Carn Dearg ...

A trip with Alan Anderson had been in the planning for too long. Finally, we got it sorted out the other Sunday but it was to prove challenging. First hurdle was the ridiculous roadworks on the A9 at Bankfoot - Alan got caught big style on a local diversionary route heading up on the Saturday but thankfully early on the Sunday it was less of an issue (I was nearly to miss the Creag Dubh hill race a week later having spent the best part of an hour going nowhere in the same works) ...but the rain was to prove equally challenging. Saturday was great - just a shame it was Sunday the hill was planned for. Being honest, if we hadn't arranged to meet up close to Loch Pattack, I don't think I would have left the house but since plans had been made my Dad and myself headed north. By the time we were leaving Dalwhinnie, the rain had eased and by the time we met up with Alan and nephew Matthew it was "clearing" i.e not raining as hard.

Alan opted for a low level route and Matthew, my Dad and myself headed for the hill. As we started up I wondered what Matthew (a very fit 13 year old) made of us "older guys" - I thought back to when I was that age and starting out on my hill days and some of the folks who led me up hills. Not only was Matthew fit but great company and despite the rough conditions enjoyed the route to the summit. To add a little interest, we spent some time on the map reading (which was necessary in the clag). The summit reached ..time to record the moment.

One of the really nice things was seeing the passion for the hills - Matthew on his 6th Munro and my Dad on his 242nd !



We retraced the ascent route, picked up the bikes and headed back to Dalwhinnie. Met up with Alan close to the railway and headed to the hotel for tea and cakes.

Driving back to Glasgow it was nice to reflect on the day ...the weather had not been great but the viewpoint was fantastic all the same.