Chasing down 5 Graham hills in 6 days, Monday to Saturday inclusive to be present for the Jed/Jayne nut roast feast on the Sunday. Total for Sept/Oct is 14 in 20 days away from home. Leaves 154 left at 77 and 3/4 years old!
Day 1 was travelling up after being with Jed at Little Fishes but, surprisingly quick with lighter than normal traffic on M6 northbound. Got to Inversnaid Hotel to car camp and then long, very tiring day on Tuesday for the Graham in low cloud, N of Ptarmigan.
Dreadful conditions underfoot meant that I should have gone via Ptarmigan from Rowardennan. That way you drop down to the 450 m col, from the 731 m summit on the way to the 632 m Graham. Compass was essential but the GPS was reassuring and a help in getting to the low summit cairn. At least I walked part of the West Highland Way I had never walked before. Met a 10-year-old who got his dad to take him on it to Fort William camping all the way. But did they manage the full length?
Wednesday was the direct route to Meall Mor 747 m, with 600 m height gain in 1.5 Kms = 40% slope if 100% is vertical. Is that right? Safer to take the longer route to the NW. Fabulous views from the top.
Thursday was Ben Venue, above Trossachs Pier. SS Sir Walter Scott steamer with biofuel turbines for clean emissions on Loch Katrine with its drinking water for Glasgow. Steamship cafe, towering viewpoint and lots of toilets. All this modern, no expense spared, top tourist attraction was very good. Lots of walkers on the hill that is really circuitous and up and down on the final section!
Friday saw an afternoon quick 4 hrs to the Strathyre Graham, then car camp at Balquhidder; and Saturday a cycle and climb to the summit round a curved ridge where the best view was down to Loch Voil from the summit I wanted to be the summit! Found a rowan growing out of a large boulder and saw a fox and deer on the summit ridge. Then a fast car drive home at no more than 70 mph and exactly 2,000 revs. Jed's birthday bash was my first proper meal in seven days. I had gone down to 58 Kg before the slap-up feast, courtesy of 2-year-old Jed! Jayne's delicious nut roast would not allow remaining out a day longer. I deserved it. Back to normal 63 Kg weight!
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