Yesterday was my first Munro ‘bagging’ trip of the year. I didn’t sleep particularly well the night before, worried that I would be at the back of the group and hold everyone up. Just as I finally nodded off it seemed, my alarm clock went off. Opening the curtains I was met with a lot of mist and cloud and the threat of rain, I even wondered if the walk would still go ahead. Silly me, the SBG Hill walking group is an experienced group and will stick to planned walks, come rain or shine.
We all met outside the Dome on George Street at 9am and divided into three cars for the journey. In total there was 11 of us plus we met a 12th member (Steven) at Blair Athol who was very familiar with the area and acted as a guide. I travelled with 3 lovely ladies – Karen, Kate and Linda and we made good time, reaching our distination in under 2 hours.
We set off at an eager pace just after 11 and followed a dirt track initially, we then veered off onto the path which led us to the foot of the first Munro. Due to recent rain fall, the ground was muddy and water-logged in parts. At one point, I misjudged the distance when hopping over a small stream and ended up in a heap with mud up to my knees! What a great impression to make on my new walking friends! <g>. Nevertheless I soldiered on and soon we found ourselves climbing the steep flank of the first Munro. It was very misty, with low level cloud and so it was difficult to see any distance ahead. This was probably a blessing as after climbing for what seemed like an age, I innocently asked how far to the top and was met with the response that we were only half way to the first summit of Carn Laith. The poor visibility, the uneasy scree which had accumulated on the path, and the steepness of the munro made our first ascent seems almost un-rentless. In China I found my walking poles most helpful but on this occasion didn't have them with me. Kate, an English teacher, kindly offered me hers and after she assured me she didn't need them I took her up on her kind offer. It made a great difference and finally we reached the summit of Carn Laith! Carn Laith sits at 975 metres (3198 feet) and is ranked 181st in the Munro categorisation. It is the lowest of Beinn a Ghlo's three summits but the most prominent when seen from the main road.
Just as I reached the summit, my mobile phone alerted me to a new donation on my Just Giving site, a generous sponsorship from family friends - David & Anna Henderson. It couldn't have come at a better time as it reminded me exactly why I was doing this training and testing myself! Thank you so much David and Anna, I shall write to very soon! Ravenous, we all tucked into our packed lunches and chatted freely, getting to know each other. Although the rest of the group were more experience hill-walkers and generally knew each other already, they were so welcoming and friendly and really out me at ease. It was a delight to be walking with them and have the comfort that our leaders knew the way and would look out for us.
After lunch the weather began to clear and opened up some fabulous views. Waterproofs and fleeces came off as we walked onto the ridge and admired the panorama all around us. With the steep ascent behind us, my pace quickened and I began to really enjoy the walk. At this height snow was still around in areas and provided a refreshing way to cool down! We then descended as low as the path went into Beallach and then began the second ascent of the day up Munro number 2 - Braigh Coire Chruinn-Bhalgain at 3510 feet. A couple of false summits were frustrating but eventually we had conquered the second munro of the day. Percy pigs, dates and ginger cake were passed round in celebration! By this time it was approaching 4 o'clock and so the unanimous decision was made not to climb the third Munro that day and instead walk back down Braigh Coire the way we had come and then follow a deer-path down a stream and through the heather and mossland. In the words of Meatloaf "two out of three aint bad".
The return stretch was long, it was gone 7:30 by the time we got back to the cars so it was a long day of walking but we had done it! I was so proud of what I had achieved, had enjoyed chatting with my fellow-walkers from SBG, marvelled at the scenery and had the priveledge to see herds of wild deer and hare. Back at the cars we tucked into some of my home baking I had made the day before and then set off back to Edinburgh, arriving home at approx 9:15.
I slept soundly last night with all that exercise and fresh air and was pleasantly surprised to find my muscles were not as sore as I had expected. My radox bath must have done it's job! Unfortunately I must have taken my stairs to quickly this morning as I have managed to twist my knee and although walking on it it fine, going up or down stairs is painful. Ice and Arnaca is on the agenda tonight!
Sx
