So yesterday I did something I never ever thought I would or could do, I hiked up my first ever Munro, Ben Chonzie. It stands at 931 meters and I felt every one of those metres, going up and coming down! To say I was nervous about this was an understatement, my first concern was the starting point….would I get to the car park and then just be mooching around looking like a complete numpty not knowing where to go. So, after plenty messages from my friend Laurie, and the downloading of the route map from Kamoot I set off. I had my wee picnic, my ginger tea, plenty of water and my woolly hat just in case I needed it at the top…I did!
The car park was full but there is plenty of parking on the large verges, you just need to reverse in, I got out to check for holes and very soft bits, but got my wee van parked ok. There was a bit of dithering to start with messing about with poles that I couldn’t get to stay up; my husband will need to show me how this strange bit of kit works!
Set off towards the houses as this is the instruction given by my friend Laurie, and yes it did become quite clear where the path began. It started quite gently a bit of a workout for the legs and respiratory system, but manageable. After an hour or so the track got much steeper and loose rocks made it a but tricky, this proved to be more difficult coming down with legs like jelly!! As you walk up the track you then see a pile of rocks on the left and a narrow sheep track weaving its way through the heather. Following this I was beginning to feel that maybe I could do this, I had not actually anticipated that I still had another 2km or so to climb. I’m not going to lie it was hard and I’m not sure it was fun, but eventually as I heaved my legs towards what appeared a flattish top I could sense the end was in sight…I just couldn’t see it. As you leave the sheep track there is the remains of an old fence on your right-hand side, this needs to be followed to find the pot of gold, or pile of stones at the end. The mist was coming in and visibility was poor, and I needed a wee break, after a short pitstop I began again following this broken fence in search of the summit. I wasn’t alone and it was reassuring to see other people around me. I was quietly delighted when the large pile of stones appeared from the mist, I was there. There in that mist I enjoyed a hot cuppa and my picnic, there was zero visibility, but flocks of tiny birds swept through the air as if giving us a reward for finding this place.
So, after my short break, my decent began, I hugged the fence; now on my left as the mist was quite thick and I had the sense that I might become easily disorientated, my legs were like jelly and every time I stopped to soak in the landscape that began to appear as I got lower I thought they would give way beneath me. I walked slowly and carefully down, wishing I had figured out the poles before I decided to do this! Eventually the car park and my wee van could be seen in the distance and I knew I had less than a kilometre to do. It was hard, I had to keep talking to myself, I realised I might not be alone so did and occasional 360 degrees to see if anyone was listening in one my madness. Back at the car, 4 ½ hours of walking time 14 km. I was feeling a bit broken but extremely proud of myself.
I know this is an “easy” Munro and some consider it quite boring, but for me it was about getting out and proving to myself I could do it, and I did that. I might be walking funny for a few days, but I think once that passes I may well be looking for my next one…Schiehallion is one I would like to try out, maybe next time I’ll have some company.
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