Ben Starav

I had decided to give the work night out a miss on the Friday in the hope that I could get up early on what promised to be a fine but cold day in the glens. As I drove through Rannoch Moor, I was rewarded with an almost magical vista, with snow-clad mountains and completely frozen lochs, as dawn broke. I eventually came to rest down the far end of Glen Etive and donned hat and fleece as it was -5C at this point. The track down to Coiletir was like an ice rink and i seriously contemplated putting crampons at this stage. However, once on to the actual hill, I began the ascent, described in books as 'brutal' and '1000m straight up'. It was a good and firm path and progress was rapid. Within an hour, I was more than halfway up and looking forward to bagging Glas Bhein Mhor too. What I hadn't reckoned on was that at 700m, the 4-5 inches of snow would become 2-3 feet of snow and instead of following the footsteps, I'd be striking out and up on my own, with no tracks to follow. I can honestly say that the next 2 hours of slog were the most arduous on a hill I have so far endured. Several times I would plunge through snow up to my thigh and have to extract myself in a desperate fashion. As I began to near the summit, I was aware of the narrowing precipice, with several cornices not far away. At 1230 (4 hours after setting off!!), I topped out and took this rather knackered shot of myself. No way was I going to do GBM. I descended almost immediately as there really isn't much room at the top of Ben Starav - it is beautifully exposed and rewards great views but my body was telling me to get down as I was buggered. The descent back down was a test of concentration and I was glad when I eventually got back to the car. Brutal is the correct word for it. In summer I imagine it's much easier but when she's fully clad with snow, it becomes a real test of fitness. Two days later, I can reflect and think it was a fab day but the muscles ache big-time.

Meall Glas

And so another fine Winter's day saw Eva Van Velzen, a recent addition to HPS, and myself heading North to take in a typical Munro sojourn. We parked up on the A85 and began the walk up the boggy path to the Allt Rioban. Meall Glas looked fab although the snow had melted quite substantially since I had been up last time. However, it 'looked' cold at the top. We began the climb up the shoulder of the hill and came across two ptarmigan, which made the pants fill quickly as per. Before we headed on to the to ridge proper, we sat and enjoyed a spot of lunch. We both had variations on cheese sandwiches (typically Dutch apparently) and enjoyed the peace and the impressive Ben More, with the sun glinting off the small lochans/bogs. We then got the heavy kleider on as the wind bit, lowering the temperature substantially. It was a great wee walk along to the summit and a fellow walker was sitting, with a wee cuppa. We had a good spraff about hills, stock cars (as you do) and the far off Ben Nevis before he turned to allow us some time at the top for the glory shots. A party approached and so we began the descent though not before Eva complained of a sore knee - 'bursitis' was her medical diagnosis - 'sair' was mine. Would this curtail her Munro career, which stood at 1, I asked? Not on her Nelly. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to glissade down a patch of snow. Much fun. Dr vV wasn't convinced. The descent across the bogs was less fun. In fact, I had some terrible news about an ex-girlfriend on the hill who had died (see 1st photo). However, once past the Hielan coos, we looked back on a fine day in the hill. I hope Eva enjoyed Scotland in all its glory. I'm so proud of my wee country. Slainge mhtath.

