Blethering Blonde

It was that time again......... the Craggy annual pilgrimage to the Luss Hills.  Today it was just Steve, Jake and Elaina making the most of the perfect weather conditions. It wasn't as snowy underfoot as last year but there was still enough to give us lots of pretty pictures.  Route details on Walk Highlands And off we go, heading up Beinn Dubh Sun glinting on Loch Lomond The boys and Ben Lomond  Views opening up as we reach the first Beinn Dubh Arrochar Alps looking magnificent  Ben Lomond On the summit of Beinn Dubh Heading down off Mid Hill Looking back up Mid Hill

For once the weather gods were in our favour.  The only issue was being able to get to the hills to play in all this glorious snow that had been dumped during the week.  It was a no brainer.  There was only really one contender.  "Just" the Luss Hills for Craggy crew of Alan, Kathryn, Niamh, Claire, Fiona, Jean, Roddy, Steve and myself.  Route details available here from Walk Highlands. Thankfully the roads were OK and we all made it to Luss though the Gaffney's did deploy the snow slippers to escape their campsite. Well I had Lou Reed playing in my head all day as it really was a Perfect Day.  The deep snow may have made it more energy sapping (code for calorie burning) but it was an absolute pleasure to be out on this blue sky perfect winter day.  There were a lot more folk than we would normally see on this route all with the same idea - to make the most of these gems of hills. Needless to say lots of photos were taken and there was lot...

It was the last day of freedom before the harsh reality of work was going to interrupt my time. The night before we had sort of decided on Ben Lomond. That soon changed in the morning when I was having issues with getting in an upright position and we considered the potential state of the road out to Rowardennan. Plan B came into force and Beinn Dubh was to be revisited. I had commented at the time that I'd like to do it again with a view and thought it would be good in snow. Today gave me both. Let the pictures tell the story....................       

I really haven't been out on the hills enough recently for one reason or another. Not a good situation when you need decent hill fitness for winter days. The weather people promised a break from the dirge for a few hours so kit assembled as it was going to be an early start to make the most of this weather window. Luss 8am, still dark and raining!!! This wasn't what they had forecasted. Not to worry, it'll clear, the cloud will lift or at worst I'll climb above it. Oh how wrong I was. I was out, which was the main thing. I was assessing my fitness - not very, and I was getting in some much needed nav practice. I really must book a proper course sometime........ All the way round I kept thinking that these hills are so accessible from Glasgow, only 40 minutes for me on the bus that morning. They'd also be fantastic on a clear winter's day with snow. There's another three hills to add to this route that could turn it into quite an interesting horseshoe. ...