It’s official – Retirement is fun!
Posted on 01 Mar, 2010 by Lynne Walker | Filed under Blog • Mountains
Monday 1st March 2010, pull back the curtains about 8am and it’s a wall-to-wall-blue-sky-day-with-no-wind. Try saying that without taking breath! We both thought that we must get out on a day like this. What to do? Would probably be walking somewhere, but there was quite a lot of snow above 100m. We did not want to drive too far so we narrowed things down and eventually decided that the hill above Benmore Gardens – A’Chruach – would be the best bet.
We tend to travel as light as possible so Paul took a small rucksack with water for both of us, a malt loaf, binoculars and his camera phone. I stuffed a beanie hat, gloves and a buff into my pockets along with sun specs; the camera went around my waist. I have a lot of confidence in my Paramo trousers and smock as it keeps me waterproof, windproof and warm but has good venting for the hotter work while walking uphill.
The Gardens were quiet and the hill even quieter (i.e. no one!). Once out of the Gardens the snow became deeper and I was glad that someone had recently been up the steeper path as this made the going easier. I was also glad that I had taken my walking poles as they were helping with balance and hauling me up the hill. We had several stops on the path up the hill – admiring the view and catching our breath. It is a long time since I had a walk in snow like this!
Then the bad news! The tracks we were following stopped about 500m out of the forest! We wanted to try to get to the top of A’Chruach (482m) so it was a case of making our own tracks. The snow was often knee deep on Paul and as I am about 20cm shorter than he is, I was frequently plunging in very deep. I reckon that snowshoes would have been ideal for this situation, but we do not have them. Should we be adding these to the toy cupboard?
Two hours after starting (and eating the malt loaf on the way) we arrived at the top of A’Chruach and decided that was far enough for the day. There was a lot less snow on the top of the ridge as the latest dump had arrived with a strong wind. The views from the top were good but the cameras struggled to cope with the contrast in the conditions – very white snow, bright sun and dark forest.
Coming down was great fun! Deep snow to start on quite a steep slope and again the poles were useful. Then a bit of a slide down the path through the forest as most of the snow was soft on top of solid icy ground. We meandered down through the Gardens, encountering two people (back in civilisation!) and then had the treat of a cherry scone in the tearoom. One hour down.
A great day and so glad we were able to take advantage of it. Statistics: 6km and 500m climb and one malt loaf.
I am a level 4 orienteering coach and a qualified Assessor & Coach Educator. I have been orienteering for xx years and have coached on many foreign tours.