Creag Mhor and Beinn Heasgarnich

The forecast was superb. Frosty in the glens with a high pressure and the opportunity to head North and take in some fine views. I had decided to go back to my last failure and try again. I had forgotten how bad the road down to the end of Glen Lochay was and was thankful for the 4WD. At 0900, I took off back along the track Shaz and I had been on a fortnight before. I saw people had parked halfway up (lazy bastards) and were cycling along. I got the head down and padded along to the bottom of Sron nan Eun before starting the slog up on to the ridge of Creag Mhor. I was going at a good pace and was down to t-shirt before long with the sweat pouring off me. Once on to the ridge, the objective was in sight and some convivial chat with a couple of boys from the 'bra didn't stop me. I began the final ascent, happy in the knowledge that I was finally going to nail the 100th Munro and in perfect conditions too. Not only that but I'd have the summit to myself for a while. I walked over to the summit and added a wee stone before sitting on a comfy perch and devoured my lunch (I won the competition of course). It wasn't long before it began to get cold and I looked at the descent/ascent to Beinn Heasgarnich. It would be a fair old trudge but I didn't fancy coming back to the Glen and trying it for a third time. I pinged down off the North ridge and was at the bealach before long. However, it's a full 450m back up to the top of BH and so I began the lung-bursting climb once again. Eventually, I topped out on the same part as two weeks ago but strode on towards the summit of my 2nd objective. I arrived at the cairn and again had the place to myself. There is something quite wonderful when one contemplates the vista around you during a Winter's day out on the hill. Time to contemplate and be in awe of our beautiful country. I felt recharged and began the mad skite down towards the road. It took a while to traverse across the broad shoulder and eventually I hit the road (Jack) before running back down to the car. 1500 and a good time for both hills. I drove back home and had a fine Fray Bento's dinner courtesy of my lovely as well as a quenching, compulsory beer. I had now done 101 Munro's and had only 183 to go. A superb day out but there is no doubt that going 'tout seul' has it's downsides too with no-one to slag or laugh at. Hoping for company on the next trip!

Gone with the Wind

And so it was with great anticipation that I would be doing my 100th Munro with the Shazster otherwise known as the leading lady opposite Clark Gable. We travelled the long winding road down to the end of Glen Lochay and immediately donned the waterproofs as it was both cold and wet. Deep joy. Rather than walk along the land rover track, we ascended up to the 2nd track, at 350m and walked along the 5 km route to the bottom of our 'intended' target, Beinn Heasgarnich. The going was good, the chat convivial and we couldn't believe how easy things were. We only had 600m to climb before topping out on the peak before heading along the ridge. What could go wrong? The climb was steep and the weather was clear, which afforded us fine views to another peak, Creag Mhor; another target for another day. No point in doing an 'easy' peak like that for yer 100th. At about 1300, we topped out and were welcomed by the sight of our 'intended' target cairn in the distance (photo) but at the same time, we were almost blown off our feet as the wind was incredible. I tried to go on and see how things went as Shaz hunkered down and hugged a boulder (heart of stone?) but it became quite clear that I would become airborne if I persisted. There was nothing for it, we had to concede defeat after climbing most of the way up. The last time I had encountered wind like this was after Emma and I had dined in the Delhi Dhabba. We trudged down the hill, tails firmly between legs and our lunches were eaten disconsolately, especially as Shaz won the lunch du jour competition. Some cheese and pickle concoction. Once back at the car, we consoled ourselves with the fact it was a good day but once Shaz pulled the champagne out of the bag and said "Have this for another day", I really did feel like saying "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." However, a lovely rainbow appeared and once the post-hill beer flooded into my veins, it prompted new hope that my 100th would be attained in due course. It's not about the numbers though, it's about the experience, camarederie and I enjoyed the day anyway. Cheers Shaz.

Sgurr nan Ceannaichean

So, on we trooped. Emma's first estimate of how long it would take us to get there was about half of mine but she acceded to my voice of experience and trusted me implicitly. Fool. However, rather than the traditional walk down to bealach and back up to the 2nd objective, there was at least a doubling of this. Yes, many ups and downs were had but for any successful marriage, one must go through such adversity. By the time, we reached the summit of SnC, Emma's mood had gone from foul to black and back to foul. No matter how many jokes I told, it didn't make any difference. Emma's knee was truly gubbed. I remember feeling sorry for her on the way down to the car, which was still a good 2.5 miles away and I suggested that I would run back to the car and pick her up. She accepted. By the time I left her at the side of the road, it was of course now pissing down and my Scarpa boots were not the ideal choice of shoe for the 2 mile run. 20 minutes later, I arrived at the car and drove back to pick up a relieved and tired Emma. I had finally managed to end her Munro career, it seemed. I enjoyed the day, even if Emma didn't but the anaesthetising effect of Black Isle Red Kite made sure we had a nice end to the day, once home. N.B. The 100's up next.

