Route description: Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean Munros included on this walk: Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean Time taken: 5.5 hours Distance: 12.5km Ascent: 1025m |
My good mate Paul, had not managed a hill this year and hadn't walked with me since September last year, so when it was confirmed that we could both get out on Saturday it was set to be the biggest 'comeback' since Elvis in '68 !! Question was, where could I break him in gently ? I'd looked at doing these 2 hills last week but had opted for their 2 neighbours, however, a Walkhighlands estimate of around 5 hours for a couple of Munros seemed to fit the bill. So towards Balquhidder and along Loch Voil it was then.
However, we were obviously blethering too much and only realised we had missed the turn off from the track back to the wee bridge when we found ourselves in the middle of the farm yard, sending the kennelled sheep dogs into a barking frenzy. We quickly about turned and headed from whence we had came ! Rejoining the correct return route, we again passed the young kids and dad who had successfully managed to make their way down and still looked to be impossibly full of beans ! Back at the car in around 5.5 hours it had been a fantastic afternoon in the hills which I think served to remind Paul exactly of what he had missed so much about not being able to get out in the hills these last few months......I wonder if he was still so enthusiastic when he woke up the next day and the old muscles were 'gently' reminding of him of the days previous exertions !! 73 & 74 now squirrelled away in the bag.