walkhighlands

Ben More ...... & no more!

Route: Ben More (Mull) from Dhiseig

Munros: Ben More (Mull)

Date walked: 10/09/2022

Time taken: 5.5 hours

Distance: 9.25km

Ascent: 945m

Fisherfield was now behind me and only Ben More, Mull, lay in wait. Probably like many folks, I had thoughts of a grand climax to my round, once I started to see the finishing line i.e, the last few miles heading back to Corrie Hallie :) Big ideas of family, friends coming along, champagne summit, overnight stay etc, went through my mind, but considering everything, that just seemed too much, too slow to arrange. The months and weather are running out, people have their own plans, Mull isn't so accessible, accommodation not so easy, etc, etc.

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One wee red one awaiting.

I only had a few weeks till 10 years plus became 11 years plus and the forecast looked good for Saturday, 10th September, 2022, so that was to be the day, come what may. My usual buddies, Jasper and Lawrence, who have been with me the majority of the journey had already done Ben More, but I was delighted two good hiking chums, Barbara and Andy, could also manage along to share my special day. :clap: :clap:

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We are sailing. Sun rising above Cruachan, outbound from Oban.

Caught first ferry out of Oban. What a beautiful morning for the crossing to Craignure. Virtually flat calm, as the sun rose beyond Ben Cruachan and the large bulk carrier, Yeoman Bontrup, sitting at anchor, to satisfy my interests in ship spotting, too. Lovely drive, down to Dhiseig, which was identifiable due to the already large number of cars sitting there. After getting the gear on and devouring a block of Jane MacKenzie's famous tablet, we were on our way, just about 9am.
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Ready for the off.
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Some special fuel from Jane MacKenzie, to keep us going 🙂
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9am start. No holding big Andy back!

It isn't long till very special views over Loch na Keal, to Eorsa and Ulva Sound begin to open up. In fact, we must have walked for ages looking back the way :) There's a few paths here and there lower down, but we generally kept near the burn. At times, I was having to rein Andy in. He thinks he's a mountain goat, when in fact, he's just a goat :lol: Sorry, Andy :wink: I don't think Andy, will be too hard on me for divulging that he had major heart surgery only a few years ago and even now, his heart functions around 60% of capacity :shock: This is only his second Munro, hence the neeed for some caution.

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Sound of Ulva.
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Boat making along Loch na Keal, past the island of Eorsa. Andy, insisted it was Elba! Just goes to show he doesn't know his Eorsa from his Elba 😃
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Some traffic in the Sound of Ulva.
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Out to Coll.

There were a lot of folk out on the hill today, so wasn't much chance of us getting too lost. Ben More gradually emerges ahead, looking a bit of a tough haul, but in reality my friends made good progress, with only a wee stop now and again to rehydrate. Yes, it was warm, even for September. It looks as though the gradient will ease off once on the broad, main shoulder of the hill, but this seemed to us, like a bit of an optical illusion. The track here is generally loose scree and marked by many substantial cairns. Can't say, I see the need, or attraction of that, but hey ho :-x

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Out to Rum, Skye.
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Skye mountains. Can make out Sgurr nan Gillean and Bla Bheinn, quite clearly.
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West to Treshnish Isles.
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Isle of Mull, in the Sound of Mull, heading for Oban.

By now we were meeting some of the early ones descending, but at least that meant the summit was less crowded, as we made it onto the last stretch of ridge to the large summit shelter and little remains of trig point, at 966m. Yay, we had made it, not only Ben More, but another 281 lay behind me. I felt a few pangs of emotion, when I considered some of the many people who had helped me get to this point and life events which had happened during the last 4000 and six days - I know, who's counting :lol: Strangely, I think I felt "higher" and more emotional during my round of the Fisherfield, for some reason?

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The ubiquitous Paps.
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Along south ridge, out to Jura.

Anyway, it was great to have some friends along and I much appreciated their congratulations, along with various others on the hill, who Andy and Barbara, were more than happy to tell of my compleation :oops: Enjoyed the great views from the summit, looking back to my homeland in Mid Argyll, Paps, Iona, Coll, Tiree, Skye, Mull hills and so much more. By now we had the summit wholly to ourselves and what a truly great place to end my round! The only Munro I can see from my back door, well just about - need to use my neighbours doorstep :)

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Made it! Me, Andrew and Barbara.
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Last Munro in the bag.
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Barbara and Andy, enjoying a spot of lunch.
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A'Chioch and other Mull hills. Surprisingly impressive.
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Jimbo, quite pleased!