Moruisg

Sgurr nan Ceannaichean is the smallest Munro of all and linked to this is Moruisg, big water so a nice wee day out was planned with my lovely new wife-to-be, Emma. I had promised her that it would be relatively straightforward and she believed me. It bodes well for the years ahead. We parked just opposite the wee cottage at Loch Sgamhain and while we advanced up the grassy slopes we noticed another car park, much nearer of course to our objective. Anyhoo, it didn't take long for Emma to start complaining about the walk-in and steepness of the hill. Food was administered and this ablated the moaning somewhat. To be fair, Emma had complained of a sore knee prior to the trip North and so the loosening off wasn't having much of an effect except one that was detrimental. No matter, we were almost at the summit of Moruisg and happened across a lovely mountain hare which sat and watched us as we took photos of it, literally 4 feet from its position. While we took photos of our summit shot, Emma was not impressed at the next hill of choice, even though it was the smallest. Emma's knee was sore, my ear was sore but we continued on and began the trek across to the smallest Munro, Sg Nan C.

Great balls of fire and a big chopper on Derry Cairngorm and Ben Macdui

After a fantastic night's sleep and cooked breakfast at Gordon's B&B in Braemar, I was tooled and fuelled up for a big day out in the Cairngorms. I drove along the lovely road to Linn of Dee and parked up. I was travelling relatively light though I did have the waterproofs just in case. Conditions were excellent being cool, slightly overcast and just enough visibility to suggest some good photaes later on. I pegged it down to Derry Lodge and began the ascent up Derry Cairngorm. I had noticed a helicopter circling around the area and while it wasn't long before I was up at the 900m mark, neither was it long before the big chopper emitted a flare not 50 yards from me. What was going on? I continued on before out of nowhere the bloody thing came down to land not 100 feet from me. Were they going to take my camera from me? Was this someone's sick idea of a joke in trying to prevent me from bagging some more hills? No matter, I took off and proceeded up the final slopes of Derry Cairngorm and it's large boulder cairn. There wasn't time to waste and I ran down towards Carn Echtachan. By this time, I had began to experience some mild irritation in the scrotal area and as I pushed on past Coire Sputan Dearg, it became worse and worse. I had never experienced baw-chafe before but it was becoming very sore. I tried everything to alleviate things. I opened my trouser zip and ran thinking the cold air would help. I stopped and exposed all for at least 5 minutes but while that cooled the affected area, God also made woman in man's image. As the weather turned much colder, I began the last climb up towards the huge cairn and OS trigpoint, keeping a look out for the Old Grey Man. Fortunately, I arrived just as a fellow bagger was leaving and he managed to take a shot of me looking all happy at the top. I managed some lunch in a great wee shelter and then took off down the Sron Riach ridge. As I walked like John Wayne down the glen, I wondered how much damage had been done to my future weans. The walkout was long and relatively uneventful apart from a couple of Bambi experiences but once I got back to Chris Bruce's B&B I partook of a fine Cairngorm ale with a hearty meal. An excellent day out although singe-ing in the shower was not a pleasant experience.

Who let the dog out on Glas Tulaichean?

