Caerketton Hill (The Pentland Hills)

27.12.09 Caerketton Hill (The Pentland Hills) 2 hours, 2.2 km

Walked up with pals from college including Frasers mate Danny Macaskill. From the Hillend car park we ascended the left side of the Hillend ski slope. The snow was knee deep and very tough walking. Trekked up the side of Caerketton Hill in whiteout conditions. Visibility at the summit was reduced to a few metres due to the heavy blizzard. Sledged down the hill and had a great laugh.

 

 

The Ochil Hills

10.12.09 The Ochil’s circular walk. 2 hours 30 min. 11km

Started at Tillitcoultry with the college around 10.45 and walked up mill glen then north east up the path by Gannel burn. We then walked west to Andrew Gannel hill 670 metres. Then back around and down back through mill glen and back for 2.15. The weather was clear and sunny but misty above 700metres.

Hartfell

9.12.09 Hartfell 808m, 12km, 5 hours

With the college we started north west of Moffat at Russell's Braes near Ericstone. Followed the path north east up spa well burn to Hartfell spa. We studied the map in relation to where we were, aimed for features and also took bearings. The walk continued north up Bills cluech then around the steep grassy heathery slopes to the summit of Arthur Seat. Then north up the path to Hartfell 808 metres. Descended south then south west down the ridge of Billscleuch Moor and then back to the start.  Heavy rain and mist with limited visibility on the summit. 

Hartfell summit

Hartfell summit

College Exped

 (3.11.09) Ben Vrackie 4-4 hours. 841 m

Spent a couple of nights in a self catering bunkhouse outside Aberfeldy we booked for the college to do abit of walking. The first day we drove up to Killikrankie and followed the path up from old faskally farm east then south east. Practised measuring out distances and estimating our time. In heavy rain and thick mist we followed the small path, marked with stones, in a north east direction to Loch a Choire then followed the obvious path zig zagging to the summit of Ben Vrackie. Visibility was zero due to the mist and heavy rain. Descended via the path and returned the same way. Headed back to the bunkhouse for food and made route cards before we relaxed the rest of the evening. 

Ben Vrackie ascent

lads at the summit

views opening up on the descent

Ben Vrackie

(4.11.09) Meall Greigh 1001 metres, Meall Garbh 1018 m. 6 hours 30 min, 13.4 km

Parked at the Ben Lawers hotel where we began our walk at 08.45. The Telford group with Dave, miles, badger, Fraser and Gregory. Walked along to Machuim farm and then followed the track up on the east side of the Lawers burn. From here we took a bearing then climbed the easy grassy heathery slopes in a north direction to the summit of Meall Greigh. Visibility was zero due to thick mist along with snow showers. The ground also had scatters of snow. From the summit we took a bearing and walked north west to the 993 summit then followed the path around the heathery marshland west to the col Lairig innein 844m. Followed the fence and path up the steep slopes to the summit of Meall Garbh which was covered in snow. Visibility was zero and the summit was around 1 degree although you could see the sun.  Headed east back down to the col and then south down the boggy heathery slopes following part of the Lawers burn down to the dam and the land rover track. Walked south east down a footpath along the ridge down to the footbridge crossing over to the Lawers burn then back to the path we started. 

ascending Meall Greigh

Meall Greigh summit

Approaching Meall Garbh summit

Approaching Meall Garbh summit

Meall Garbh summit

on the descent

Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn)

20.10.09) Ben Vorlich, Loch Earn (985m, 3hours 30 min

Took a couple of guys up from college up Ben Vorlich. Followed the path up from ardvorlich house into glen vorlich then up the path on the ridge towards the summit. On the way up Fraser commented that this path would be great for taking the bike. Sure enough he returned a few days later to bike Ben Vorlich. The weather was overcast with mist and fog towards the summit. Around 700m there were ferocious gusts 40-50mph blowing north easterly and a cold wind chill which made walking difficult. Continued on to the summit with visibility clear then misty. Returned via the same way. 

Ben Vorlich

Fraser & Russell

battling the wind

summit ridge

me at the summit

summit view N to Loch Earn

summit view SE Gleann an Dubh Choirein

summit view West to Loch Voil

on the descent

Loch Earn

River Tweed Canoeing

Completed a 6 mile paddle in canoes down the River Tweed from West Ord to Berwick Upon Tweed on the 1st October 2009 with The guys from Telford College Outdoor Pursuits. Practised paddling with various strokes and talked about various rescues. The weather was clear and sunny.

River Tweed

Break stop

River Tweed

Approaching Berwick

Royal Border Bridge

Royal Tweed Bridge

Royal Tweed Bridge

me

North Sea

Loch Lubnaig Canoeing

 This was an enjoyable day canoeing with the guys from Telford College Outdoor Pursuits at Loch Lubnaig near callander. We practised various paddling strokes. Sweeps, solo paddling  Standing up and paddling  solo.  Wade a raft with 2 canoes then 5 canoes using poles and tree trunks which were tied across the canoes. We then did an all out rescue by pulling the canoe over another. All in all it was a great day.

