Glasgow West End: Hill climbing diary by Helen Rose: An Teallach

Welcome to my hillwalking diary again.

Corrag Bhuide With a small group of my regular hillwalking chums,I set out to 'bag' the mighty An Teallach in North West Scotland which some would argue is the finest peak in Scotland. It is a large wedge of red sandstone and its sharp tops make it an awe inspiring sight. The trudge up from the moorland was rewarded by the first sight of the Corrag Bhuidhe Buttress although Diane gasped and said there was "no way she was going over those rocks even though it was her 100th Munro".

Had the weather been better, Diane could have been persuaded to scramble over the rocky buttress but the brave souls who attempted it had to give up in the hailstorm and take the bypass path. We will have to go back another time to claim Lord Berkely's seat which is one of the rocky pinnacles. Does anyone know the reason for the name of Lord Berkely? If you do, please e mail me at [email protected].

Sgurr Fiona Having bagged the two Munros of Sgurr Fiona and Bidean a'Ghlas Thuill and completed the ridge walk we discovered our chosen descent route was not possible due to unstable late snow in the gully so it was over another top accompanied by much groaning from the troops at having to go uphill so late in the day! After ten hours on the hills, we had a well deserved drink and delicious fish and chips in the Dundonnell Hotel A satisfying and enjoyable day but some disappointment at not being able to do the scramble over Lord Berkely's seat. Never mind, the hill will still be there next year and the weather will be better!

Once a year we have a BBQ in our back garden as a re-union for the hillwalking group which also allows partners to socialise and be bored with the never ending talk of hills! We had the BBQ last Saturday and it rained heavily but that did not deter us. The framed tent was erected and food put on the tables inside the tent The Head Chef ( a man, of course ) lit the BBQ and managed to produce an array of barbequed meat while standing in the rain under an umbrella. The hardier stood in the rain eating while the softies took shelter in the house. Before the dancing started in the house, there was time to inspect the frogs which have now developed legs and are housed in a washing up bowl in the patio. The frogs were rescued as frog spawn from a puddle in a track leading to Creag Mor in Perthshire and we are looking forward to seeing them fully developed and jumping around the garden.

Well, that's all for this month but future attractions are trekking in Iceland, hillwalking in the Island of Arran and my 142nd Munro which is the half way mark in completing the Munros in Scotland.

Lial Liath Looking down from Lord Berkeleys Seat

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