More than a year after bagging our first Munro, big lad and I decided to have a crack at the next nearest to our doorstep, down in picturesque Glen Doll. Number 2 son was meant to join us, but had his first camp with Beavers, leaving the big lads to our own devices. First on our hit list for the day was Mayar, summit, 928 meters, and then onto Driesh, which peaks a tad higher at 947m, and be our highest climb to date (by all of 8 metres!)
We set off early as the forecast was for rain late in the afternoon. The cloud base was low, so we didn't get the reward of the view, but a challenge is a challenge, so of we went. Mrs W had a challenge of her own to contend with - he's 5 and energy sapping in a very different way! His little sister, on the other hand isn't quite so much "high maintenance."
The walk starts off with a gentle walk through the forest, which serves to warm you up well for what lies ahead. There were plenty of signs and info boards to keep a budding geek entertained as we progressed up to the base of the proper climb.
Then there is a little bit of a wow moment as we emerged from the forest into the heart of Corrie Fee. For the uninitiated, a corrie is where a glacier formed and cut out the glens as it moved. The photo doesn't do this one justice. After a quick stop, and an early midgie attack, we decided to press on and stop for eats on higher ground, where the wind would keep the little critters away.
The path fades by the waterfall, and we ended up scrambling up the hill behind the crags on the left of it.
Boyo clearly not feeling any pace as yet...
Dad, on the other hand was starting to feel every one of those 40 something years as the climb became evermore vertical... (by the way, what age is considered reasonable for the boy to carry the rucksack I wonder?)
At the point below, R declared that this was much more fun that Mount Keen. I was sensing a pattern - where we walked on a path, he generally lagged behind by about ten paces, in a very similar way to that of a good Muslim wife in some cultures would. But this was different, with was thick grass, with lots of holes, waterways and rocks, and he was in his element. In hindsight, we should have stuck on waterproof trousers as we ended up soaked from the knees down, but the weather was forgiving, so we got away with it. I think I was using the photo opportunity as an excuse to rest on this one. My legs were now working harder than they have done in some months.
We got to the top, about 3 hrs after parking up and stuck a stone each on the cairn. The quick photo was actually taken after we'd sheltered for lunch just off the top. As anticipated, he found the pace in his legs to get there before me, having lagged behind for a while as the walk wasn't so steep (or fun I suppose!)
After a quick lunch for us and Lexi Loo, it was back off across the summit and onwards to Driesh. We'd done the hard work for the day, the rest was much easier by comparison.
Just a few minutes off the peak, the clouds left enough gaps for us to see what we were missing out in the background. It's fair to say that 9 year old boys don't get it though.
That's the peak of Mayar behind him as came off the other side towards our second hill of the day.
Before we started up towards Driesh, a quick look at the route we'd be taking back - down on the left below, you can just about make out the path. I think by now boyo was needing the loo, but neglected to say. More of that later.
4hrs in, and back up in the cloud we managed to shelter in the rocks and rewarded ourselves with more food, including mums home made flapjack.
The decent was only eventful in so much as boyo declared he really needed a poo and had been holding it for hours. After a comical hillside effort, of which I'll spare you the details, he commented "I'll be able to keep up no problem now, that was really holding me back." That proved true, as in no time at all, he'd fallen and landed heavily on his knee in his rush down the hill. No real harm done though, and we were back at the car in a little more than 6 hours. We beat the rain and he is now plotting his next Munro feat - I just have to get O off the mark so he can join us.