Loch Lubnaig

Enjoying the paddle

 

Loch Lubnaig

 

 

 

Joined together

Meditation

Solo Exped

(8.8.2009) Balloch to Tarbet cycle

This was to be my first solo expedition involving cycling and my first solo Munros. Got the train to Balloch in the early afternoon and cycled to Tarbet ,17 mile, 27 km, mostly on a traffic free path with 3 short stretches on minor roads.The route travels up the old drovers road next to the A82 through tourist villages such as Luss and Inverberg. From Tarbet I cycled back 1 mile to the shore of Loch Lomond and set up a wild camp spot. Made some noodles then had a great nights sleep.

Camp spot

Loch Lomond from camp spot

(9.8.2009) Beinn Narnain 926m & Beinn Ime 1011m,14 km, 9 mile, 6 hours

Packed up the tent after breakfast then cycled into Tarbet to get information on the ferry service. Then cycled another 2 mile cycle to Arrochar village were I got money out of the cash machine. Started at the forestry commission car park at the south side of Loch Long (sea level) at 11am where I hide my bike in the undergrowth and chained it to a tree. Followed the marked path up through the woods and then out into the open with views of the cobbler up ahead. From the junction of paths at the Allt a' Bhalachain I took the faint and narrow, boggy path right in an easterly direction. The path faded and i soon climbed north via the Allt a’ bhalachain which turned into abit of a scramble in places. I then walked in a north east direction around the side of the mountain and then headed north up towards the left hand side of Cruach nam Miseag through the deep heather until I eventually found the path before the rock buttress of the spearhead. From here I followed the path up the rock gully with a small bit of scrambling before I came to the stony plateau and the summit trig point at 13.40. The views of the summit was clear with sunny spells and cloud.

Arrochar

Route up Spearhead Gully

Me on Ben Narnain summit

Loch Long from the summit

The Cobbler from Ben Narnain

Beinn Ime from Ben Narnain

From Beinn Narnain I continued  west across the stony plateau and descended the path north west towards the bealach, looking ahead to Beinn Ime. Various parts were quite stony so care was needed. I then followed the path down then up by Bealach a Mhaim up towards Beinn Ime’s grassy, boggy slopes. The ascent was long with 400 metres from the bealach and I reached the summit cairn at 15.05 to clear views however the mist was closing in fast. Not before I had ran out of water but a Glasgow couple gave me some of theirs. Descended back via the path to the bealach then south east between the cobbler and Beinn Narnain following the well built path down the Coire a’ Bhalachain, passing the narnain boulders which were used by the early Glasgow climbers in the 1930’s for sleeping during the exploration of the Cobbler's cliffs. Followed the path alongside the Allt a' Bhalachain, crossing side streams on large stepping stones at times. Passed the small hydro dam on the right and back to the junction of paths. Followed the main path down through the trees and then felled trees down towards the Loch back to the car park for 17.00. Said my goodbyes to the Glasgow couple then cycled around to Arrochar where I stopped on bought food for the next again day. IGrabbed a chippy then cycled around 3 mile back to the wild camp spot I found the night before. Quickly pitched the tent before the rain came down and made myself some noodles with a cuppa soup. I was in the tent by 10 as the rain began to hammer it down and I felt content with the days walk.

Beinn Ime summit 

Looking back to the Cobbler

(10.8.2009) Ben Lomond 974m,12km,7.5 miles, 3.40mins

After a night of waking up a lot I awoke to rain and thick cloud. I txt from my mother however lifted my spirits as she said it was to clear so I decided to skip breakfast and pack up to get the ferry. Got to Tarbet and the guy helped me on to the small Lomond ferry. It was mostly used for tourists but also acted to ferry those over to Rowardennan. After 7 bucks 50 and a short 30 min crossing I was over at Rowardennan at 11am.

After hiding my bike in the undergrowth at the car park next to the info centre and toilets I set off at 11.10 am up the path through the oak woods then the felled forestry. Passed through an open gate to the open hillside giving good views of loch Lomond. The path then zig zags  north up the broad ridge of the mountain with a couple of false summits. The path climbs steeply on the final ascent to the summit ridge. It then levels off to curve to the left around the rim of the eastern Corie a Bhathaich, hidden until this point up to the summit trig point which was reached at 13.20. The day was cloudy with occasional sunny spells and the summit was clear but the mist drew in quickly. There were cracking views of the surrounding arrochar alps and Loch Lomond islands. I descended by retracing my outward route back down the path as I still had a 20 mile cycle back to Balloch.

Heading up Ben Lomond

Loch Lomond

Summit view West to Arrochar Alps

Summit view East

Loch Lomond Islands

(10.8.09) Rowardennan to Balloch 20 mile 32 km 2 hours 40 min

I reached the car park at 3. Unchained  my bike from the tree, grabbed some warm water from the toilets then started cycling out of Rowardennan in a south easterly direction at 15.30. Cycled along the quiet B837 passing a few walkers walking the west highland way. There were also good views towards the islands of Loch Lomond. I also had to get off and push my bike up a few hills. At one point I ran out of water and wanted to get to Balmaha quickly. Got there soon enough for a couple of bottles of water. Further on there were good views of conic hill where I walked over back in sept 2007. 11 mile later I stopped off at the town of Drymen. From here I followed sustrans NCN 7 to Balloch. The route then went south east following the west highland way along to Easter Drumquhassle farm, south west along a dismantled railway and quiet country roads. The sun was out so there was great views towards Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond. Finally I cycled into Balloch country park then onto the train home. 

Ben Lomond