Sunday 23 March 2008

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!

Thursday 6 March 2008

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.