Not a thinly veiled reference to the classic pop song of 2005 but having parked at the Spittal of Glenshee, I began my walk up towards Glas Tulaichean and as I began to relax and enjoy the great outdoors, a barking voice shouted "Wherever you're going, it's the wrong way." A large woman approached and continued on "I don't understand why walkers with maps get mixed up with the wrong glen." At first, I thought it was Colin Montgomerie in drag and so I didn't respond as convincingly as I should have. Who did this woman think she was? Hadn't she heard of Pud and his Munro efforts, maps or nae maps? I thanked her for re-directing me towards the right glen and spent the next hour trying to calm down. As I meandered along the old rail-track which leads to the old and crumbling Glenlochsie lodge, I spotted the terrible path behind the lodge. It was a complete eyesore and clearly had been used to good effect in carrying the higher echelons in society to do a spot of shooting, in their Lend Rovas. Indeed, what was a proletarian like myself doing out here? I was not worthy. I sped up the A6 in quick time and spotted my target in the distance and had the pleasure of seeing 3 deer running across the path in front of me. Beinn a Ghlo was off in the distance and I could see Carn an Righ. As I summitted, I chilled out and had some lunch - a rather poor effort of Mother's Pride sandwiches, with jam and peanut butter (organic!). Within minutes, the clag moved in and I could see bugger all. It was 1500 and I had said i'd be at my B&B for 1700 so decided to leave the 2nd peak for another time as I had a big hillday planned the next day. The descent was uneventful and a relaxing walk out was only marred by a golden lab running up to me and barking in a non-friendly manner. Deja-ju....

Hot and cold on Bidean Nam Bian

The forecast was superb; so good in fact that I left any sheep-like material in the car. Andrew, my future brother-in-law was joining me and was keen to tackle one of the 'wee hills' in Scotland. He had thrown down the gauntlet and I was keen for him to enjoy a typical Scottish hill. We hit the car park at 0830 in order to beat the hordes and began our walk up to Coire nan Lochan. It was a pleasant meander but I still felt the legacy of the Ben Lomond race and was probably not walking to my partner's comfort. Andrew revelled in the shites for shore eyesh and was snap-happy with new camera. We eventually got onto the ridge up to Stob Coire Nan Lochan and once we topped out, the view was utterly amazing. The steep buttress of Bidean ahead, a sweep round to Loch Linnhe and beyond and Sgreamhach in the distance. We decided to have lunch here and I brought out 2 cans of root beer - how good was that. Andrew had sandwiches but he obviously wasn't aware of the 'lunch du jour' competition. My pasta, cajun chicken-rice concoction won hands down. We got going and began the last steep climb towards Bidean. We took our glory shots, headed down the ridge towards Sgreamhach, then the slippery descent to the Hidden Valley. We both 'glissaded' down the snow slope, which was much fun and then once at the foot of the Hidden Valley, Andrew decided to take a dip in a wee pool. I knew he was daft but allowed him to proceed. As he submerged himself, he shouted "Aaaah, this is just.....freaking freezing!" He departed the lochan tout de suite with no lack of haste and no crotch. After I had tested the watter (fecking baltic), we dried off and headed back to the car. It truly was a majestic day and one to remember.

Ben Lomond Race 2008

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Two months of training, weight loss, booze deprivation and strict discipline had all lead to this moment. Emma generously drove me over to Rowardennan and I began the nervous wait before the race (1st pic). I knew that I wasn't going to finish anywhere near the top 50 but of the 175 runners entered into the race, I didn't want to be embarassed. On Friday, Lynda Browning had donated money to take the total raised for Scottish Motor Neurone's Disease to over £500 and that seemed apt. No matter how much pain I endured, I was doing it for a great cause. Most of the runners looked like runners; professional club shirts and skinny beyond belief whereas I just looked skinny and unprofessional beyond belief. At 1300, the whistle blew and we were off. I didn't want to set off too fast as I was well aware of what lay ahead. The temperature was about 20C and not great conditions for endurance running. However, I was surprised by how I was keeping up over the 1st mile. Perhaps I could beat 1 hour 45? Alas, once we began the steep ascent over the grass, I began to realise I was slowing up. I reached the flatter part of the hill and began to run again and felt good before approaching the summit climb. However, rather than ascend up the zig-zags, the route deviated straight up the summit - it looked and was absolutely brutal. Eventually, I arrived on to the last pitch before the summit, took a gulp of water and began the descent. Last time out, I felt fresh at this point but today, I knew I was struggling. 1 hour 15 to the summit - no way could I descend in 30 minutes. However, I began to make steady progress and over-took about 6 or 7 runners and halfway down I felt good. The last part of the race was run on sheer will-power and the fact that I had to beat 1 56, my practice time. I could hardly run at the end (2nd pic) but Emma cheering me on meant I had to get over that line and although I was almost doubled over with pain, I did it. My time (1 hr 55) and position (100th of 121 who finished) can be found at

