Hillwalking Thread

[stu_mfc]

8 minutes ago, paul-r-cfc said:

Got a few weeks before I can start my new job so got plenty of time to kill before then. Trying to tick off some munros before then and make up for the time I probably wasted during the summer holidays!

Going to do Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'chroin on Wednesday. Anyone done the two together? Seems the best way to do them, rather than separately.

Also going up Ben Lomond next week. I've already done it but a pal of mine fancies starting to bag munros and he fancies it. It's the closest and it's straightforward enough, so I'm happy to go again.

Did Ben Vorlich yesterday, plan was to do both but just didn't see point doing it from inside a cloud. The route is pretty clear, not the toughest of climbs up Ben Vorlich but gets steep at top. Midges were horrific at the wee hydro dam and parking was quite busy as well.

[paul-r-cfc]

Did Ben Vorlich yesterday, plan was to do both but just didn't see point doing it from inside a cloud. The route is pretty clear, not the toughest of climbs up Ben Vorlich but gets steep at top. Midges were horrific at the wee hydro dam and parking was quite busy as well.

Yeah, I'm hoping parking won't be as bad during the week. We'll make the call on the second summit once we're up there.

[Swello]

I've been interested to read what people are up to over the past few weeks - and it's been striking that the same hills are mentioned a lot (Ben Vorlich seems really popular) - so I thought I would check on Walkhighlands what the most popular munros are (as they have a good sample size) - the top 20 looks like this:

No.	Mountain	Ascents
1	Ben Lomond	18773
2	Ben Nevis	16461
3	Ben Lawers	14578
4	Schiehallion	14502
5	Beinn Ghlas	14190
6	Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn)	13515
7	Ben Chonzie	12085
8	Beinn Narnain	11646
9	Cairn Gorm	11230
10	Beinn Ime	10857
11	Mayar	10781
12	Driesh	10467
13	Lochnagar	10237
14	The Cairnwell	10101
15	Carn Aosda	10008
16	Meall nan Tarmachan	9895
17	Stuc a'Chroin	9744
18	Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)	9680
19	Ben Macdui	9561
20	Ben Vane	9518

I guess there aren't many surprises in there - although Ben Macdui is a relatively hard core trip compared to the rest in terms of distance and navigational requirements, it will be there as it is the 2nd highest hill (and I'd also imagine that Walkhighlands users will be skew a bit towards more regular/experienced walkers). Everyone's challenge is to do something from the lower 50% of the table as there are some classics in there (and they will be *a lot* quieter)...

Out of interest, the bottom 20 looks like this:

263	An Socach (Affric)	2076
264	Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair	2071
265	Sgurr Ban	2071
266	Beinn Fhionnlaidh (Carn Eige)	2064
267	Sgurr na Ciche	2054
268	Beinn Tarsuinn	2049
269	An Socach (Mullardoch)	2046
270	A' Mhaighdean	2045
271	Seana Bhraigh	2041
272	Sgurr a'Chaorachain	2029
273	Sgurr Choinnich	2024
274	Sgurr nan Coireachan (Glen Dessary)	1998
275	Ruadh Stac Mor	1996
276	Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan	1945
277	Garbh Chioch Mhor	1945
278	Mullach nan Dheiragain	1756
279	Maoile Lunndaidh	1599
280	Sgurr Mor (Loch Quoich)	1582
281	Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich	1577
282	Lurg Mhor	1565

Which are lots of difficult to reach ones basically rather than technically difficult (and co-incidentally contains my top 2 favourites, Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan and A' Mhaighdean). Also - the 12 people that hauled themselves all the way out to Bidean a Choire Sheashgaich and didn't do the easy walk over to Lurg Mhor will be regretting that for ever ) 

 

[Benjamin_Nevis]

I've been interested to read what people are up to over the past few weeks - and it's been striking that the same hills are mentioned a lot (Ben Vorlich seems really popular) - so I thought I would check on Walkhighlands what the most popular munros are (as they have a good sample size) - the top 20 looks like this:

No.	Mountain	Ascents
1	Ben Lomond	18773
2	Ben Nevis	16461
3	Ben Lawers	14578
4	Schiehallion	14502
5	Beinn Ghlas	14190
6	Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn)	13515
7	Ben Chonzie	12085
8	Beinn Narnain	11646
9	Cairn Gorm	11230
10	Beinn Ime	10857
11	Mayar	10781
12	Driesh	10467
13	Lochnagar	10237
14	The Cairnwell	10101
15	Carn Aosda	10008
16	Meall nan Tarmachan	9895
17	Stuc a'Chroin	9744
18	Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)	9680
19	Ben Macdui	9561
20	Ben Vane	9518

