walkhighlands

First attempt at Goatfell by an amateur!

Date walked: 18/10/2015

So, this is my first post...apologies in advance! Not sure I could class it as a "report" but I'll give it a go :lol:

After a previous plan to climb was scuppered due to illness, my friend and I took our opportunity on Sunday morning while we had a good weather report. We had planned to get a 7am ferry from Ardrossan til we realised there wasn't one on a Sunday...9.45 ferry it was then. In hindsight, I think a 7am ferry was a bit ambitious for us.
We arrived at a very cloudy Brodick 55mins later and caught the bus to the foot of Goatfell.
Buses are very well connected to ferry times but be prepared to stand as they are very busy!

A short bus journey later we were at our destination along with a few other climbers. No hanging about, we headed up the path as we were aiming for the 4.40 ferry home. This might seem like ample time, but I'll stress that while I'm reasonably fit...I'm not "hill fit" which I found out fairly quickly :shock:


The Challenge...
[url][url=https://flic.kr/p/A3gqWp]Image[/url]IMG_8115 by caroline torbet, on Flickr[/url]


Ready for the off...
[url][url=https://flic.kr/p/A27Cjq]Image[/url]IMG_8112 by caroline torbet, on Flickr[/url]

The day started off quite misty and cloudy but very mild...
[ImageIMG_8117 by caroline torbet, on Flickr][/url]


The clouds cleared en route...
[url][url=https://flic.kr/p/z6eKmJ]Image[/url]IMG_8178 by caroline torbet, on Flickr[/url]

[url][url=https://flic.kr/p/A27Uiu]Image[/url]IMG_8187 by caroline torbet, on Flickr[/url]


The only casualty we encoured on our walk - a wee hat left behind to survive...
[url][[url=https://flic.kr/p/zKKUrz]Image[/url]IMG_8171 by caroline torbet, on Flickr/url]

Light at the end of the tunnel...
ImageIMG_8168 by caroline torbet, on Flickr

After 2hrs 25mins we reached the summit (told you I wasn't hill fit!)...
[ImageIMG_8139 by caroline torbet, on Flickr][/url]

The views were, erm, non existant thanks to the return of some clouds :(
ImageIMG_8145 by caroline torbet, on Flickr

[url][url=https://flic.kr/p/zKDPKJ]Image[/url]IMG_8152 by caroline torbet, on Flickr[/url]

In true Scottish style, the weather changed yet again and we started the descent with some amazing views...
[url][url=https://flic.kr/p/A4de28]Image[/url]IMG_8209 by caroline torbet, on Flickr[/url]

[url][url=https://flic.kr/p/A27NPU]Image[/url]IMG_8166 by caroline torbet, on Flickr[/url]

[url][url=https://flic.kr/p/A27UHY]Image[/url]IMG_8198 by caroline torbet, on Flickr[/url]

[url][url=https://flic.kr/p/zKDZaA]Image[/url]IMG_8200 by caroline torbet, on Flickr[/url]


The route is easy enough to follow and the paths are clear and accessible. From the off it is a steady incline to the summit. Overall it's very rocky, best to have decent walking boots as anything less I could imagine would be quite sore on the feet! This was my first proper hill walk and I have to say I found it quite a challenge....exhausting on the way up and quite painful on the knees on the way down...torturous enjoyment I would sum it up as :lol: but the lure of summit views will always get me to the top!
We opted for the bus back to the ferry terminal due to aching jelly legs and caught the 4.40pm ferry where we enjoyed a well earned nice cold shandy.
The plan is to climb Goatfell until it doesn't make us walk like arthritic pensioners for 3 days afterwards...I can't wait to go back!

A beautiful end to a great day...
[url][[url=https://flic.kr/p/zKDYWQ]Image[/url]IMG_8193 by caroline torbet, on Flickr/url]

Click to mark this as a great report. Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Comments: 8


CarTor


Location: East Ayrshire
Occupation: Nurse
Interests: Reading, eating out, cinema, friends, family...and now hill walking!
Activity: Mountain Walker
Mountain: Goatfell
Gear: Waterproof boots
Ideal day out: I love nature, scenery and photos...anything incorporating this is an ideal day for me. I've only just started hill walking so I'm looking for lots of help/advice on where is best for an amateur!

Munros: 195
Corbetts: 3
Fionas: 3
Donalds: 2
Sub 2000: 2



Filter reports


Statistics

2015

Trips: 1


Joined: Oct 14, 2015
Last visited: Oct 19, 2023
Total posts: 12 | Search posts