http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0035&RaceYear=2008

This doesn't include those who were turned back at the halfway point or couldn't finish. I was quite chuffed but felt I could have run faster on a colder day. I began the re-hydration process and said goodbye to Ben Lomond once and for all. By far the most physically painful thing I have ever done but thanks to all those who donated for the charity and supported me and hopefully the money raised can go towards research into MND. I started with a cliche and will finish with one - never again!

Fa moaned on Fionn Bhein?

Emma and I had been staying up in the Black Isle and the weather had been splendid. However, I was convinced by Emma that it would be better to just do the one Munro, rather than two I had planned and she was right, in that it was brutally hot for hill-walking. We arrived at the car park in Achnasheen and were almost mauled by a tiger-ish cat leaping from the woods up to the road. Cuteness. We started up the path and remembered the last time we ascended this route over 3 years ago to take in the Corbett, Meall a Chaorain. By default. Ahem. Anyhoo, we got to the bog-fields and made our way up the 1st peak before Fionn Bhein. In the heat of the day, we were struggling to keep hydrated but we strode on. Emma moaned the whole way up but I knew once we got to the top, she'd appreciate the fine views and solitude. We topped out to stupendous views of Liathach, An Teallach and many more. The North face of Fionn Bhein was also quite dramatic with plunging cliffs and a heap of snow. We had lunch, several pee-stops to ourselves and began the descent, which was done in quick-time. And at the bottom, we consumed the Orkney Ice Cream from the wee cafe, which was magic. Moaning aside, it was a grand day oot!

Ben Lomond - practice run - 2 weeks and counting

It was time to gauge how I was really doing and just see how bad I was. I arrived at the car park at 0705, changed and checked my watch. Breakfast was porridge and banana - I only had porridge last time so I'd need to see if there was a difference, intrinsic anomalies aside. I set off at 0709 and began the run through the forest, which has been severely decimated since I was last there. I didn't want to check my watch too often but I was really struggling and it was steeper than I imagined it to be. Out of the 'forest' and I was down to a walk and really peching. Eventually the gradient relented and I began jogging along the flat part but not on a constant basis - must rectify next time. The steep slog up to the summit was longer and steeper than I remembered (it always is). As I located the trig point, I was disappointed at my ascent time of 1 hour 17 minutes. I had hoped for something more like 1 hour. I didn't hang about and began the pad down. I felt strong and thought I could get down in 30 minutes. However, about 1 mile out, I really hit the wall and was reduced to a walk. What was going on? I eventually picked up the pace and got back to the car at 0905, with my descent time of 39 minutes. In total, 1 hour 56 minutes, which will get me a placing of 4th or 5th from last. Disappointed but I know I can do better. I have two weeks to eat well, drink nowt (apart from the night!) and do some more fitness work. I am sure I can shave 11 minutes off that time and hit the 105 minute target. If anything, apathy sure won't get the better of me.

