Hill Walk

My main hobby for the last 15 to 20 years has been hillwalking. Despite various setbacks, I get out when I can, while trying to ignore the knees that are eventually going to fail me completely. This was yesterday's little outing - a hill I've done many times [good for winter conditions] at the Rest and be Thankful, near Arrochar.
Ben Donich, a Corbett [hills between 2,500 feet and 3,000 feet] with great views to the many hills in the area.
This is Beinn an Lochain - one of my favourite hills

The 'Lady of Ben Donich' as I like to call this rock

An hour or so into the walk, and the first proper views of the main sections of B. Donich

A view across to Bheinn Bheula, another Corbett

Two of the famous hills comprising The Arrochar Alps -Beinn Narnain

and Ben Arthur, commonly known as The Cobbler
Beinn Ime-the other member of The A. Alps, and Beinn Luibhean - the hill that spends a lot of time falling onto the road..​

The Tyndrum hills- a bit further north

Glasgow's 'Beacon Hill' - Ben Lomond

View down Loch Long from the summit area
View from the summit trig


Stob Binnein [Crianlarich] showing it's famous whalebone ridge. It's close neighbour Ben More is just out of shot on the left. Doing S.B. by the ridge is a lovely walk.

A cheeky wee lamb who was watching me come down towards him/her, while mum and sibling were off to the left. He/she then did a 'Gandalf' - 'you shall not pass' as I got closer.
Made me smile. Then off they all went after a drink from the tiny lochan/pool at the side


Hope you enjoyed my little outing. ​

 

Lovely to see your walking pictures again, @fairygirl, always bring back such happy memories for me.
We will be heading back to Gairloch this summer, but sadly I won't be doing any of my favourite hills.

 

Thanks @Punkdoc . Hope the weather is fair for you when you get up here. Wee bit of snow for a while near the summit, but just that light, tinkly stuff as there was so little wind. Hopefully you won't be getting any on your visit!

The text has all moved about a bit, not sure why. I'll need to check that for any future posts, but I think it's all there.

I edited some of the text there, and I think it's just the way the pix and text load.

 

As always a pleasure to see the pictures from your treks into the mountains @fairygirl . My next trip to the hills is mid June, we're going to the NE Lakes, my better half is doing an ultra in the Lakes in July, so we'll be scoping out some of the terrain .

 

Beautiful @fairygirl , thanks.

 

Some really impressive walking scenery there.
Keep going while the knees allow.

 

Wonderful views. Thank you for sharing them.

 

Very kind of you all - thank you.
I've only got back out recently [on Wednesday to Dumgoyne, near Killearn] - and that's my first walks I've done since last year. Too many problems with knees etc.
Not so easy when you aren't 27 any more

Hope you get some decent weather for your trip @Scroggin . Good luck to your OH. That's a bridge too far for me!
There were a few youngsters out yesterday which was very nice. Had a couple of chats with them. The group of 4 were struggling a wee bit, and I passed them again when I was on the way back down, and one of them said 'you're putting us to shame' and looked a bit embarrassed, but there's nothing to be ashamed about, and I told them they were doing fine, and hoped they'd enjoyed it. Hopefully they'll keep on trying, but they didn't have much gear with them which is always worrying.
It's great when it's clear enough to see hills that are 20 miles, or more, away too. You can get a glimpse of Ben Nevis from the summit - which is about 40 miles as the crow flies.

 

You're making me homesick! An antique photo (1983) from Dumgoyne, looking north over Killearn.


A slighty more recent photo of Ben Lomond (2014).



The Luss Hills, my early training ground.

 

Nice one @steephill . Do you ever get back up here ? I've still not done the Luss hills. Best for before/after the tourist season, due to the parking - and the price of it! Not much room in the wee side road.
It's funny about B. Lomond. I can vividly remember the first time I saw it - travelling with my parents [to Ullapool] and every time I reach the corner where it's most easily seen in full, I think about it. I must have only been about 5 or 6.

 

That's the problem I have @shiney. These last few summers, when we've been getting higher temps for longer spells, I've been doing my daily walk at half 5 or 6 in the morning. I can't cope with the heat, and it's nothing like as high as you have in the south. I can't even sit in the garden- have to stay inside.
I tended to pick hills that had a high start - so that there was a better chance of a breeze from the word go! Us Scots aren't designed for heat

 

Your clothes have shrunk @shiney ? Well I never. Not something I have any experience of...nope...never happened to me....

Like you - the only thing that interests me about any hotter places is the museums and the history etc, not lying on a beach. I often think I'm not related to my sister at all - she's the total opposite and would lie all day every day in the heat/sun.