I left Edinburgh on Friday – as usual it was a busy week: deadlines and dissertations looed over. Getting out to the hills, even for just a day, felt stressful – but for me that is when it’s most important to make the time to get outside and step away from the crowds.
I took the bus up to Tyndrum and walked for five or so kilometres to a camp-spot. It wasn’t the best spot in the world – but that didn’t matter. Pitching a tent, making dinner, and then having a cup of tea and a read is one of the greatest pleasures in the world, and soon I was relaxing to the gentle sound of rain on the canvas.
Alas, the rain continued till the following morning and the day started with some white-out navigation. I used an altimeter to contour round a corrie in between two bands of cliffs, before gaining a ridge where careful compass work was required to avoid the cornicing. On the approach to the ridge – I opted to climb a steep turfy rib over plowing up the deep snow slope. Conditions were warmer than forecast, and for folk who don’t know, the avalanche forecast is based almost entirely on the Met Office predictions. Given the warmer snow condition and the steep slope – I became cautious of the prospect of wet snow avalanches so stuck to the turfy rib where this wasn’t a problem.
As I reached the Summit of Ben Lui – it was somewhat of a psychological struggle to find the motivation to climb Ben Oss. The weather was sub-optimal: it was navigationally challenging conditions, there were no views, and I had a lot of uni work to do when I got home. The temptation to sack if off and get home in good time was high: after all, I’d still done one Munro.
Somehow, I did find the motivation to continue, the forecast was set to improve dramatically, and often the days when you work the hardest and the conditions are the toughest are the days where the reward is the greatest. Time and time again I’ve started a day in the pissing rain only to be rewarded by clear skies and great views into the evening. In the mountains it is always worth sticking it out – even if the only reward is that the tent will feel just that bit cosier in the evening.
Soon I was at the snowline again and the view began to clear. I was ploughing through knee deep powder which was hard work, but my mindset had flipped. I repeated to myself: the harder the work, the greater the reward as I panted up the hill. Breaking trail in snow this deep for kilometres on end was hard work, but soon the clouds did clear. I could see the path of my steps stretching ou beneath me and the sun poking through the clouds. I let out a cry of elation: the reward was indeed great, joyously so!
I began to become euphoric The views were so wonderful now because the morning had been spent in a white out counting steps and following bearings. The hard underfoot conditions just added to the experience too, making me work hard for each kilometer. A great treat.
I reached the summit and alas began to see other people as I descended towards the next Munro. I’m always glad to see other people out, but crowds do diminish the experience for me.
The final Munro was overcome with ease, leading one last descent. As I dropped down into the valley steeply, I found an idyllic little spot by the river. I was sad I couldn’t stay out another night – it felt rude to leave such a wonderful spot behind!
Oscar Outdoors 