Capel Fell and Croft Head

And so to a day to myself, far from the mad. I decided to drive South and take in some hills around Moffat, that I hadn't been into. Initially, I had planned to take in Ettrick Pen too but I thought I would leave that along with Andrewhinney Hill and the other Donalds from the bothy. I left the car before the farm and began the walk round to Selcoth farm. I followed the right of way and began climbing a satellite peak of Capel Fell. This gave a quick ascent and already I could see over to Hart Fell and White Coomb, the higher peaks being clad in the white stuff. There was a bit of down before the final ascent up on to Capel Fell but once up on to the summit, all that indicated this was a small piece of wid. From here, Croft Head looked a fairly benign lump and already Ettrick Pen looked more attractive. I descended down to Ettrick Head, where the Souther Upland Way crosses at about 450m. A bleak spot but here I chose to have tea and lunch. Lunch consisted of a M&S mince pie and a baguette with peanut butter and nutella - oh how the French would be impressed. Ma guele.

I had decided at this point (1130) that I would continue on to the two Donalds (Loch Fell and partner) before doubling back and taking in Croft Head. The walk up to Wind Fell brought me to a frozen land of peat hags, with no place to sit and take in the even bleaker view. However, I enjoyed the barren aspect and the solitude was welcoming. I had a lot of time to think about present and future and some changes were afoot. It had been a quick and intense year but next year I hit a milestone so things would have to move. And move I did, down and over to Loch Fell with its trig point and views down to a sitka world before me. I headed North and eventually reached the steep decline to the SU Way. From here, the zig-zag path and Carmichen scar were evident. I believe the scar will grow and grow as the land around it looks very unstable. I took a wee break at the odd cairn on the SUE and had tea two in the circular sheep fank. The final ascent up on to Croft Head was simple due to the zig-zag path but again no cairn at the top - I dropped a stone I had taken up with me and moved off and down for the last time. Never met a soul all day and really enjoyed my time out at 5 hours.

Sgiath a Chaise

A short excursion. It seems my trips out are always quick getaways these days and I never get to fully enjoy the sojourns. I was up and down in 3 hours and back in Glasgow by 1245. This was a fab wee hill, which offered lovely views over to higher peaks (my iPhone didn't do it any justice). The wall of Beinn Each linking the two neighbouring Munros towered above and the stags roared their disapproval of my appearance. Strangely enough, there was no cairn that I could find but simply an iron post with a rudimentary cross made of wood. The descent back off was quite tricky as the ground was steep but once back on the track in Glen Ample, it was a simple and pleasant meander back to the car just as others were setting out.

Beinn an Eoin

To complete my North-West holiday, I had saved a very wild trip until last. I planned to leave the car in Achiltibuie and head over the hills before working my way round to tackle this Graham. On a clear day, I would doubt there are better vistas than the alien landscape of Inverpolly. After experiencing what I did this day in September, I would have to put this walk in my top 2 of all time, if not my most favourite trek. It was that good. As I walked up on An t-Sail, I was struck by views North over to Stac Pollaidh, Suilven, Cul Mor and Cul Beag. What a stunning view point. I had a short break and chuckled how lucky I was. I descended down to the loch and walked along its shores, listening to the resonating stag roar and seeing venison footprints on the sandy shores. The ascent up into the coire of Beinn an Eoin was awkward but I decided to head for the North peak first and approached on a sporting line right up its Western ridge.

At the top, the views were just fabulous but I almost fell to my death down a massive fissure in the ground. The fissure was about 20 feet across by 2 feet but in Winter would be a serious threat to the unwary walker who came over this way. I tried to estimate its depth but the gloom didn't particularly allow me to easily do so. I reckon it would be about 20 feet deep. It was quite a hole. I headed over to the cairn in the distance but before I got there, I approached some exquisite sandstone pinnacles, which were very reminiscent of those on Stac Pollaidh. With these in the foreground, I was blown away by the fantastic views over to the aforementioned hills. I laughed at my fortitude to be in the right place on a brilliant day. I descended to the lochain and decided to have my well-earned sandwiches against an outcrop of rock. As I sat and munched with a Dr Pepper in hand, a stag herded his female compatriots across the coire and looked around trying to identify me. I stayed very still and took in the majestic stride as he drove the herd down the hill behind me. Wonderful. I began the penultimate ascent of the day up on the Graham proper and was rewarded with views over to Sgurr an Fhidhler, itself a fabulous peak.

