The Cruachan Horseshoe

I had heard several accounts from friends and Romans describing Ben Cruachan and Stob Diamh as a great day out. The entire route taking in several other peaks totalled 1900m in ascent and I thorougly looked forward to pushing myself physically. David C and I headed up and were on the hill for the respectble time of 0845 on a Sunday morning. No mucking about with warm-up's here, it was an unrelenting climb from the roadside and while I was glad I was quite hill-fit, David struggled initially. However, once we made our way up to the reservoir, we began to enjoy the fantastic vista and the peace which goes with it. We started up Meall Cuanail and I decided not to tell David we'd have to go down 70m after topping out on MC at 918m - higher than some Munro's. The descent off MC was tricky but once at the col, we began the final climb up Ben Cruachan's boulder slopes, which really took it out of us - check David's face in that photo - ho ho! We had lunch at the summit and with the clag right in, we felt like we were truly on the top of the world - I suppose at 3758 ft, we were the highest bodes South of the Mamores. We began the descent towards Drochaid Glas and it was very bouldery on the way down. I implored David to check the drops into the wild corries but he wasn't impressed i.e. he asked who coughed or at least that's what I thought he said. We carried on towards Stob Diamh and the views were stunning although looking back, we still couldn't see the summit of our 1st objective. Once at Stob Diamh, we began to relax and enjoyed the walk back down though by the time we got back to the initial steep path down to the car, we were almost running on empty. I turned round and saw David salivating, arms out saying "Fish supper, pickled onions, lard" on more than one occasion resembling something out of Night of the Living Dead. Back at the car, we changed footwear and congratulated each other on a good day's walking and a fine physical effort. I phoned Emma and said "Food, I want Fray Bentos...lots of food". It is only after a day on the hill that one can truly appreciate the finer tastes in life i.e. batter and lard.

Carn Ghluasaid

Or pee lucozade? On our way up to Lewis, we drove through Glen Shiel and stayed at the Cluanie Inn. However, in order to earn our reward of copious ale and grub, we decided to tackle this Munro. This was to be Emma's 10th Munro and as such, she was slightly apprehensive about it and the prospect of being labelled a bagger! The view across Loch Cluanie was fab and the stalker's path was excellent, allowing for rapid height to be gained, although a starting point of 250m may have helped. Before the zig zags up the hill, we had almost trodden on 2 toads and had a go at capturing them. Much mirth was had. Toad-trapping? Better than toot-trapping. The path was brilliant all the way to the summit plateau although by this time, the good weather had given away to rain and falling temperatures. Up until this point, Emma hadn't moaned once and was enjoying herself. Was she now a fair-weather bagger or had she really hurt her back? Cry wolf, Emma....Anyhoo, a summit photo (could be anywhere really) and it was back down the hill which was quick and no doubt the prospect of booze accelerated Emma's descent. It always does, n'est-ce pas? Once back at the car, it was midgey hell and we made a quick retreat to the Cluanie for some fantastic grub and lovely drink. The meal consisted of two great Aberdeen Angus burgers with Monterey Jack cheese, fries and a lovely side salad. Alcohol consisted of Red Cuillin (wonderful), Tempranillo wine and a wee rare whisky from the proprietor. A lovely day out once again and well done Emma on the double figure mark!

Stob Coire Sgreamhach

The intention was to set out and climb SCS via the marvellous 'hidden valley' and take in Bidean Nam Bian on the way down Coire nan Lochan. Theory and practice don't often go hand in hand in Glencoe however and so it proved on this occasion. The ladies dropped Fraser and I off along the A82 and sped away for coffee, cake, lunch and cake. Fraser and I made good pace up into the hidden valley and the weather wasn't bad at all. As we were taking the 1st day's munch, a small tit flew out of nowhere and literally sat a foot away as Fraser fed it bread. I couldn't believe the audacity of the wee thing and it happily sat eating and tweeting as we photo'd the wee bird. We headed on up the corrie towards its headwall and it was about this time that the weather began to close in. Abandon all hopes of a decent summit photo I imagined. As we approached the high bealach, the route became quite precipitous and with the increase in rainfall, the scree was very unstable underfoot. We managed up okay and it was a fairly straightforward route to the summit of Sgreamhach. We didn't hing aboot and decided in 3 stone trouser sets to head back down. The initial decline down the 'gully' was 'interesting' especially when we encountered the white trainer brigade - quelles dongues. We got back to the car park quick enough though we were pretty soaked by this time - once we were chauffeured back to the Bridge of Orchy hotel, I can honestly say that shower I had was one of the finest. As was the beer. And the whisky. A weet but sweet, tweet day.

Meall Greigh, Meall Garbh & An Stuc

I was to be on my ownsome for these 3 Munro's and as such, I took off from Glasgow at the leisurely hour of 0800, reaching the Ben Lawers hotel car park for 0930. I took off down the road and then headed up the private road beside Machuim farm, heading past a shop which said "Horn Carver" - I thought of taking something back for Emma but she would say I had given her the horn so I carried on regardless. The path was excellent and I then set off towards the obvious knoll of Meall Greigh. A steep bugger but it wasn't long before I was on the summit, an hour ahead of book-time. The cloud had moved in and views were at a premium. I didn't hang about and headed down to the bealach, following a fence to start of the incline up Meall Garbh. By this time, I could see Lochan Nan Cat but I don't see how this resembles a cat at all unless it has been run over. The ascent of the 2nd Munro was pretty quick and before long, I was tagging the summit cairn and heading for An Stuc. Having seen photos of this and reading the guide's description of a 'mild scramble', I was slightly apprehensive. Once down to the col, it loomed out of the mist but an obvious path going up the SE flank was evident. Initially, no hands are needed but about 100ft up, it becomes indeed a scramble but no worse than say that of Stuc a Chroin. You certainly wouldn't want to slip but before long, I was on the summit and it was pretty straightforward. Winter would be a tricky proposition entirely. I was glad to be at the 3rd summit (see photo) cairn and I headed down to the Bealach Dubh before cutting down the gully and towards Lochan Nan Splat and then heading for home. Once back at the car, I popped into the Lawers hotel and had an excellent steak pie (done with Ossian ale) and a bottle of Kelpie. An excellent day was had once again. 80 down, 204 to go.