Took some photos and enjoyed a spot of lunch before getting back on our way down. Then I remembered what I forgot. Yes, the small hipflask of whisky, I'd stashed in my rucksack. Sacrilege! :lol: Don't worry, we found a use for it later! Had hardly went a few hundred yards when my left knee, which had suffered badly toward end of Fisherfield, began to tell me it had not gone away. Perhaps, good timing finishing the Munros now!? Likewise, poor Barbara, was suffering from a nasty blister on her heel, but not a moan did she make. I should add, Barbara is even older than my 61 years and has only done about half a dozen Munros, so, well done, Barbara! :clap:

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One must eat 🙂
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Well done, Andy. Bigheart!
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What views we had! Heading for the sea, or sky?
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Heading down.

Enjoyed a nice drink of Mull water from the burn and Andy, even took some home for that flask of whisky I mentioned :) Took various wee diversions, crossed the burn a bit lower than on the way up and took rougher track over grassier stuff, nearing Dhiseig, but that didn't present any problems and we were soon back at the car, taking best part of five and a half hours. Well pleased with ourselves, despite our various handicaps :lol:

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Lot of cars at the car park.
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Superb dram! 🙂
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Barbara and Andy, well chuffed with their day, as they should be!
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Beinn Fhada. Might make a good circuit someday?
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Another fine view up to Ben More.
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Nearly down. 5.5hrs, not bad, Barbara!
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Some nice views on Mull.
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Ben More, impressive beyond, Dhiseig.


And so, that was it, Munro #282 in the bag. Well, not quite it, as you might guess, as we still had the trek home and a bit of celebrating to do. Andy and Barbara, did the celebrating, as we enjoyed another beautiful sail back to Oban, then drove home. I really must get this driving rota right :) Once home it seemed only right to have a few pints in the Club and use up some of Andy's genuine Mull water, in a dram, or two. It was great to see my mum there and give her the biggest hug, after all, without her I could never have done it :) (don't worry, I'll get round to paying tribute to the vital others, at some point.)

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Heading back to Oban.
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Cruachan beyond Eilean Musdile Lighthouse and the Yeoman Bontrup. What a day!

Next day, I had my "compleation party," not in usual style up a Munro, but on Dunadd Fort, a famous wee hill in these parts. This meant I could be joined by a few more friends and family. Alas, my wife Pam, had too good a retiral party the night before, so chose to opt out, but thank you my darling, for all you and my family have had to put up with on my wee journey :angel:

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Special day of celebrations the following day, up Dunadd, Hill of Kings. Thanks for the Munro print and engraved glass, folks.
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Me and my girl.
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Nice wee surprise from Gavin and Susan.
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The boys having fun with "Sheshy", too.
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Thanks guys!


Finally, as one who likes figures, playing about with statistics and spreadsheets, some stats, if only for my own interest. For everyone else ..... yawn :roll: :lol:

Chief mentor - Big Jasper. Wouldn't have managed without him. 103 together, plus 36 with Lawrence. 103 solo, 4 with guide, 3 with "amateur" guide.
4007 days start date to the end date, included. Or,  10 years, 11 months, 20 days  :lol:
Total trips 136. Busiest year, 2014, 37 Munros. Busiest month for Munros, July, 50. Total distance 1619 miles, Total ascent 166926 metres, Total time 843 hours. Most trips, 21, in 2018.
"Winter Munros, Nov =16, Dec =5, Jan = 3, Feb=4, March = 15. Total 43.
Bike hikes, 18 trips, 44 munros.
Average trips p.a. = 12, average Munros p.a.=26, average miles p.a., 147, average ascent p.a. = 15175 metres, average time p.a.=76.6hrs, average time per trip 6.2hrs.
Average speed = 1.9 mph, avarage rate of ascent 198 metres per hour,
Most miles, 247 in 2018. Most ascent in year 2018 23952 metres.
68% good weather, 26% okay weather overall.
Approx 95 "repeat munros" - so far :lol:
Longest bike hike - Alder 4, 32.5 miles. Longest hike 28.5 miles Fisherfield 6. Shortest trips, Sgurr na Banachdich and
Bla Bheinn, 5.1 miles.
Least ascent Beinn na Lap 591 metres. Most ascent 2950 metres, Fisherfield 6.
Quickest trip, Beinn na Lap, 2.9 hrs (plus train) Longest duration 16.5 hrs, Fisherfield.
Slowest trip Sgurr A' Ghradaidh/Mhadaidh 0.9mph and Sgurr Alasdair 0.9 mph.
Fastest hike A' Bhuidheanach Bheag & Carn na Caim, 2.8mph.
Fastest bike/hike Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar) and An Sgarsoch, 4mph.
Fastest rate of ascent 298m per hour, Meall Ghaordie. Slowest rate of ascent, Sgurr nan Eag and Sgurr Dubh Mor, 125 metres per hour.
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And, then there were none 🙂

