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!