Wet and Wild on Beinn Ghlas

Beinn Ghlas (Grey-Green Mountain) 17/5/14

DofE on the move

Today on Beinn Ghlas, Rachel accompanied a Duke of Edinburgh's Award contingent on what was her 4th Munro, with the aim of planting a D of E flag at the summit. For many of the group of 15 who enthusiastically (given the atrocious weather) made their way up this rain-lashed hillside, this was their first Munro - what an introduction!

Taking a well-earned break

The weather was truly awful. Heavy rain, strong winds and poor visibility combined to make this a particularly challenging outing, giving everyone present a real test of their stamina and endurance (and, of course, a test of their waterproofs!). Thank goodness everyone was in good spirits throughout the day, although this too was subjected to a stern examination, particularly near the top, when the wind got up and we experienced the dreaded horizontal precipitation.

Ross had the GPS out

I'd like to be able to describe the amazing views of lovely Loch Tay and beautiful Ben Lawers, the panorama of peaks, glens and valleys stretching away into the distance in every direction. But I can't describe the views - because there were none! Almost from the word go, we fought our way through this eery landscape, inside a cloud and under the protection of our hoods, like drookit rats scrabbling ever upwards through the torrent.

On a positive note, however, the clear days are like a reward for all the dreich days, and they are appreciated so much more as a result. And for all you first timers - the only way is up from here!

Yes - the weather was this bad!



Success! Munro bagged! Flag planted! Angela and Gav at the top

Well, my waterproof jacket failed it's test spectacularly. On returning to the minibus I reached into a pocket for my glasses, and when I opened the glasses case my specs were floating - goggles more like! Sponsored by Speedo! And why is it that waterproof trousers, if they're going to leak, always seem to do so at the crotch - water polo! Note to self: buy some Grangers wash-in waterproofing. Mind you, a new Goretex jacket wouldn't go amiss either. Roll on the referendum.