Hill days ....

It is where it all started for me – the Scottish mountains. Long before the running and racing began I realised there was fun and adventure to be had in them thar hills. A good deal of the history is still on the now archived “North of Balloch Rules Apply” website. I suspect that once the body and head start to decay to the point where competition stops making sense, the rambling around in the glens and tops will continue.

A long standing topic of conversation in front of the bothy fire (and bar-room) is whether, as guys, we go to the hill to meet or to escape the lasses. Over the years there has been probably a bit of both but I am sure anyone who has been lucky enough to meet the right girl knows sharing the experience only adds to it.

One of the many things I first liked about Moira was that she wasn’t one of those hard little city types who don’t like getting wet unless it is during a spa treatment. Not only could she roll a kayak (which 10 months later I still can’t do) but she had hill experience – perfect! Unfortunately, she got sick and spent too many months off work. Thankfully the recovery continued and it seemed like a hill day was overdue …long overdue.

For anyone reaching for the sick bag – I make no apology for being all sentimental. I think I do a reasonable job of hiding the fact I am sensitive (for a Glasgow guy anyway) but I am proud of the way Moira has got back to fitness again ….long may it continue.

The Cobbler – 3rd September 2005
The Cobbler is a great hill and makes a grand day out. Within easy reach of Glasgow and not too hard - it was chosen as a good first return day. Over the years Arrochar has been like a big mountain playground – walking, rock climbing, wee tad of ice climbing, hill running, mountain biking etc … so there was plenty stories to make the pain of ascent / descent seem preferable to the constant “I mind the time when …..”

The new path is a dream. No longer the heart bursting climb up the old pipe track! The sad bit is missing out on the traverse which led from the top of the old path along to the dam which used to give an alpine feel to the day. Still it made the first section easier and soon we were up at the Narnain Boulders. Time for a few stories about Jock Nimlin, the original climbers who used it as a doss etc … Slightly higher up and the stories moved onto the “time where Wee Joe and I were oan Recess Route and the wee fella got wedged in a chimney due to his rucky” – Moira feined interest in between choosing what looked like the most awkward route possible and nodding. Once on the North Summit we looked down onto the last pitch of Punsters …she didn’t look that impressed as I continued about the “time where the Big Yin was trying to impress two girls by making the pitch look harder than it was”. We continued onto the Centre Peak and even had a look through the eye of the needle before lunch and a wee snooze. The descent continued (as did the stories) until we were back down the grassy ridge and at the dam. Back down the good path and we were at the car. Moira looked tired but happy.

Ben Dorain – Sunday 11th September 2005
Due to poor communication on my part, the planned sharing of birthday celebrations became a logistical nightmare and basically we both cancelled plans without actually checking what the other was doing. End result it was too late to apologise to the people concerned and turn up …late. Apologies to all concerned. In the end we left Glasgow around 8pm on the Saturday and camped beside the river Orchy – we made last orders which was something at least. I also kinda failed to properly explain that my wee Terra Nova Solar One tent was …well meant for one. It has seen a good few Mountain Marathons but in hindsight … that doesn’t mean it is a good idea. Anyway, I took to opportunity to test sleep the “balloon bed” – FECK it ain’t easy to tie knots but much twisting and swearing later and my new bed was ready. Great it terms of pack size & weight but there is a lot to be said for a thermarest if you are car camping. Next morning and the midges were out – yes it is September and they just shouldn’t. Breakfast by the river was binned in lieu of the large veggie fry up in the hotel (which Moira kindly paid for).

The ascent up the coire seemed drier than previous visits which was good. We practiced measuring distances and calculating times allowing for ascent … all good navigation practice but we did get some looks from passing folks as we sat pouring over the map on a clear day. Sadly the clear day clouded over just above the bealach. So some nav for real was required as we continued up to the first summit where we met a couple who were wandering mapless – short burst over to the real summit and lunch. The descent was ok but it is easy to drift either towards the crags on the left or glen that sits to the east. Back at the bealach we decided on dropping back to the car, Tyndrum and a coffee / cake combination. As we changed into soft shoes etc … Moira seemed less trashed than the week before – a good sign surely ? Maybe the lack of stories has improved her demeanour?

Ben Lomond – Sunday 18th September 2005
Three hill weekends in a row – jist like the old days! Driving through Glasgow and it was pishin doon – jist like the old days. We had been fairly lucky with the weather and thankfully by the time we were at Rowardennan the rain was off (but the midges were still out). Last time I was here was on the hill race back in May i.e. more stories and comments on split times for each section – poor lass. Moira had two previous, unsuccessful attempts at the summit – I was keen not add a third. As usual the hill was busy which seemed to drive her on. The plateau is good as it gives a chance to recover before the last push up onto the summit ridge. Although the mist was down at the trig point – Moira looked happy. We opted for the Ptarmigan Ridge option for the ramble back to the car. This has the advantage of great views across the mountain. Views which with the mist gone, were superb. If it had been the Green Welly the week before it was the Drymen Pottery for coffee / cake this week. In days gone past it used to be the pub on the way home – a sign of the times maybe?

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All in all, three cracking days out – life in the mountains is good. Wonder if life would be more simple living there … I don’t know. I know one thing – I don’t like the idea of a life without them !