walkhighlands

1st Munro at 63

Route: Schiehallion

Munros: Schiehallion

Date walked: 17/06/2023

Time taken: 6 hours

Distance: 11.29km

Ascent: 835m

:clap:
So the 17 June 2023 will be etched in my memory (what's left of it) for some time.
Friday (the day before) had been a real scorcher and as the 6 of us (+dog, Jura) assembled around the dinner table later that evening we contemplated our options very much dependent on the weather, well the heat more specifically.
An early start was going to be a must especially if the unusually hot (for us Scots) greeted us in the morning. But forecast of temperatures not even in the teens and the prospect of cool breezes throughout the following day we retired motivated.

The early start ended-up being shortly after 10amm and the main car park was already full and we were the 6th and 7th vehicles in the overflow. The temperature was slightly shy of 12° and the breeze a very welcome one AND it was a gloriously clear day as we set off.

(Just a wee gripe . . . Thank you Juir Muir Trust for all that you have done to make this incredible mountain more available and accessible to so many more of us, but for goodness sake people park sensibly and considerately so that more of us can enjoy it!)

The path makes for a relatively easy and steady ascent and the views all around just get better and better especially as Loch Tummel comes into view.
The view of the Loch stays with you all the way to the summit (which is still a long way off !)

We made several.stops as much to take in more oxygen and on water as to take in the view and confirm how grateful we were that the heat of Friday wasnt with us! And oh boy what a view!

For much of the ascent the clearly defined path keeps marauding boots from the heather and surrounding grasslands thus preserving these for the wildlife and keeping errant feet from straying.
There has been considerable effort made to put thus path together and in most places the compacted earth makes the ascent a fairly smooth one.

In places, and more so the higher you ascend, the paths become a quite intricate mix of steps and path. Again I marvel at the hours that have gone into putting these in place. I am, however, not a great fan on the way up and even less so on the way down! (And no I don't have an alternative other than maybe tomreplace my knees or to have done this 30 years ago! But thennthe path wouldn't have been here!!)

I'll skip a few hundred feet - others will have described this elsewhere - until we reached the boulder field.

Along the way up we had not only been blessed with outstanding views but a fine cooling breeze and not to mention the excellent path but as we reached the cairn described in the guide, we stopped for a well-earned breather and to Don another layer.

A moment to describe the view at the cairn with a large of Loch Tummel now in view, the smaller Loch Kinardochy is visible although the start at Braws of Foss is obscured by trees but the Foss Loop is clearly visible as are the peaks of Ben Vrackie and Beinn a'Ghlo.

Wow! As if there hadn't been enough on the way up the boulder field is not for the feint-hearted! A sturdy pair of boots is definitely recommended for this section. Even more care an attention to as many of the boulders are potential ankle-breakers!

So we're nearing the, frankly, iconic and unique pyramid like summit now, the available space narrows significantly and there are sheer drops to the north and south sides . . . . And sooooo many people; of all ages, from primary school aged children all the way up to us, septuagenarians and all points between. Most in suitable clothing and footwear, far too many in shorts and t-shirts (well it was warm!) and trainers. I saw one gent in sliders!!

Once reached the summit and the battering my aged knees and ankles had taken were worth it.
Loch Rannoch is now in view to the west and, although, slightly hazy the panoramic view is breath-taking. The evidence of human activity on the hillsides and further down in the glens is apparent but the verdant canopy, with occasional dot and swathe of aqua blue is nothing short of spectacular.

Less said of the descent as I turned my ankle in the boulder field and struggled to navigate it confidently, I'd also not taken enough water with me, very grateful that companions had. :shock:

Of course, the car park was nearly deserted when we returned (as all those in questionable attire had made it up and down in 4 hours!).

What a day though and to celebrate an ice cold bottle of Harvestoun's Schiehallion.

Thank you Judy, Jenny M, Sophie, Jenny B, Shirley and, of course, Jura the Labrador (who led all the way up).

Saor Alba.

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A Cold January Day

Attachment(s) Date walked: 19/01/2022
Distance: 6.6km
Ascent: 147m
Views: 545


Ben Aigan

This post is not published on the Walkhighlands forum
Sub 2000s: Ben Aigan
Date walked: 05/01/2022
Distance: 8.37km
Ascent: 256m
Views: 123

NeilSACameron


Activity: Bird-watcher
Pub: The Bridge Inn, Peebles
Mountain: Ben Wyviss
Place: Lochaber
Gear: My boots
Member: Ramblers Scotland (Moray Ramblers) Forres Over 50s Lossiemouth Wednesday Walkers
Ideal day out: The more challenging the better, but I'm game for anything!
Walk wishlist

Munros: 1
Corbetts: 1
Fionas: 2
Donalds: 1
Sub 2000: 9



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Statistics

2023

Trips: 1
Distance: 11.29 km
Ascent: 835m
Munros: 1

2022

Trips: 2
Distance: 14.97 km
Ascent: 403m
Sub2000s: 1


Joined: May 22, 2019
Last visited: Jun 19, 2023
Total posts: 3 | Search posts