I walked back down to the coire floor and reversed my route across the glen and back over and up on to 'the heel'. I looked back once more at where I'd been and counted myself a very lucky man. Beinn an Eoin this way is one amazing experience and I would wholeheartedly recommend it. With a pint of real ale in the Summer Isles hotel thereafter, it was the perfect day.

Stob Breac

I had been looking to get away from work and do another summer evening sojourn. So had Graeme D and we decided upon the Stob Breac sprint. Only 1 mile from the summit, we would have to negotiate noisy cows, pitted roads and as steep an ascent as they come. However, lonely are the brave and intrepidly, we set forth. Within half an hour, we decided to head high early and began the steep and sustained climb. Indeed, twas so steep that at one point, we were relying on heather holds to pull us up, with the passing of the walking pole batons and encouragement at awkward moments. It was a good bit further on that we eventually found the massive mound of seven stones. Was this really the summit? It would appear so. From here, we decided that we would not go on and take in the Corbett but instead planned a summer evening camp or Winter stroll up the nose of Creag nan Saighead. So, we descended equally steep ground and chanced a fir tree forest traverse. We were lucky and found the occasional deer track to see us back to the path and the leisurely return to the car in 2 hours 45 minutes, which meant a beer in Mhor 84. A great way to fill a weekday evening and good to catch up with an old hill buddy. From Mhor 84, I was home in an hour.

The Stob via Kirkton Glen

A day off and initial thoughts of Skye drifted away with the wind and rain. As I drove North, I wasn't sure which hill I'd decide upon. At Crianlarich, I decided to head back down to the Balquihidder region and opted for the Kirkton glen approach to either the Stob or Meall an t-Seallaidh. If the weather gods smiled, I'd do both. I was 2 minutes out of the car park, when I happened upon a Forestry commission sign indicating no way through due to 'confusing pathways'. I abhor rules and regulations on a hill experience and continued forth. As it was, this was as straightforward a route through a forest as I've ever encountered and a previous horse trekker thought the same. It's mushroom season and Autumn is approaching.
I emerged from the forest with an interesting crag ahead. Not marked on the map, there was a nice boulder/cave that I sat in and watched the rain hammer down. I decided from this point that I'd head to the Stob as the Corbett was shrouded in clag and I might get a view from the Stob. The cross-country trek over to the Graham was remote and a small herd of deer shot away into Glen Dochard. One last ascent to the small summit was not rewarded with the kindest of weather and the rain persisted once again. However, on a good day, this would be a fine and remote perch. As is typical, the descent to the forestry path saw the emerging sun and the glen was enlightened. The walk back to Balquihidder was enjoyable and this was a nice little outing.
I decided to reward myself with a lunch in mhor-84/ and hard a very tasty burger with an equally refreshing Mhor 84 Lager tops. The meat is locally sourced, 8 miles up the glen and it really comes through. Beetroot, fresh lettuce and pickles compliment the blue cheese and meat beautifully. Fries were lightly seasoned and the portion size was perfect. These hills are only an hour away from the house now and I look forward to the 7 or 8 Grahams and Corbetts this Winter.

Cruach nam Mult

Initially, I had intended to do this as part of a combo with the other Lochgoilhead Grahams and I had planned to spend the evening up there too. However, I have never before been so plagued by flies in my existence than I had upon exiting from the forest and it was to have a significant contribution to my decision to cast this trip into the category of single hill sojourns. The meander through the forest was pleasant enough although the heat was quite incredible on this July evening. It was relatively straightforward to pick the way South on to the hill but the dark path through was a little claustrophobic and I was glad (not for long) to emerge into the daylight once again. At this point, you are more or less faced with a steep, grassy wall which affords no idea of the route ahead. However, after about 10 minutes of hard climbing, you are roughly at the bealach between the Graham and the Hump to the West. 

As the flies erupted around me, I got the head down and began the climb hoping for a breeze to strike up and dispel the invertebrate hoard. Within an hour of leaving the car, I was a sodden, sweaty beast and stood atop the highest part of this hill, although there was no cairn to signify this. The views across to Stob an Eas and the Arrochar alps were particularly impressive as were the distant Paps of Jura. I killed 40 flies in 15 minutes but their numbers were replete within second. I didn't fancy the descent and ascent over to the 2nd Graham if I was to have such chitinous company and therefore decided at 2045, to head back to the car and home. A great wee hill but it has to be repeated in Winter, I think for me to truly enjoy its character.