I guess there aren't many surprises in there - although Ben Macdui is a relatively hard core trip compared to the rest in terms of distance and navigational requirements, it will be there as it is the 2nd highest hill (and I'd also imagine that Walkhighlands users will be skew a bit towards more regular/experienced walkers). Everyone's challenge is to do something from the lower 50% of the table as there are some classics in there (and they will be *a lot* quieter)...
Out of interest, the bottom 20 looks like this:

263	An Socach (Affric)	2076
264	Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair	2071
265	Sgurr Ban	2071
266	Beinn Fhionnlaidh (Carn Eige)	2064
267	Sgurr na Ciche	2054
268	Beinn Tarsuinn	2049
269	An Socach (Mullardoch)	2046
270	A' Mhaighdean	2045
271	Seana Bhraigh	2041
272	Sgurr a'Chaorachain	2029
273	Sgurr Choinnich	2024
274	Sgurr nan Coireachan (Glen Dessary)	1998
275	Ruadh Stac Mor	1996
276	Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan	1945
277	Garbh Chioch Mhor	1945
278	Mullach nan Dheiragain	1756
279	Maoile Lunndaidh	1599
280	Sgurr Mor (Loch Quoich)	1582
281	Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich	1577
282	Lurg Mhor	1565

Which are lots of difficult to reach ones basically rather than technically difficult (and co-incidentally contains my top 2 favourites, Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan and A' Mhaighdean). Also - the 12 people that hauled themselves all the way out to Bidean a Choire Sheashgaich and didn't do the easy walk over to Lurg Mhor will be regretting that for ever [emoji4] ) 
 

Lurg Mhor and Cheesecake are a weird day. I actually really enjoyed the hills themselves, as they are incredibly remote, the track in was hell though. Muddy as f**k on a MTB and back out into a strong headwind. I'll prob go back and stay in the bothy with its luxury functioning toilet [emoji23]

[stu_mfc]

32 minutes ago, paul-r-cfc said:

1 hour ago, stu_mfc said:

Did Ben Vorlich yesterday, plan was to do both but just didn't see point doing it from inside a cloud. The route is pretty clear, not the toughest of climbs up Ben Vorlich but gets steep at top. Midges were horrific at the wee hydro dam and parking was quite busy as well.

Yeah, I'm hoping parking won't be as bad during the week. We'll make the call on the second summit once we're up there.

You can see the path for 2nd summit run down to your right as you step onto Ben Vorlich summit, absolutely no idea what it looked liked beyond the 50 foot visibilty though! Can also see the path off of it on your right as you climb up too. 

[Swello]

1 hour ago, Day of the Lords said:

Lurg Mhor and Cheesecake are a weird day. I actually really enjoyed the hills themselves, as they are incredibly remote, the track in was hell though. Muddy as f**k on a MTB and back out into a strong headwind. I'll prob go back and stay in the bothy with its luxury functioning toilet

We walked in from Craig, pitched the tents on the Bealach Bhernais and then went over Beinn Tarsuinn (corbett) before the scramble up cheesecake and the walk out to Lurg Mhor. The drop down to Loch Monar and the 400m climb back up to the Bealach to the tents had my walking partner hallucinating  Killer day but we somehow managed to do Sgurr Choinnich & Chaorachain the next morning before the walk out. I've got a plan to do Lurg Mhor by the scrambly east ridge at some point...

[Detournement]

There are metal poles showing the route between Ben Vorlich and Stuc so it's easy enough to navigate. 

Or there were in 2015 anyway.

Edited August 17, 2020 by Detournement

[microdave]

I did Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) today. Good walk with a very straightforward path and not too busy which is also a plus. Thinking about Ben Nevis on Wednesday but as always, I'm full of self doubt about whether I'm capable of doing it.

[Chinatoon Bairn]

17 minutes ago, microdave said:

I did Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) today. Good walk with a very straightforward path and not too busy which is also a plus. Thinking about Ben Nevis on Wednesday but as always, I'm full of self doubt about whether I'm capable of doing it.

I’ve never climbed Ben Nevis but spoke to plenty that have and seen the size of plenty more folk that have, you should get on fine if you’re sticking to the pony track. Seems that a pretty average level of fitness should get you through.

[Coldo]

1 hour ago, microdave said:

I did Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) today. Good walk with a very straightforward path and not too busy which is also a plus. Thinking about Ben Nevis on Wednesday but as always, I'm full of self doubt about whether I'm capable of doing it.

Did Ben Nevis for the first time on Saturday. It's not difficult just long and at places you need to watch your footing, but saw kids no more than 6 year old up there, folk with denims and trainers on and even Burqas. 

So long as you aren't terribly unfit, you will manage it.

Would advise starting as early as possible though as on our way back down it was absolutely heaving and then sun was full on blazing midday. We started at half 7 and were back down for half.

Loved it.

