Ben More (Isle of Mull) the long route with the tasty ridge !

It was billed as probably the most difficult walk I'd ever done and it didn't disappoint on that score.  Before we even got near the flanks of Ben More we'd done a days walk and been up and down 2 peaks but never the less it was a hill that tested and challenged as only those beautiful mountains can........

Up early we left Tobermory and headed down to Grulin where we'd start the walk up to Ben More.  We could see the summit, as we could for most of the day, but knew that we wouldn't be anywhere near its top until later in the afternoon.

 Car parked and bags packed we headed up the path from Dhisaig that would take in Ben More via A'Chioch and Beinn Fhada.

The first part of the walk took us through some boggy ground as we rose higher and higher up the side of the first peak (nothing tickable just a vehicle for getting you closer to the ridge of Ben More)

There were more false summits on this hill than I've ever known and it was a hard and steep slog up but the views made up for all that.  Clear blue skies, a bit of haze but full sun.  Perfect.

It was almost lunchtime when we reached what seemed to be the top so we stopped for a snack break.

The next section would take us up the Graham of Beinn Fhada before heading right towards the steep and rocky slope that we would have to get up and over before we even got to the tasty ridgy bit.  By this point I really didnt think I had the fitness in me to get up and over this beastie and it was messing with my head.  Of course I could do it, only the previous weekend I'd been up and over Tryfan and the Glyders in Wales and they were just as steep in parts.  I'll put it down to having an off day but kept putting one foot in front of the other and made steady progress.

We did infact make quite good progress.  There was a fear that this long walk would take longer and we'd be out as the sun went down but we were motoring on and up and over the last peak before Ben More we were presented with a glorious sight.  A rocky precipitous ridge that looked brilliant.  Scrambly bits and ledgy bits and it all seemed incredibly tempting.  There were several bypass routes below the top ridge and we opted for one of those as after feeling a bit dizzy earlier (probably from the sun) I didnt want to risk it.  I'll be back though.

Like all good ridges it was over all too quick and the final "very" steep bit was the last bit of ascent for the day.  This was airy, rocky and very exposed and a delight to climb through.

This route took us right to the summit and some suprised faces from people (with handbags !!!) who'd come up the "tourist" route and wondered where on earth we'd appeared from.

The summit was flat and rocky and we enjoyed a cadbury's cream egg at the top as it was Easter Sunday. A nice man from Staffordshire took our picture and we made our way over the plateau to the route down.

 After an hour or so of boring shale zig zags we followed a stream as it flowed down the side of the hill remarking at its little pretty waterfalls and having a bit of a splash in the water as the afternoon sun bore down.

It was a right turn then, off the path to take us round the base of the mountain taking us back closer to where the car was parked.  It was a slow and laborious tramp through bog and grass but before long we'd reached the road and was on the final march back to the car.

Faces sunburned and extra water taken on board we had had a great day.  As usual it was full of challenges, scardy bits, funny bits, good bits, bad bits but most of all another munro was conquered!

Tryfan & The Glyders

Out of the door at 6.30 and we’re heading for Wales for a day which could go either of 2 ways.  Would the BBC weather forecast finally get it right or will be be robbed of our day on the hills?  Only time will tell and as we headed towards Wales we had a right mixture of weather.

It was dry at least when we arrived at the Ogwen Valley car park and already other early birds were hauling rucksacks out of their cars in anticipation of their days adventure.  Our adventure would take us up Tryfan then down and up Bristly Ridge or Scree (yet to be decided) and then over to Glyder Fach and finally over to Glyder Fawr before descending down through the Devil’s Kitchen and back to the car.

The cloud was laying low as we headed up the path towards that beautiful rocky peak and it was a great path.  Swirling cloud brought glimpses of Bristly ridge and before long we were passing Llyn Bochlwyd aka Australia Lake.

 It wasn’t long before we were at the plateau area between the Bristly bit and the steep flanks of Tryfan.  A sharp left hand turn we were on the mountain and almost immediately in and amongst the rocks.

We couldn’t see the summit as there was a thick blanket of cloud all around obscuring all views in front, behind and to the side.  Clambering through the rocks was as much fun as I remember and before long we reached the rocky plateau where Adam & Eve stood.  No jumping today mainly because I have no idea how I would get up there with my little short legs and also it was pretty breezy. 

There were about 20 people on top and we didn’t stick around long as we still had a long day ahead of us so after obligatory pictures had been taken it was off down the rocks again until we were at the middle plateau where we decided to give Bristly Scree a go.  I’d come down this previously and it was a nightmare akin to snowboarding on shale so going up couldn’t be that bad, could it.  Well actually it wasn’t that bad at all owing largely to Chris carving out a route that largely kept us on larger rocks.  It was only at the top that we encountered most of the loose and slippy shale and it was hard going but the fact that the sun had come out and the views behind us of Tryfan and the Carneddau were magnificent.

 At the top, finally it was a short hop over to the Cantilever stone and then a scramble onto the top of Glyder Fach.  The views had really opened up now and the landscape looks more lunar than welsh countryside but all that rock is a delight to be amongst, simply beautiful.

 The next part of the route took us over to the Castle of the winds and then on the path up onto Glyder Fawr. The wind had really gotten up now and it had turned chilly again.  We stopped for a bite to eat just under the castle and kept as sheltered as we could but it wasn't long before we were up and on the path again.

Glyder Fawr was just as rocky and then we had the delight of coming down through the devils kitchen.  A slippy and loose descent but we just kept one foot in front of the other and the sun throwing shadows over the surrounding peaks made the views just fantastic.

Soon the sun was dipping and the walk was coming to an end.  Around by the Idwall Slabs and we circled the square and were back on the path down to the car park but not before 1 last glimpse of that magnificent peak that is Tryfan, glowing in the evening sun.

