walkhighlands

Two new ticks at last! And not the blood sucking kind :)

Munros: Ben Hope, Ben Klibreck

Date walked: 02/06/2014

After several years in the PhD wilderness, it was time, at last, for normal mountain service to be resumed. Unfortunately, sitting in front of a computer all day does not a fit person make. So, after a jaunt in the Ochils that confirmed the old legs were not up to much, a sensible, albeit last minute, decision was made to tackle the two solitary and most northerly Munros that remained red. Dog friendly B&Bs found, car stuffed full of “just in case” stuff and five hours of driving later, we arrived at Altnaharra B&B to a very friendly “Would you like a cup of tea?” Yes please! :D

The next day dawned sunny, bright and clear…for a whole 10 minutes. Then Mr. Clag appeared over Ben Klibreck and, like an unwanted guest, stubbornly hung about for the next two days :(

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But, hey ho, it was great to be stepping out onto new terrain; soggy, boggy and steep terrain but a great route up Ben Klibreck nonetheless, courtesy of Walkhighlands :thumbup: We were not far up the all-terrain, “sheep free” track (according to B&B owner) when sheeplike creatures suddenly appeared running at full speed, towards us. Corrie dog was most confused! :wtf:

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Plodding upwards, ever so slowly upwards, to reach the cairn atop Cnoc Sgriodain with a fine view of Ben Loyal.

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Then a grand little traverse to the bealach taking the opportunity to take photographs between clag breaks.

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Then eventually, up the last steep, bouldery bit to the summit. Yay! New blue tick number one :D

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No time to pause to soak up the claggy views as the rain started to descend in great big, soggy sheets of wetness. By the time I decided to put on waterproofs, it was already too late so it was a squelchy return to the car, brightened by the appearance of the friendliest ptarmigans, ever :D

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Then just a short drive up to the fantastic Bothy B&B in Tongue, situated close to Castle Varrich and the majestic Ben Loyal.

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Leaving Ben Loyal for another day, we headed to Ben Hope early the next morning with faint hope of a view from the top.

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Sadly, stunning views were not to be today but still, new blue tick number two in the bag! :D

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And Corrie provided some bonnie views on the way down...

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Back at the B&B, the cloud cleared to reveal a stunning sunset :D

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The following day dawned sunny and clear! :D Typically, we had to return home but just time for a wee pootle up Castle Varrich.

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So, a fine wee highland jaunt and two, new blue ticks to make up for the one lost from the Fisherfields, two years ago. At this rate, I should complete in another 30 years :lol:

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Comments: 8



1, 2

Strolling Down the Lairig Ghru

Attachment(s) Date walked: 10/08/2012
Distance: 30km
Ascent: 810m
Comments: 16
Views: 16190


Sunshine, Showers and Scary Ducks!

Attachment(s) Sub 2000s: Deuchary Hill
Date walked: 28/07/2012
Distance: 14km
Ascent: 511m
Comments: 2
Views: 3104


1, 2

A Record Breaking Round of the Fisherfields?

Attachment(s) Munros: A' Mhaighdean, Beinn Tarsuinn, Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair, Ruadh Stac Mòr, Sgùrr Bàn
Corbetts: Beinn a' Chlaidheimh
Date walked: 27/06/2012
Distance: 29km
Ascent: 2254m
Comments: 19
Views: 12602


1, 2

Reminiscing of the Cuillin Ridge

Attachment(s) Munros: Am Basteir, Bruach na Frìthe, Inaccessible Pinnacle, Sgùrr a' Ghreadaidh, Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh, Sgùrr Alasdair, Sgùrr Dubh Mòr, Sgùrr Mhic Chòinnich, Sgùrr na Banachdich, Sgùrr nan Eag, Sgùrr nan Gillean
Date walked: 19/05/2003
Distance: 12km
Ascent: 4000m
Comments: 18
Views: 13547

madasa mongoose


User avatar
Activity: Munro compleatist
Pub: Clova Hotel
Mountain: An Teallach
Place: Ullapool and Assynt
Gear: dog biscuits :)
Ideal day out: anywhere wild, high and remote

Munros: 267
Corbetts: 1



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Statistics

2014

Trips: 1
Munros: 2

2012

Trips: 3
Distance: 73 km
Ascent: 3575m
Munros: 5
Corbetts: 1
Sub2000s: 1

2003

Trips: 1
Distance: 12 km
Ascent: 4000m
Munros: 11


Joined: Apr 13, 2012
Last visited: Aug 28, 2020
Total posts: 141 | Search posts