Mick pouted and voiced his concern about me going alone. I, naturally, said that I would be fine. Mick pouted a little more, but didn't try to talk me out of the expedition.
On my way out of the door at 1530 (having emptied everything unnecessary out of my bag), I looked at my watch and said that if I wasn't back by 1800, Mick was to put tea on. Mick did a speedy calculation and exclaimed that I'd better be back by 1800.
It was sunny as I set out, but that didn't last ten minutes before the first shower came through.
It's a good path the whole way up, so even though the wind was strong indeed, the going wasn't bad. Then I got to the stream crossing at the top of the coire, and the wind, whistling through the notch, really wanted me off my feet. It was an interesting time getting across that stream.
The wind was even more determined to hamper me as I reached the col (I don't reckon the forecast was far out on wind speed), but by then I was close enough to the top that there was no question of not getting there.
Get there I did, and it was fantastic! The views were absolutely superb. Rain was obscuring the Lairig Ghru, but all other directions were clear for the few minutes I remained up there. As I saw the next shower approaching I headed back down.
That next shower was violent! Frozen rain hitting the side of my face stung, and at times I had to stop and turn to lean back into the wind to stop myself being blown away. I hurried to where I was going to drop down, knowing that I would soon get out of the very worst of the wind.
The stream crossing was worse on the way back, with the squall still blowing through, so I didn't even bother trying to step from stone to stone, I just sploshed right through. Then, blissfully, the wind was lower and behind me.
I sped down, reaching the bothy by 1700. Mick had seen me coming and had a cup of tea waiting for me :-)
It was a well worth while side trip that put a big grin on my face, but it did confirm, if confirmation was needed, that winds gusting to 50mph and above are too strong for a wee slip of a girl to be wandering around on hill tops. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to have spent miles battling that wind!
Click here to go to TGOC Day 7
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
It feels great rising above one's limits and battling the elements. Once again, you did a great job. And Mick for having the tea ready :-)
ReplyDeleteI am sure that cuppa tasted even better after your adventure :) were you spooked at all going up there? Do you know whether there are any spooky legends re the name? Maike
ReplyDeleteTheo - Mick does get special points for having a cup of tea waiting for me. Moreover as he didn't see me forming my walking poles into a big letter T (by way of a small hint) on my way down!
ReplyDeleteMaike - I wasn't at all spooked up there. It's a lovely place! My only concern was on the way back down when it was so windy that it made me think that if it blew me over and injured me then Mick would be *really* cross with me!