[David W]

6 hours ago, paul-r-cfc said:

Going to do Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'chroin on Wednesday. Anyone done the two together? Seems the best way to do them, rather than separately.
 

Someone you know very well has climbed them both, at the same time that I did 

[microdave]

I’ve never climbed Ben Nevis but spoke to plenty that have and seen the size of plenty more folk that have, you should get on fine if you’re sticking to the pony track. Seems that a pretty average level of fitness should get you through.

I'll definitely be sticking to the tourist route.

Did Ben Nevis for the first time on Saturday. It's not difficult just long and at places you need to watch your footing, but saw kids no more than 6 year old up there, folk with denims and trainers on and even Burqas. 
So long as you aren't terribly unfit, you will manage it.
Would advise starting as early as possible though as on our way back down it was absolutely heaving and then sun was full on blazing midday. We started at half 7 and were back down for half.
Loved it.

How long did it take you? You didn't quite finish that sentence[emoji23]. I'm planning to be there for a 9am start. That's probably the earliest I can get there for.

[invergowrie arab]

8 hours ago, Swello said:

I've been interested to read what people are up to over the past few weeks - and it's been striking that the same hills are mentioned a lot (Ben Vorlich seems really popular) - so I thought I would check on Walkhighlands what the most popular munros are (as they have a good sample size) - the top 20 looks like this:

No.	Mountain	Ascents
1	Ben Lomond	18773
2	Ben Nevis	16461
3	Ben Lawers	14578
4	Schiehallion	14502
5	Beinn Ghlas	14190
6	Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn)	13515
7	Ben Chonzie	12085
8	Beinn Narnain	11646
9	Cairn Gorm	11230
10	Beinn Ime	10857
11	Mayar	10781
12	Driesh	10467
13	Lochnagar	10237
14	The Cairnwell	10101
15	Carn Aosda	10008
16	Meall nan Tarmachan	9895
17	Stuc a'Chroin	9744
18	Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)	9680
19	Ben Macdui	9561
20	Ben Vane	9518

I guess there aren't many surprises in there - although Ben Macdui is a relatively hard core trip compared to the rest in terms of distance and navigational requirements, it will be there as it is the 2nd highest hill (and I'd also imagine that Walkhighlands users will be skew a bit towards more regular/experienced walkers). Everyone's challenge is to do something from the lower 50% of the table as there are some classics in there (and they will be *a lot* quieter)...

Out of interest, the bottom 20 looks like this:

263	An Socach (Affric)	2076
264	Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair	2071
265	Sgurr Ban	2071
266	Beinn Fhionnlaidh (Carn Eige)	2064
267	Sgurr na Ciche	2054
268	Beinn Tarsuinn	2049
269	An Socach (Mullardoch)	2046
270	A' Mhaighdean	2045
271	Seana Bhraigh	2041
272	Sgurr a'Chaorachain	2029
273	Sgurr Choinnich	2024
274	Sgurr nan Coireachan (Glen Dessary)	1998
275	Ruadh Stac Mor	1996
276	Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan	1945
277	Garbh Chioch Mhor	1945
278	Mullach nan Dheiragain	1756
279	Maoile Lunndaidh	1599
280	Sgurr Mor (Loch Quoich)	1582
281	Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich	1577
282	Lurg Mhor	1565

Which are lots of difficult to reach ones basically rather than technically difficult (and co-incidentally contains my top 2 favourites, Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan and A' Mhaighdean). Also - the 12 people that hauled themselves all the way out to Bidean a Choire Sheashgaich and didn't do the easy walk over to Lurg Mhor will be regretting that for ever ) 

 

MacDui is a piece of piss in summer conditions if you follow the WH route of just heading out from ski centre and back to Cairngorm.

I have done 170 Munros and none of the bottom 20 and none of the scrambly Cuillin which is why I know ill never finish 

[Benjamin_Nevis]

9 hours ago, Swello said:

I've been interested to read what people are up to over the past few weeks - and it's been striking that the same hills are mentioned a lot (Ben Vorlich seems really popular) - so I thought I would check on Walkhighlands what the most popular munros are (as they have a good sample size) - the top 20 looks like this:

No.	Mountain	Ascents
1	Ben Lomond	18773
2	Ben Nevis	16461
3	Ben Lawers	14578
4	Schiehallion	14502
5	Beinn Ghlas	14190
6	Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn)	13515
7	Ben Chonzie	12085
8	Beinn Narnain	11646
9	Cairn Gorm	11230
10	Beinn Ime	10857
11	Mayar	10781
12	Driesh	10467
13	Lochnagar	10237
14	The Cairnwell	10101
15	Carn Aosda	10008
16	Meall nan Tarmachan	9895
17	Stuc a'Chroin	9744
18	Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)	9680
19	Ben Macdui	9561
20	Ben Vane	9518

I guess there aren't many surprises in there - although Ben Macdui is a relatively hard core trip compared to the rest in terms of distance and navigational requirements, it will be there as it is the 2nd highest hill (and I'd also imagine that Walkhighlands users will be skew a bit towards more regular/experienced walkers). Everyone's challenge is to do something from the lower 50% of the table as there are some classics in there (and they will be *a lot* quieter)...

