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