Classic FM toast on Stob a Choin

You know you've done it all when you hear your name mentioned on Classic FM. En route to Stob a Choin, I pulled over to inform listeners of my intended route and describe the Super Moon in Scottish skies. A piece by Mascagni was subsequently played, very soothing it was too. And so I drove down the long road to Inverlochlarig with loch wisps forming in the cool, misty morning. When I arrived at the destination, the road of the stag reverberated around the glen. I was glad I had not taken Winnie, as she would have been going nuts.

My intended route had always been to climb the NE shoulder, spotted on a descent from Stob Breac a couple of years ago with Graeme D. However, once over the burn, could I find that fire break through the trees and on to the hill proper? Could I f**k. What followed was a sweaty mess at getting through rows of trees and eventually I made it out on the other side. From here, a steep incline up on the shoulder saw me emerge at about 450m with some great views back down the glen to Loch Voil. From here, I made my way round, over and down to the 'zip wire' before re-ascending back up over to the summit area of Stob a Choin. In Winter, this would require serious navigation but the fence line was accurate.

Unfortunately, the clag never lifted from the summit for expansive views so I headed down and was back at the bridge over the river in 35 minutes. A 3 hours 15 route around a great wee hill. I have mopped in this area with only Creag Mhor and the Bhaintigearna Corbett to do. I shall definitely return though as this is a great area.

Geal Carn-Mor

Unseasonably frigid. I absolutely motored up and down in 1 hour 45. Great views across to the 'gorms. The land rover track makes for no issues. Did I say it was bitter?

Ben Vrackie - doggy style

It's been a good while since I took to the large hills with Winnie, our Frenchie. On this occasion, we would make for the 840m peak, which is Ben Vrackie, near Pitlochry. Starting at 250m, this would be nearly 2000ft of ascent for the pot-bellied dug. I needn't have worried, as she bounded up and down in less than 3 hours. Indeed, the only main obstacle was a stepping stone, which she was petrified of. I eventually had to lift her up and carry across 3 feet of open water, a chasm, ready to wash away any FB which ventured on to the hill. I really enjoyed this hill. Great views, a good path and an interesting route. We were first to the top and enjoyed chatting to those on ascent. I noticed in one of my photos a couple holding hands as they walked along the loch-side. Aw.

Goatfell from High Corrie

Absolutely stunning walk-run from High Corrie along the east ridge. The walk up the tarmac road eventually broke into the forest along an excellent dirt path. Once up past the first waterfall, the slope relented and allowed for easy going as we entered the coire. We opted to cross the burn and start the ascent on to the east ridge of Goatfell. With the sun beginning to set, the air became slightly cooler although our electric pace meant that we were sweating profusely. At about 630m, we met the first of many people coming off the hill and saw the tourist path. We began the final climb up towards the summit, occasionally using hands across large boulders but Craig found a wee path as we approached the summit and the view was absolutely mind-blowing. I knew we would see Cir Mhor and beyond but Craig really was astounded by how good the views were. We took pano shots, spied the Paps of Jura and then sank an Arran sunset ale. From here, we continued N over the Stacath pinnacles, which were fun. Our return trip then saw us descend into the excellent coire path and we ran the next km down to the waterfall whooping with delight and were home within 2 hours 50 min. A superb hill and one that will live long in the memory.

Ben Tee

A rare chance to get North but not until I had performed my baby care duties. Originally, had planned to nab two of the last sisters I had remaining but time was my enemy and I only got to Kilfinnan at 1430. The forecast was good although the snow remaining on the high ground suggested that conditions would be cold higher up. I was glad to have packed the duvet jacket from PHD, which I have to say has been £200 well worth spending, when you see what is on offer in the high st. The initial ascent from Kilfinnan was steep and new spring lambs gamboled here and there. I followed a decent track up on to level ground whereupon the route became quite boggy - not a hill to tackle after rainfall. Even from 300m, I could see my intended hill and it rose majestically in front of the neighbouring Munros at the back. The view down the loch wasn't too shabby either.

Quick progress across the boggy hinterland saw me take some lunch at a large stone and the view all the way up to Loch Ness revealed how flat that part of the world was. From here, it was still a fair trek ascent wise but once up on to the small summit area, the views were pretty special across to Meall na Teanga and co. It was quite a drop into the glen and while I enjoyed the vistas, the wind was penetratingly cold. I phoned Mrs P and got my Martha updates, before heading back down and to the car in a round trip of 3.5 hours. A great wee hill and one of the largest Corbetts at 901m.

Meall an t'Seallaidh

From Balquihidder, I headed up Kirkton glen, which had been gouged by some cutting machine by the looks of it. Once at the fence, I veered East and up steep slopes to Meall an Fhiodain, from where it was an undulating meander along the broad ridge to Meall an t'Seallaidh. The views were absolutely glorious from the Lawers range to Stob Binnein and Ben More, over to Beinn Each and the two Munros behind it. I basked in the summit sunshine for a few minutes absorbing the wonderful scenes before me. My descent was directly South and back into the forest to briefly view Carn an Tuirc, the monument to the MacLarens. This afforded a tremendous view down Loch Voil. An absolute belter of a hill.

Benvane in black and white

I had considered doing this hill a few years ago, only to sit in the car while it hammered down and I vowed to return in Winter, to avoid the boggy plateau and walk. The drive along the rutted road to Ballimore farm was a slow affair since I didn't want a re-arranged suspension on the R. I arrived to find some snow at about 450m mark so a Corbett was probably the correct choice, quickly ruling out Creag Mhor, which I can return to at a later date. The walk along to the bridge and up on to the hill proper was quick enough and the views back to Creag Mhor, were opening up. As I got to the 450m mark, I noticed a fantastic view over to the higher Munros, near Loch Voil. I believe Stob Binnein was rising majestically and with the dark foreground of Creag Mhor, it made for a nice shot.

The walk along the broad ridge to Benvane was good fun, with wee peat bogs and lochains strewn over the hill. Finally, the climb towards the summit was a steep pull especially now through deeper snow. The wind was biting but within 2 hours of leaving the car, I was at the summit cairn where I took tea and biscuit. I could just make out Loch Venachar down below but that was as far as I could see until I retreated and then views down to Loch Lubnaig and across to Beinn Each and beyond, became evident. Winter is still with us and it provides a real breath of fresh air before the new growth of both season and Martha become apparent. Really good wee walk followed (of course) by a lovely 'wee' full breakfast at http://mhor.net/mhor84-motel/.

Acting The Goet

My first Corbett of 2015 and first since Martha was born. En route to Aberdeen to drop off the Golf at Jim's, I was looking for a shortish trek so Mount Battock was out. The Goet from Wheen looked a good option and as I drove into Glen Clova, the view to Glen Doll cemented my decision. The walk along the land rover trek was easy and once high enough to see Loch Wharral, this was a very rewarding walk. I could still see where the loch was partially frozen over and the last vestiges of Winter are still in evidence. Once up on to Ben Tirran, I had views as far as Lochnagar, Mayar, Driesh and Mount Keen. I think I could even see the Lomond hills in Fife. An extraordinary hill for such little effort. Great to be out.