Out of interest, the bottom 20 looks like this:

263	An Socach (Affric)	2076
264	Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair	2071
265	Sgurr Ban	2071
266	Beinn Fhionnlaidh (Carn Eige)	2064
267	Sgurr na Ciche	2054
268	Beinn Tarsuinn	2049
269	An Socach (Mullardoch)	2046
270	A' Mhaighdean	2045
271	Seana Bhraigh	2041
272	Sgurr a'Chaorachain	2029
273	Sgurr Choinnich	2024
274	Sgurr nan Coireachan (Glen Dessary)	1998
275	Ruadh Stac Mor	1996
276	Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan	1945
277	Garbh Chioch Mhor	1945
278	Mullach nan Dheiragain	1756
279	Maoile Lunndaidh	1599
280	Sgurr Mor (Loch Quoich)	1582
281	Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich	1577
282	Lurg Mhor	1565

Which are lots of difficult to reach ones basically rather than technically difficult (and co-incidentally contains my top 2 favourites, Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan and A' Mhaighdean). Also - the 12 people that hauled themselves all the way out to Bidean a Choire Sheashgaich and didn't do the easy walk over to Lurg Mhor will be regretting that for ever ) 

 

The full list is interesting, especially Beinn Eighe. I wonder who the one person who decided to head down rather than walk the extra 100m to Spidean Coire nan Clach was 

ETA: Wrong way round. Never mind 

Edited August 17, 2020 by Day of the Lords

[Coldo]

11 hours ago, microdave said:

I'll definitely be sticking to the tourist route.How long did it take you? You didn't quite finish that sentence. I'm planning to be there for a 9am start. That's probably the earliest I can get there for.

We were 2hr40 up and 2hr10 down. Which is probably quite good going. I'm not particularly active but there was only 2 of us (both 6'2"+ right enough) and we just plowed on up steadily only stopping for water. Spent just over half an hour at the top. 

Online in typically states 4hr up, 3hr down.

I actually found coming down just as, if not more difficult as you really need to watch your footing.

Only thing I'd say about a 9am start is you may struggle for parking. We left Balloch at half 5 in the morning.

Edited August 18, 2020 by Rock Star

[AUFC90]

Was thinking about doing the Merrick with my 8 year old son. How hard is it ? Should it be fine for an 8 year old.

[kilMARKnock]

Was thinking about doing the Merrick with my 8 year old son. How hard is it ? Should it be fine for an 8 year old.

Shouldn't be problem for him at all, enjoy!!

[Swello]

1 hour ago, AUFC90 said:

Was thinking about doing the Merrick with my 8 year old son. How hard is it ? Should it be fine for an 8 year old.

It's pretty straightforward and has a good path all the way - but it is quite a low start, so it will be 800m+ of ascent - maybe stop at Culsharg bothy on the way up (or way down) to break things up? Tell me what the view is like as it was cloud from about 200m above Loch Trool when I did it

It's a fantastic bit of the country that - I did the Merrick as part of a 2 day loop where I walked out to Shalloch on Minnoch and then dropped down and camped near the Eglin Lane before walking out over Mullwacher and Dungeon Hill. Once I was off the Merrick, the whole walk felt as remote as anything in the highlands (dungeon hill and craignaw even feel like highland mountains) and Loch Neldricken is a stunning spot that not many will get to (although it's a straightforward walk up from the Merrick car park).

Quote

MacDui is a piece of piss in summer conditions if you follow the WH route of just heading out from ski centre and back to Cairngorm.

My view is probably coloured by the fact that the twice I've done it (once from Coire Cas, once from Linn o' Dee), I spent 75% of my time at height squinting at a map and compass in the snow/cloud

 

Edited August 18, 2020 by Swello

[Benjamin_Nevis]

I've done Macdhui 3 times and each time it's been clear on the way up and suddenly clagged by the time I've got there. The worst way up is definitely by the Tailors Burn in the Lairig Ghru. Pish.

 

 

[Chinatoon Bairn]

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/cairn-toul.shtml

Been looking through walks on walkhighlands trying to find my next big one. Anyone done this?

The time noted on the website is 13 hours to 2 days with an overnight stay at a bothy if you're opting to do it over two days. Anyone happen to know roughly how long it would take me to get from the start point to the bothy? Don't want to get there far too early to sleep and be left twiddling my thumbs for hours.