Yawn :lol:

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Comments: 19



Fisherfield 6 from Corrie Hallie ........ & another farce :)

Attachment(s) Munros: A' Mhaighdean, Beinn Tarsuinn, Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair, Ruadh Stac Mòr, Sgùrr Bàn
Corbetts: Beinn a' Chlaidheimh
Date walked: 26/08/2022
Distance: 43.25km
Ascent: 2950m
Comments: 9
Views: 2550


Knoydart in a Knutshell, Day 2 - Ladhar Bheinn

Attachment(s) Munros: Ladhar Bheinn
Date walked: 11/08/2022
Distance: 22.5km
Ascent: 1400m
Comments: 2
Views: 1407


Knoydart in a Knutshell, Day 1- Luinne Bheinn & Meall Buidhe

Attachment(s) Munros: Luinne Bheinn, Meall Buidhe (Knoydart)
Date walked: 10/08/2022
Distance: 28.2km
Ascent: 1600m
Comments: 2
Views: 1485


Fuar Tholl. One hot, Cold Hole and more!

Attachment(s) Munros: Sgòrr Ruadh
Corbetts: Fuar Tholl
Date walked: 19/07/2022
Distance: 19km
Ascent: 1400m
Comments: 1
Views: 1220


Skye 2022 Day 3, Mhadaidh & Ghreadaidh

Attachment(s) Munros: Sgùrr a' Ghreadaidh, Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh
Date walked: 30/05/2022
Distance: 9.5km
Ascent: 997m
Comments: 2
Views: 1403


Skye 2022 Day 2 - Lads do Pinn, while I play I Spy!

Attachment(s) Date walked: 30/05/2022
Views: 707


Am Faochagach, from the Dirrie Mor.

Attachment(s) Munros: Am Faochagach
Date walked: 05/09/2021
Distance: 14.1km
Ascent: 700m
Comments: 3
Views: 2050


An Teallach and the great deception!

Attachment(s) Munros: Bidein a' Ghlas Thuill (An Teallach), Sgùrr Fiona (An Teallach)
Date walked: 30/08/2021
Distance: 16.9km
Ascent: 1432m
Comments: 7
Views: 5116


Bheoil-ing hot day on Ben Alder :)

Attachment(s) Munros: Beinn Bheoil, Ben Alder
Date walked: 21/07/2021
Distance: 16.9km
Ascent: 1021m
Views: 1025

JimboJim


User avatar
Location: Lochgilphead
Occupation: Retired Psychiatric Nurse
Interests: Walking, cycling, golf, footie, beer, etc, etc.
Activity: Munro compleatist
Pub: Lodge Loch Fyne Soc. Club
Mountain: Cruachan
Place: Lochgilphead
Camera: Nikon Coolpix
Ideal day out: Anywhere with mates.
Ambition: Keep healthy and active.
Munro rounds: 1
Walk wishlist

Munros: 282
Tops: 112
Corbetts: 59
Fionas: 15
Sub 2000: 25
Islands: 22



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Statistics

2022

Trips: 7
Distance: 131.7 km
Ascent: 9292m
Munros: 12
Corbetts: 2

2021

Trips: 12
Distance: 221.2 km
Ascent: 15845m
Munros: 28

2020

Trips: 16
Distance: 336.3 km
Ascent: 19884m
Munros: 30
Corbetts: 3

2019

Trips: 16
Distance: 247.45 km
Ascent: 18250m
Munros: 23
Corbetts: 4
Fionas: 1

2018

Trips: 22
Distance: 431.17 km
Ascent: 25180m
Munros: 35
Corbetts: 1

2017

Trips: 17
Distance: 294.35 km
Ascent: 17804m
Munros: 25
Corbetts: 5
Fionas: 2

2016

Trips: 20
Distance: 324.5 km
Ascent: 22889m
Munros: 35
Corbetts: 8
Fionas: 1

2015

Trips: 17
Distance: 307 km
Ascent: 17711m
Munros: 39
Corbetts: 1
Fionas: 1
Sub2000s: 1

2014

Trips: 27
Distance: 396.4 km
Ascent: 29065m
Munros: 40
Corbetts: 3
Sub2000s: 2

2013

Trips: 16
Distance: 220.1 km
Ascent: 16855m
Munros: 23
Corbetts: 1
Sub2000s: 1

2012

Trips: 16
Distance: 222.6 km
Ascent: 15815m
Munros: 21

2011

Trips: 1
Distance: 10 km
Ascent: 731m
Munros: 1

2010

Trips: 1
Distance: 10 km
Ascent: 400m
Sub2000s: 1


Joined: Mar 09, 2012
Last visited: Oct 10, 2024
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