Ben Lomond practice - Ben Arthur

I felt the need for speed and to see how I was doing in terms of practice for the Ben Lomond hill run. With only 3.5 weeks to go, I had to try something steepish, longish and toughish. I had never been up the Cobbler before so I thought I'd head up on a weekday early. I left Glasgow at 0650 and was at the Succoth car park for 0755. On the drive up, I had noticed a fair dump of snow on the hills which I had not banked on. I didn't have much gear for the hill - waterproof jacket, new Berghaus waterproof troosers, my trainers and a will to get up and down as quick as possible. I set off up the new path and it wasn't long before I realised it was a steep initial climb. Long enough to realise I wasn't running anymore and just concentrating on the lactic acid burn in my buttocks and calves. I walked up and jogged when I could before I hit the 1100ft mark in 20 minutes. Not bad - could I keep it going? Once past the Narnian boulders, things flattened out a little and I was running nicely, which surprised me - my fitness had obviously improved. However, once I got to the bealach at 640m (2100ft?), I realised I was up to my knees in snow and I couldn't locate the path anymore. It had stopped becoming a running exercise and was now a proper Winter hill-walk for which I was not properly equipped. 40 minutes to this point and thus on for scaling Lomond in an hour? I decided to head back down and began the sprint back. I passed 2 surprised onlookers and nearly cowped head over heels - how embarassing but still kept going. I hit the car park in 22 minutes descent and with 5 minutes fannying about at the bealach, gave myself some hope that I can get up and down BL in 90-100 minutes and not finish last. My last practice run is Lomond next week - judgement time.
Once back home, I got showered and into work for 1200 - and near enough fell asleep! 4 days on and the muscles are totally recovered. Bring it on.

Ricky Pig on Sgiath Chuil

The MWIS forecast was not promising - an Arctic wind, snow and moving South over the course of the day. However, we (me, David and Mark) decided to hit the hills early and beat the poor weather for an attempt on Sgiath Chuil and Meall Glas, if the weather held. We parked beside the private road to Auchessan and the view up to Ben More was splendid. It was a lovely, sunny cold April day and we followed the excellent track up past the farm and on to the open hill-side. We approached a herd of deer and this prompted a story about a deer being fed a bacon roll, up at the van before Rannoch Moor. Forget the issue of climate change, we can't have our venison being tainted with ricky pig! It's jist nae right. Once we had digested this anecdote, we began the steep plod up the South face of Sgiath. The weather was good but as we ascended, the dark clouds were sweeping in over Ben Challum in the distance. After some lung-bursting strides, we made our way up to the craggy summit, revelling in the unseasonably warm temperatures and laughing at the -20C wind chill predictions. Until we actually got on to the summit. As usual, you can't prepare yourself for that icy blast and we didn't hing aboot. A couple of chirpy summit shots and we were on our way back down as the weather had changed. We stopped for lunch in the sheltered area below the summit - I had chilli con carne a la Emma and once again retained the top prize for the lunch du jour as David and Mark tucked into their wheat products. The route back was uneventful though the snow was beginning to pick up and self-congratulation was in evidence in our decision-making. As we supped our wee ales back at the Lade Inn, we revelled in an enjoyable and for once, uncomplicated day on the hill and postulated on how good it would be to take a driver and golf ball and hit a ball from a Munro summit, twice the distance of Tiger Woods. Sun-stroke? Fore!

Ben Lomond Training - Tinto run

On Saturday (6 weeks until race day), I was lucky enough to get a lift to Tinto by Fraser. Because I'd had a couple of beers the night before and wasn't really fit. Not ideal preparation. But a valuable lesson in that I'm officially aff the booze until the 10th May. It was a bleak day and we set off on a slow run. Despite my relative insobriety, I managed the ascent in 40 minutes (460m climb) although I didn't know whether to vomit or shit myself. Fraser was fit enough and right behind me. We touched the summit, while the snow fell and bombed it down to the car park - down in 17 minutes for a combined time of 57 minutes. Ben Lomond is twice as long and high as this route so my time should be about 2 hours, unless I can augment my ascent speed. Have 2 or 3 Munro's planned this Saturday and therafter, I'll be running the Munro's before my practice run up Ben Lomond on the 26th April. Pretty sure I can bomb down BL in 30 minutes but going up will be the problem. Raising a fantastic amount so far for Scottish Motor Neurone's Disease so hope to break the £400 mark soon - www.justgiving.com/kevinpollock

