Unfinished business in Tyndrum...

As I watch the train roll away from Tyndrum Lower station I fumble about putting my gloves on whilst crossing the rails to reach the track leading to the Connonish valley. Its just turned 7:30am. The air is cold, the moon is high in the sky, fog obscures the dark path ahead. Ice axe in hand ready to ward off any imaginary beasts.

The reintroduction of wolves and bears to the Scottish highlands is an on going debate. An idea I'm slightly in favour of. However, I'm glad that nothing is watching me from a distance as I make my way along this dark track. The last time I walked along this track was June 2013. On a mission to climb Beinn Dubhcraig and Ben Oss. I only succeeded in climbing the former before bailing out and running back to the train station.

Sun rising behind Beinn Dubhcraig...

I finally reach the end of the path and enter the wide Connonish valley. The sky is filled with pink and orange hues as the sun slowly creeps up behind Beinn Dubhcraig. Continuing along the track I pass Connonish farm and the gold mining project on the Corbett of Beinn Chuirn before finally arriving at the foot of Beinn Laoigh.

Stopping here to sort out my loosening boots I check out the ascent ahead. After rearranging some layers and having a drink I decide to crack on. I enter the Coire Gaothach and slowly progress upwards before reaching the North East ridge that leads to the summit. I finally arrive at the summit and due to the excellent visibility, all surrounding hills are visible, including Beinn a' Chleibh, my next target.

Summit Cairn of Beinn Laoigh...

Time is now pressing on so I quickly head South Westerly to reach the saddle between the two peaks before quickly ascending the broad East ridge of Beinn a'Chleibh. I finally reach the summit of my second Munro of the day before 12 noon. A quick bite to eat and a drink here before heading back down to the saddle.

From here I contour around the Coire Annaich to the Creag Dhubh a' Bhealach and head North Easterly slowly ascending in deteriorating conditions to the summit of Ben Oss. Munro number three of the day. By now all ground above 800 metres is a whiteout so I take a compass bearing and head off down to the Bealach Buidhe. From here I can see loch Oss and the Connonish Valley. I decide not to go up Beinn Dubhchraig having done it before and instead head down to Coire Buidhe and head straight from here to the Connonish Valley track.

I finally reach the track and continue on the long walk out back to the train station. After several stops to give the legs and feet a quick break I finally reach the train station. Another quality mountain day in the bag.

Munros: 3.
Time: 7 Hours and 45 minutes.
Distance: 23.03 Km.
Height Gain: 1,600 metres.

Route profile...

Grandtully...

This past Tuesday (17th January 2017) I managed to get out paddling again with Darren, Iain and Ryan. This week we decided to paddle from Aberfeldy to Grandtully.

Darren on fishermans hole rapid...

Myself, entering grandtully on river left...

Ryan pinned above grandtully...

Another good day on the water. Fingers crossed for more paddling days in the next few weeks.

Beinn an Lochan Mountain Day...

Managed to get out yesterday (Saturday 14th January 2017) and bag the first mountain day of the new year with Darren.

Headed up to Arrochar and got on Beinn an Lochan. Proper winter conditions. Reached the summit at 10:35, had a bite to eat and then headed back to the car park.

Eastern slope of Beinn an Lochan...

New Years paddling (2017)...

Another long wait since the last post...

Since the New Year I have managed to get out in the open boat and get on some of the Central Scottish rivers with Darren and Ryan.

Starting with the River Teith on the 3rd January and the Tay from Stanley to Thistlebrigg on the 10th.

Darren on Linn of Campsie on the river Tay...

Ryan on Thistlebrigg rapid on the river Tay...

Paddling with Joshua...

Joshua working hard...

Today (23rd July 2016) I was fortunate enough to have a day off and the weather was dry so I managed to squeeze in a paddle with Joshua.




We headed from the beach at Loch Lomond shores and just made it out of the bay before Joshua decided to slide out of the boat head first! A quick pit stop at Cameron House Marina to put some dry clothes on Joshua before heading North.


We made good time and managed to throw up the down wind sail and catch the odd gust of wind. Before long we were paddling through the narrows and landing on the beach in Luss 3 hours after we set off. A great little adventure for both myself and Joshua.

Joshua enjoying canoe sailing...

Crainlarich Residential Work...

Lunch spot on Loch Dochart island...

For the past 3 weeks (4th - 22nd July 2016) I have been working in Crainlarich on behalf of Can You Experience. The work has been based out of the Crainlarich youth hostel and has involved the running of a variety of activities for a range of youth groups from both Glasgow and Ayrshire.

Each group started their week on Monday which involved ice breakers, team building games and generally bonding as a group. On the Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays of each week the groups would alternate between three different activities. The activities included Canoeing, Mountain Biking and Hill Walking.

Myself and Lucy ran the canoeing with Ryan, Lee and Scott doing the mountain biking and Darren and Danny doing the hill walking.

Loch Dochart castle...

Flying the jolly roger on the river...

Due to the age range of the young people, ability level and weather conditions we were fortunate enough to do ensure every group was catered for.

The canoeing was run on the river Fillan and involved a down river journey to Loch Dochart in order to have lunch at Dochart Castle. The castle was built by Sir Duncan Campbell between the years of 1583 and 1631.

After lunch we would generally build a diamond raft and allow the team to race back up river to Crainlarich. The fastest time being 56 minutes and the slowest time being 1 hour and 16 minutes.

Once back at Crainlarich we allowed all of the groups the opportunity to swim in the water before a thorough debrief back at the hostel.

A tough but rewarding few weeks of youth work.

Running down river...

Poling back up river...

Crainlarich viaduct. Site of the get in...

Island hopping canoe trip...

Open crossing from Fraoch Isle to Inchtavannach...

Today (16th July 2016) myself and Ryan ran all day island hopping canoe trip on behalf of Can You Experience. There was a total of seven clients and we set off from Luss around 10:30 am.

After departing Luss we headed South, hugging the coast before turning East and completing a small crossing to Fraoch Isle, the old prison of Luss. Once here we had a brief rest before setting our sites on Inchtavannach.

Lunch spot in the Haven...

Paddling the diamond raft to the boat house on Inchconnochan...

By now the wind had steadily picked up which made the crossing from Fraoch Isle to Inchtavannach rather sporty. After a great effort from all the team we finally landed on a small beach on the North East corner of Inchtavannach for a leg stretch. Once the team had all had a wander around the island it was time to get back on the water.

Now that we were in the sheltered water of the narrows we coached the clients on the basic skills needed to maneuver and paddle in windy conditions efficiently. This done we headed through the narrows and made our way round to the haven, a small bay on the South end of Inchconnochan for a lunch stop.

Group heading for Lady Colquhoun's bungalow...

Once at the haven we made an alternative tarp shelter and had the kelly kettle roaring. By this time the clients had gone for an explore on the island whilst myself and Ryan built a diamond raft as the wind was now blowing a consistent  force 4.

Once we were all reunited we paddled our newly built diamond raft back through the narrows and stopped by the boat house on Inchconnochan. Once here we all went for an explore of Lady Colquhoun's ruined bungalow and sawmill before having an explore in search of the mythical wallabies on the island. Some of the group even caught a glimpse of one...

Time was now getting on and it was time to hit the water. We all hopped in to the diamond raft and made a b-line for Camstraddan house. A superb effort from the team in less than ideal conditions!

A brief rest here before we slowly worked our way back to the village of Luss.

A fantastic day with a great group of clients!