stu_mfc Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 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. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul-r-cfc Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 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. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swello Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 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 ) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin_Nevis Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 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] 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu_mfc Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swello Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 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... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detournement Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 (edited) 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 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
microdave Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 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. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chinatoon Bairn Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldo Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 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. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David W Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 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 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
microdave Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 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. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invergowrie arab Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 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 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin_Nevis Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 (edited) 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 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldo Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 (edited) 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 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUFC90 Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 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. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilMARKnock Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 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!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swello Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 (edited) 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 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin_Nevis Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 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. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chinatoon Bairn Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 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. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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