In my first hike of 2016, I head to Deeside in Aberdeenshire on another
bothy bagging trip.
The original plan was to visit 6 bothies starting from Banchory in
Deeside and finishing at Crathie in Balmoral. I planned out my route on
Google Earth.
Things didn't quite go to plan.
I couldn't find Shieling of Mark bothy (yet I was so close) this also
meant that I couldn't navigate my way to the next place, which would
have been Glen Muick. I became stuck in a valley and had to turn back
the way I came.
My quickest escape route was a climb over Mount Keen (939 m ascent) from
Invermark, to follow a path towards Ballater but the Ballater path
wasn't clear so I ended up walking 16 miles from the top of Mount Keen
to Aboyne (a route that was familiar to me).
I did not film this because I was not in the mood after my mistake.
During my expidition I passed through Banchory, Aboyne, Glen Esk,
Tarfside, Invermark, Loch Lee and climbed Clachnaben, Mount Battock,
Hill of Rowan and Mount Keen for a second time. I visited three bothies
including Charr, Glen Lee hut and Stables of Lee.
I must have walked about 70 miles up and over the hills but failed at my
challenge.
Ben Vorlich is a bulky and very rugged mountain, the most northerly of the Arrochar Alps. It is possible to walk a fine circuit taking in the Little Hills from Ardlui to the north, but the ascent here, from Inveruglas via the Loch Sloy dam road, is the quickest.
Munros included on this walk: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) Date walked: 14/04/2016 Time taken: 4 hours Distance: 13.5 km Ascent: 945m
Ben Vorlich is a bulky and very rugged mountain, the most northerly of the Arrochar Alps. It is possible to walk a fine circuit taking in the Little Hills from Ardlui to the north, but the ascent here, from Inveruglas via the Loch Sloy dam road, is the quickest.
I took a bus from Glasgow to Tarbet on Thursday afternoon, arriving in Tarbet about 2pm.
Upon arrival I immediately began my hike towards Sloy dam, picking up the woodland path at Tarbet station and following it to meet the Glen Loin loop above Arrochar. My aim was to find somewhere suitable to wild camp, close to the dam, and near the start of the mountain path. I just took my time, pondering along through the trees looking for the Glen Loin caves en-route (and not having much success).
I eventually reached Sloy dam around 6pm and found a great little spot to pitch up, in front of the dam (enough flat ground for a small 2 man tent). I had seen a better spot earlier on the trail but wanted to be closer to the dam.
I had a peaceful night all alone by the dam, not much people around except for the Scottish Hydro workers who drove past a few times in the morning.
I was up for about 9am to make a start on the long daunting climb to the summit of Ben Vorlich. Actually it wasn't too bad, a tad cold, there was some light snow at one point and there was a considerable amount of snow lying near the top. I was presented with some bonnie views of Sloy damn as I made progress but due to mist I couldn't see much else.
It took me about an hour and a half to reach the summit, where it was VERY cold, icy and very windy, couldn't stay long, only long enough to smile for a selfie. I met one other guy coming down as I was on my way up.
I was back down by about half past 1, not sure what took me so long but my hands were freezing and the first thing to do was make a nice hot drink and some noodles to get warmed up. I was pretty much bored after that, I had contemplated climbing Ben Vane but I didn't have time as I had to head back over to Arrochar to meet Jay at Ben Arthurs bothy.
Day 3 - I ascend over the hills from Loch Callater to Loch Muick where
the next bothy is located. I enjoy a few Beers, sitting out by the loch
until the sun goes down. Then I get the fire sparked up inside the
bothy.
Day 4 - Walked along Loch Muick to the Spittal of Glenmuick and went in
search of Shieling of Mark bothy, walked up the Glen for about 3 miles
but couldn't spot it so returned to the spittal of Glenmuick and walked
to Ballater (8 miles) where I caught the bus home.
Day 2 - Had breakfast in the bothy before walking 9 miles back to
Braemar where I grabbed supplies from the shop before making my way to
the next bothy at Loch Callater. 7 miles.
I begin a three day adventure, backpacking through the Cairngorms,
visiting several bothies en-route.
The original plan was to visit the highest village, Tomintoul but due to
frosty condictions Plan B (for Bothy) was initiated.
Day 1 - Got bus to Braemar, walked 6 miles to the Linn of Dee and a
further 3 miles to the first bothy, Bob Scotts.
Some other people were there so I pitched the tent up outside before
joining them for a drink. Afterwards I stayed up for a while and made a
small campfire outside, using an existing firepit.
Please note, I have since been informed that campfires are not permitted
at the Bob Scotts bothy or anywhere in this area. I apologise to have
offended anyone, lesson learned.
Beinn Ime is the highest munro of the Arrochar Alps, in the southern Highlands of Scotland. The Cobbler is a Corbett which is often climbed by tourists.
Date walked: 11/09/2015 Time taken: 6 hours Distance: 11 km Ascent: 1325m
Beinn Ime is the highest munro of the Arrochar Alps, in the southern Highlands of Scotland. The Cobbler is a Corbett which is often climbed by tourists. Day 2 in Arrochar and I set off to bag The Cobbler and Ben Ime, planning to finish at Inverarnan. I lost the path after descending Ben Ime's North face and after a long descend on rough, pathless ground I eventually finished at Inveruglas by Loch Lomond instead. It was a long strenuous walk for me as I was carrying a heavy rucksack with my tent and camping gear.
Beinn Narnain is a mountain in the southern Highlands of Scotland, near
Arrochar. It forms part of a group of hills known as the Arrochar Alps,
and is a Munro.
Munros included on this walk: Beinn Ime, Beinn Narnain Date walked: 10/09/2015 Time taken: 5 hours Distance: 13 km Ascent: 926m
I travelled to Arrochar on a Thursday afternoon and arrived about 1pm.
The plan was to ascend Ben Narnain, Ben Ime and Ben Arthur (The Cobbler) over 2 days and wild camp.
I had some lunch by Loch Long then began my hike to the summit of Ben Narnain, stashing my 65L pack in the trees. I made it to the summit by half past 4, took some pictures and videos then immediately made my way back down.
It took about 3 hours to reach the summit and just under 2 hours to get back down to Arrochar. I was back down at Loch Long by 6pm and pitched the tent by Loch Long.