Beinn Fhada

This was documented in the Munro blog post here: http://www.munromadness.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/ben-more-via-beinn-fhada-and-chioch.html

Meall Mor to it than meets the eye

After our early rise at 0530, we began the walk over to the bealach nan corp. It was a hard old slog up to the bealach and from there, it was a very wearisome up-and-down to the summit of Meall Mor. A number of small valleys and coires had to be crossed to reach this very remote and small cairn. However, the view North to the Crianlarich Munros is a very rewarding experience. We descended east over the ridge and down to the valley floor before Stob a Choin. All thoughts of re-ascending this were banished as we were both a little tired and the re-ascent looked horrific after the previous 15 hours efforts.

Beinn Damhain

Far from the Easter madding crowd. A morning stolen, alone. The walk into the hill is uncomplicated, along a land rover track and aside from the initial ugly pylons, the climb up on to this Graham, is excellent. The highlight of the trip apart from the fantastic views from the summit, is the lochain at about 500m. It provided a beautiful foreground to Ben Vorlich and would also be a lovely area for a summer wild camp. At one point, I was actually lying on the ice and it felt 'right'. There was nobody else on this hill except me, which is a shame as it offers a lot. Even with a relaxing meander, the walk only took me 4 hours. Views to Beinn Bhuidhe, Meall an Fhudair, the Crianlarich hills, the Paps of Jura and of course, Beinn Chabhair across Loch Lomond mean that the summit is an excellent place to while away some time. A gem, only 1 hour from Glasgow.

Cairnsmore of Fleet - a game of two halves

I had long been itching to do this Graham, the most Southernly and one which had a significant memorial stone at the top. More than 20 airmen have died on this hill since the 1940s and each and every one is accounted for. I parked near the A75 and began the gentle stroll through the farmland, stopping to chat to a bloke who appreciated my not parking behind his house - again, the guide book says to do this. Perhaps it needs updating. I found the walk through the forest quite depressing as there is little to see and the track was a muddy bog. I took my first bacon sandwich just as I emerged from the forest at about 400m. From here, I could see the sun splitting the skies over the South but to the North, Cairnsmore of Fleet was shrouded in cloud. Typical.

The path was excellent from here and zig-zagged up the mountain. Wild goats emerged from the gloom but ran away as soon as they heard the unzipping of my...camera sac. Once I reached the plateau, it was a pleasant amble over to the memorial stone whereupon the sad fate of those airmen was written in history. I was surprised by the lack of snow at 700m but was glad for the large shelter, where I took lunch and pondered life and its whims. I ventured over to the crags on the NE face but with poor visibility, I could not make these out very well. I am sure that this is a nice hill on a summer's day but I found it a a little depressing in such conditions. In saying that, the memorial put everything into context, particularly with the relatively recent loss of Captains' Seagren and Spalding of the United States Air Force on 28th March, 1979.

Timber on Millfore!

On holiday in Dumfries-shire (d'ye ken the Glenkens?) Craig and I set off from the Black Loch car park, which appeared to have become a logging site. This wasn't in the guide book, which admittedly was 10 years old. Anyway, we put signage and common sense behind us and strode manfully around the loch until a 100ft conifer was felled 100m from us. To say the pair of us purged our bowels was an understatement. After running 60 metres in a time that Usain Bolt would have been proud of, we got the 'helloutathir'. An uncomplicated meander up the forest track saw us at a point where we could leave man-made tracks behind and commence the relatively gentle ascent up on to Millfore.

At about 500m, we entered the snow line and the wind from the South battered us until we hid behind the ridge, to the North. It was the first time in a while that Craig had been out so we took plenty of wee stops for tea and sandwiches. This allowed us to catch up on life, risk and business. His camouflage was also excellent as can be evidenced in the photograph. Finally, we emerged on to the ridge proper just past the precariously perched cairn-on-boulder. From here, it was a simple stroll into the fierce wind to the trig point whereupon some Warrior 1 was enacted. A quick descent saw us back at the car in just under 3 hours and a nice start to the holiday.  Just take heed of the signage.