Ghlas
After a short rest we set off for Ben Lawers. Thank god the cloud cover prevented us from seeing the climb ahead lol.
At around 300 mtrs from the summit we bumped into the first people we met all day. 3 guys on a training walk - they are doing the 3 peaks challenge next week. Good luck lads!
And then on to the summit of Ben Lawers. Although the views were very restricted the dark skies and cloud created a dramatic setting.
- looking back to Beinn Ghlas
- ben lawers in cloud
- first glimpse Ben Lawers summit
After about 45 minutes we reached the summit of Ben Lawers.
- TC munro 2
We had a quick bite to eat and decided that given the weather conditions we would save the climb up An Stuc for another day.
We dropped back down to Beleach and took the right path around Beinn Ghlas to avoid making a tiring and unnecessary second summit climb.
- take the right path to avoid Beinn Ghlas
The walk back to the car park was straight forward and pretty much down hill all the way.Not sure what this peak is but it looks like a challenging climb - anyone any ideas??
- what peak is this?
Arriving tired after 5 hours but satisfied with the days walking we decided to head into Killin for a celebratory pint and pub lunch.
Another good day out in the hills
PS Ruby sat this one out but she will be back next time - woof woof!