Beinn a M’hanaich. GM/SS-066

Saturday 29/01/2011

Thought it was time to air the walking boots again as the winter weather had put a stop on all my walking activities.Having put on a fair bit of weight during the festive period and being a bit on the unfit side i thought i would start off 2011 with a easier walk which was nearer home and not too strenuous.Beinn a M’hanaich fitted the bill (709M),situated a few miles NE of Garelochead.

           The WX was forecasting high pressure with only occassional showers.Tempreture was sitting at minus 4 when i had the dog out around 7.15am.Left the QTH just after 8am and was at the starting point on the A817 well within the hour,after getting kitted up and leaving the car at 09.05am it was a fairly straight forward route up past the MOD warning signs to the first high point which is the strone at 513M,the views are now starting to open up over the Clyde to the South.Continuing heading West towards the summit you have to pass the false peak of Maol an Fheidh before pushing on to Beinn a M’hanaich.Spectacular views in all directions with its sister ridge sitting to the East of Beinn Chaorach and Beinn Tharsuinn,glorious views down the Clyde towards the isle of Arran and all the Argyll hills visible to the North. 

     Arrived on the top at 10.35am,got the beam set up and got a good run of contacts over the next hour and a half.Most contacts came from Ayrshire and Central area with a couple of new ones in Aberfoyle & Stenhousemuir.

South from Beinn a M'hanaich

                                                                                 

Broke the station down at 12.30 as the air was now getting very cold and i was happy with a total of 17 contacts made.

On the return route having only met two other walkers all day i was surprised to meet two soldiers on their way up in full camo gear,i enquired if they were doing a punishment excercise but as it turns out they were actually doing the easier Mhanaich while monitoring several patrols on the adjacent Chaorach ridge,if i had only known they could have carried my rucksack up for me HI.

Home for 14.30 only 2 hours after leaving the summit.

Total distance driven 59.4 miles

Chefs menu of the day was two burn rolls filled with Arran peppered ham,1 melton mowbray pie and a flask of pea & ham soup+1 banana.

Thanks to everyone that called in today and a special mention for the only summit to summit contact with Bobby gm7something who was on Hill of Stake.SS-155.         Until the next time! 73′s         Graeme..

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