2 Claise to call

I decided to head up and see the foax up in Aiberdeen and rather than the bore of the A92, I headed via Glenshee to hit the hills. The weather forecast was abysmal but I had 4 planned, namely Carn an Tuirc, Cairn of Claise, Tom Buidhe and Tolmount. It was surprisingly nice and I padded over the burn from the car park and headed along the well-trodden path. I was fair pinging it along when I began the steep climb towards the boulder face of Carn an Tuirc and the views began to open up for me from the barns of Bynack More to Cairn Toul. I was at the summit within the hour and was pleased by my fitness for a change. I then decided upon Cairn of Claise next as I figured if the weather got worse, I could come off at this stage. After having a near defecation experience due to a ptucking farmigan, I set off towards the 2nd Munro of the day by which point a large black cloud was descending upon the summit. Not only that, a rather vociferous crack of thunder blasted across the glen. Pant-piddling time. I stood looking at my walking pole and wondered whether I should leave it - momentarily, I considered my last thoughts and if I would know that I was about to be zapped by lightning. The thunder was getting closer. I began running for the summit cairn and bizarre wall of the hill and once tagged, didn't hing aboot. A high level walk round Garbh-coire and I was looking at a herd of deer of about 60-70 pelting it away from me - a lovely sight and the stags voiced their disapproval. I headed round to Sgorr Ghaibre, a Corbett (!) and then began my descent back to the car as the thunder boomed once more and the heavy rains came. It was a fine wee day out and made the journey back to the 'deen so much more pleasurable but it was definitely too Claise to call.

Beinn a Bheithir

Forecast - mince. Enthusiasm - total. Shaz and I proceeded to head for Ballachulish without the flu-stricken duo of Fraser and Dave C. We had long admired these 2 hills and both felt the pressure of the book's description "these 2 Munro's are ALWAYS done together". Failure was not an option. We decided to tackle the two M-points as described in the SMC guide, not as Shaz had read in Cameron McNeish's guide. Shaz doesn't have a copy of the former (hint to any Rannoch members about potential Xmas presents). We headed up the forest road and arrived at the posts which would indicate the path through the forest. Excellent. A scramble up the red scree and we were on the ridge, 1 km West of the actual summit of Sgorr Dhonuill. The views down to the Atlantic were stunning, wisps of cloud and turquoise waters making for a beautiful panorama (quelle bollocks). We ascended to the first M-point of the day and were told by a couple of FEBs that "it was a bit scary further on". Pah! No mention of this in the book so on we went confident in our abilities and supreme experience. What was this? A path right beside a 200 ft drop, straight down? Exposure, here, with my reputation? Indeed, a very dramatic vista and on we proceeded to the bealach between the two hills. Lunch was had and on we climbed towards Sgorr Dhearg while Shaz was convinced she saw a duck in a lochan, which turned out to be a stone. Perhaps influenced by the hill just descended (Donald's peak?), perhaps too many Nurofen for the arthritis-riddled toe? Who knows what goes on in Shaz's mind? We disappeared into the clouds of Sgorr Dhearg and eventually summited to meet a couple who had a stove going for a cuppa?!! Tea anyone? The descent was straightforward enough until we took an interesting meander* through the forest but eventually got back on track and hit the road for the car. *got lost. All in all, a great day out and some good craic. Once again, my sandwiches won the 'sandwich du jour' competition with cajun chicken breast and dijon moutard on 'la fierte de la mere' bread. To top it off, a fine pint in the Lade Inn before I got in at 2100 but nae tea made! 'Twas enough to make you go quackers.

Sgor na-h-Ulaidh

The weather forecast for the 27th May was uncharacteristic - potential snow showers and sunshine. Fraser, David C and I all headed north to bag 'the hidden peak of Glencoe' and it was a promising start to the day. We headed up the farm path and bade hello to the farm owner who promised us that it would be hoaching with like-minded folk. The walk up past the burn was very pleasant indeed but I knew that we were in for some steep climbing further up as the craggy North face loomed of Sgor na-h-Ulaidh. We took to the slopes of Stob an Fhuaran and the climb was pretty unrelenting and arduous. Meanwhile, the sun shone and all was quiet in the glen with a few folk well behind us. Hopefully, we'd have the summit to ourselves. The only sounds were the laboured puffs of me and my compadres and it seemed an age before we attained the latter peak. A great place for a spot of lunch afforded fantastic views down Glen Etive, to Ben Nevis and Bidean nam Bian - the views were fantastic and we all ate in wonder at the silence of it all (apart from the munching of Thai Pringles). We headed down to the bealach and before long were heading up the final pull to the summit cairn by which point it had begun to snow. We didn't hang about. The descent was rapid but sustained on the thighs and we were back at the car in 5 hours - a very decent time. A wee hauf in the Bridge of Orchy hotel (who now have their own beer - fine) and a great day was had with some fine banter and flake-catching.