Sgor Gaoith - the scenic route

My initial plan was to do 2 M-points beside Newtownmore but to no avail, I couldnae even find the road up to the Glen, ne'er mind the hills! So, plan B was to try for Sgor Gaoith. I drove past Feshiebridge and on to the car park, where I donned the sack and began the trek through the forest. It was a cold day and I was glad for all my gear. However, although I was on a track, I had gone on too far and began plodding up Carn Ghuithsachan. Unfortunately, this did not take my any nearer my objective and I had to descend to Loch Ghuithsachan, before re-ascending Carn Ban Beag - good practice for the BL hill race but I was eating into my sustenance before my main objective. I began the ascent up to Carn Ban Mor and by this time, I was plodding through knee-deep snow. Eventually, I approached the pointy summit of Sgor Gaoith and it was bitterly cold. I had my soup on the summit and took in the spectacular plunging cliffs above Loch Einich far below as well as Braeriach, beyond the Loch. I didn't hang about and began the long descent to the path proper - it wasn't long before I was back at the car and on the path that I should have been on - doh! A real tester of a hill in Winter but the views were amazing. One footnote was an old English guy, who turned back halfway up the hill because he was cold - he had hardly any gear and was shivering - silly auld fool. Thank god for mountain pro's like myself!

Ben Lomond Hill Race 2008 - Training commences

With some trepidation, I have decided to register for the Ben Lomond Hill Race - this takes in a 9-mile route and ascent of 3162 ft. I have always wanted to have a go at a Kate Bush-style race and will need to seriously get in training for this. One must reach the halfway point by 45 minutes otherwise they turn you back - that will not be happening, I can assure you. So, I'm off out this weekend to get my basic hill-speed up - whether I walk and pelt it down remains to be seen and as usual weather pending. It's on the 10th May so I have a full 2 months - booze will be limited, football is cancelled and plenty of stretching at karate should see me all svelte and ready. However, I have no intention of pursuing the other Munro's with the same gusto and will be happy to plod up and enjoy the views. Wish me luck.

Who Pu'd on Ben Challum?

I had ants in my pants and felt the need to get out on to the hills, as a huge dump of snow had fallen in recent days. I had been checking out the mountain porn on the webcams all week and simply had to head North. Initially, I had planned to do Ben Challum as my last Munro but I have decided on another M-point for that one. Fraser had been coerced into coming along with the promise that there wouldn't be another epic, in the ilk of Beinn Bhuidhe so the pressure was on to take it easy and enjoy it. As we drove past Loch Lomond, the temperature gauge in the car showed -3C. By the time we parked near Strath Fillan, it read -8C. We donned the gear and with my lovely new Norwegian knitted sweater and new skunk hat, I felt nice and warm. It really was baltic but the views across to Ben More and Stob Binnein, were fantastic. We pushed on up and over the railway line and it wasn't long before we were piling through thigh-deep snow. The vista just got better and better though. By the time, we got halfway up, we were both sweating profusely and I noticed a rather malodorous stench drifting my way. That dirty sod Fraser was honking or so I thought. In fact, to my horror I realised the stench was coming from me and my lovely Norwegian sweater. I smelt like a yak's arse. We continued on and up towards the South Summit and it was arduous going, my heart hammering away. We both agreed lunch at this summit was the order of the day before we pushed on and into the odd gully and then over to the actual summit itself. It was breath-taking in every way. I couldn't remember a more spectacular day on the hill. The photo shows the view back to the South Summit, with Ben More and Stob Binnein in the distance. We didn't hang about though as it was bloody freezing and we had about 2 hours daylight left. A rare uncomplicated return followed with a real sense of satisfaction and Fraser enjoyed a wee dram of Loch Dhu while my abstinence forbade me from sharing. However, it would be hard to better a day on the hill and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience albeit the odorific stench of my being left a lot to be desired. Pu'd indeed.