walkhighlands

Megan and Sam take on The Buch...

Munros: Stob Dearg (Buachaille Etive Mòr)

Date walked: 10/07/2011

Time taken: 4 hours

Distance: 8km

Ascent: 800m

The kids first visit to Scotland just had to include a day out in the hills. Along with our much loved tour guide Andy showing his kids his 'back garden'.

To be honest i wasn't sure if i would be up for a day of climbing after an 8 hour drive from the South West up to the Bridge of Allan the night before but after a good nights sleep, a bacon sandwhich and the amount of enthusiasm the kids were showing was enough to get me motivated.

With everyone fuelled from breakfast and the sun shining we head off for the hills. As we drive into the country, pass Loch's and open landscape the kids and i are excited!!! Spending most of your time in a built up industrial town means anytime spent in the country is a blessing, and what a place to choose, Scotland is stunning!!!

As we approach Buachaille Etive Mor (The Buch) i must admit i wasn't sure if the kids could make it. At first sight The Buch is quite daunting, standing on it's own and intimidating!!! But after their amazing efforts in Snowdon and the Breacon Beacons i decided i probably under-estimated their abilities, and as it turns out i did! Andy did ask them if they wanted to do an easier one but they declined the offer saying 'it's easy'...

A quick stop by the side of the road for a photograph of two excited kids about to embark on their first adventure in Scotland...
The Buch July 2011 017.JPG
Megan and Sam pointing at The Buch


We meet Craig, Scraggles to the kids, and Rocco (Craig's Black lab) in the car park just before the walk. A welcomed addition to the adventure. We now have 'team boys' and 'team girls'...

And off we go...
The Buch July 2011 011.JPG


We made light work of the first half with team boys really going for it. Megan, i think, struggled for the first part but she kept going. I think it was the drink and packet of monster much at the half way mark was what she needed as after polishing off those she was flying up, and i think also the fact that the second half was more off a rock climb was fun. Megan and Sam love a challenge and a little healthy competition...

The Buch July 2011 015.JPG
Megan, a little slow at first and behind the boys...


The Buch July 2011 025.JPG
Megan a little behind the pack


Ready to take on the steepest part of The Buch, and the best part...
The Buch July 2011 046.JPG
Megan and mum


Sam cutting some shapes on a rock edge, a little psyching up before the final ascent...
The Buch July 2011 056.JPG
Baby Boy Sam


After just over an hour everyone finally completes the steep part of this mountain...
The Buch July 2011 057.JPG
Coming over the hill...


so, the hard part is done and it's just a 10 minute walk to the summit of Buachaille Etive Mor... and what a summit. The sun is shining, clouds casting shadows across the landscape and not a lot of wind. We spend the best part of an hour on the summit just taking the scenery in and relaxing. It is so peaceful, long gone are the stresses and worries back home and for me - i am just so happy to be on top of the world with my gorgeous family, and friend!!! It's strange how much contentment you feel when you are stood on top on mountain, i wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

The Buch July 2011 073.JPG
Lunch on the summit


Daddy decides to do a little rock climbing with Megan...
The Buch July 2011 034.JPG
Rock Climbing :)


The Group taking in the scenery...
The Buch July 2011 027.JPG


Not the worst place in the world for a spot of lunch...
The Buch July 2011 023.JPG


After lunch and a spot of sunbathing it is time to head back, sadly!!!

The descent back down was taken on by team boys... who made it down first. Sam was on fire, i 'm not sure if it was the thought of getting back to the car or whether he was having so much fun that got him down so quickly but he made it look easy!!! I think lots of encouragement from the boys also got him going. Megan and i took it a little more slowly and cautiously, lots of loose rock underfoot.

Finally we all make it down safely and it is time to head to the pub for a bite to eat and a well earned beer, coke for the kids of course. Believe it or not Megan still had enough energy to climb trees!!!

A big well done to the kids, not a bad effort from a 6 and 8 year old, and a big thank you to Daddy Number 1 for a day full of amazing memories and fun. It was truly an awesome day in the hills, largely helped by such fantastic weather. Perfect.

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Comments: 8



Our first moutain climb...

Attachment(s) Hewitts: Snowdon - Yr Wyddfa, Y Lliwedd
Date walked: 24/04/2010
Distance: 17km
Comments: 8
Views: 5444

victoriajarrett


User avatar
Location: Swindon
Activity: Mountaineer
Pub: The Lade Inn
Mountain: Forcan Ridge
Place: Glencoe
Ideal day out: A scary scramble

Munros: 41
Wainwrights: 1
Hewitts: 4



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Statistics

2011

Trips: 1
Distance: 8 km
Ascent: 800m
Munros: 1

2010

Trips: 1
Distance: 17 km
Hewitts: 2


Joined: Feb 27, 2011
Last visited: Jul 29, 2013
Total posts: 36 | Search posts