Back at the car park and changing shoes and trousers for the drive home we were joined by this little fellow who seemed really friendly and only flew away when we started up the engine and reversed out of the car park.

 Great day in the Ogwen Valley !

Beinn Narnain and the swirling mist !

Up in Scotland for the weekend meant we got a chance to spend a Saturday conquering a few more Munros and Arrochar was our destination with Beinn Narnain, Beinnn Ime & if we had time, the Cobber in mind.

Arriving in the car park at Loch Long early doors it was a tad claggy but the forecast said it would come good later on in day.  So we set off up the path, through the forest, leaving the village of Arrochar behind.

 The mist was still clinging to the day and the first part of the ascent was pretty steep and pretty rocky which suits me to a tee.

 It wasn't long before we left the rocks and grass and ventured into a new land of snow and ice.   Its always exciting to be in and amongst the snow on a mountain because it sharpens your mind and suddenly there are many more things to be taken into consideration, things that could potentially save your life.

Today the main problem that we encountered was the lack of visibility.  Cornices, ledges and snow fields are tricky enough when you can see what you're dealing with but without that then its a whole other ball game.

We took our time and kept checking our bearings to make sure we were on the right path.  Maps and compass's are virtually redundant when you cant establish any geographical features around you to plot yourself but through a series of deduction and common sense we finally made our way to the top.  

It was here we encountered Callum,  a young lad from Glasgow who like ourselves, hadnt anticipated such a white out and asked if he could walk with us up and over the mountain and down the other side.  So now we were 3.

We finally made it to the top with Callum (our new wee friend from Glasgow) taking our picture, thanks Callum.

Time to get off the mountain and by all accounts the descent was much gentler than the ascent and that was music to my ears.  Owing to the time and the energy used in getting to the summit we decided that perhaps we'd give Beinn Ime a miss, it would still be there another day.

So off to find the path down.   Where was it?  Right? Left? The map showed it straight ahead but the mist and fog made it impossible to determine what exactly was straight ahead.  Before long and after consulting with the compass we had a few attempts at locating the path we heard voices and the voices seemed to be getting closer which meant possibly they could be ascending on the path and if that was the case we could use their footprints to descend. 

Luckily that was the case and before long we were heading downwards on a lovely gentle sweeping path.   Down through the snow line, into bog city and just as we reached the end of the path the sun came out and my prediction of having my sunglasses on at least during part of the day came true........surprisingly.

An eventful day but an incredible achieving.  Pushing ourselves and our limits and skating that fine line between utter fear and absolute enjoyment.......thrilling stuff ! 

Blackstone Edge and the Aiggin Stone

Today brought us over to Littleborough and Hollinsworth Lake for a quick trip up to Blackstone Edge.  Following the well marked route up and through the golf course we were soon on the "thought to be" Roman Road but more likely is just a traders path from a long time ago.

At the top of the path is the Aiggin Stone which stands as a way marker for long ago traders.  At this point we took a sharp right over towards the black stones of Blackstone Edge.

The light was particularly good and the sky littered with scattered cloud.  The views stretched all the way to Pendle Hill and we were lucky to miss most of the rain / hail showers that we could see circling us.

 It was a bit windy on the edge but the obligatory rock pictures had to be taken!

 Absolutely beautiful up there today.

 The trig point has to be my most fav trig in all the UK or at least the most fav of the ones I've visited so far. How can you argue with a view like this?

 All too soon it was time to come down but we'd had a good walk in a great location.

 A nice tipply by Hollingsworth Lake to end the day, perfect x

Boulsworth Hill & Wycoller

It was a dreary misty day but the cobwebs needed clearing and the legs needed another workout.  So off we went out early doors to Boulsworth Hill.

It was a pleasant walk up, the green shoots starting to appear letting us know that winter is leaving and spring is on its way.

 It was a boggy but pleasant walk up Boulsworth Hill but the sun wasnt playing out today and the mist seemed to be rolling in - oh joy!

Coupled with the fact that it was a bit boggy made it a bit of a slog.  The wind was blowing hard but smiles were still on our faces.  You cant really call this bog - Kinder was bog, this was baby bog lol.

 As the mist rolled in the views disappeared but it was still nice to sit for a moment and enjoy the surroundings.

 We didn't hang around long at the top as it was cold, windy and a bit drizzly!

 Back down on solid ground and a wander through Wycoller Country Park and then back to the car which was parked in Trawden.

Lovely day out, cobwebs blown, legs stretched, calories burned - all good stuff !

Whitby to Robin Hoods Bay walk

Today took us over to the East coast as promise of a dry day with some sun proved popular.   We arrived in Whitby just before lunchtime, parked the car and headed up towards the abbey to start our walk on the Cleveland way.

 The wind was quite strong on the edge of the path but the quicker we walked the warmer we were and there was a chance, a small chance that the sun may come out at some point.

 Further along the path we went past the lighthouse and 2 lovely children who said hello as we passed.  I wonder what its like at night when the coast is dark apart from the long range glowing of this lighthouse.  Lovely spot.

 My fav picture of the bunch and showing the coastal path - The Cleveland Way and the best bit, the sun is finally coming out, hurrah!

 Finally 6.5 miles later we make it into Robin Hood Bay with its quirky little streets and narrow passageways. Old fishermens houses all painted white and bright colours and the best fish and chips outside of Keswick.  Yum, yum!

What a superb day.  A lovely but bracing walk along the coastal path and the funniest moment having spent all our change on fish and chips was wondering (whilst there are no cash points in Robin Hood Bay) how we were going to get change for the bus back to Whitby.   Cashback was the answer so armed with Chilli Jam and a Gingerbread we hadnt planned to buy we had the change we needed for our bus fare back to the car.

I wonder where our next adventure will take us.