After a month or so of Email communications, Natasha and the AIG team arrived from London spot on time, well equipped, (well, apart from a few forgotten items by someone who actually walks and should know better! ;), and raring to go. The weather was very kind - Following heavy overnight rain and strong winds it was still cold, at around 3c, but bright all day apart from one sharp shower that caught us on the descent from Carnethy Hill. There was a cold wind , max around 30mph, but it was at our backs predominantly, so not an issue. The cold air meant we could see for miles, and the Cheviot hills and munros of Stuc a'Chroin and Bienn Vorlich were easily distinguished, along with clear views of the Forth and her bridges.
We followed the same route I had taken on Tuesday, and made good time. We paused for a moment in the lee of the wind after summiting West Kip, and this allowed us to take in the views and have a snack in relative calm. It would be fair to say some folks found the slippery grass and sludge a little intimidating at first, but the smiles rarely subsided, and confidence built with each hill. East Kip is but a rise in the ridge, and we were soon on the pull up to the highest point in the Pentland Hills, Scald Law at 579m. Natasha had the idea to use our shadows to spell out AIG, but it was realised that the sun was too low at that point after a little indecision. We pressed on to the summit, adorned with its Trig point, and after celebrating the achievement, had another attempt at the shadows. Andy and I, (the guides), stood back, and it was rather amusing to watch the different balletic postures as various poses were tried out! The Trig itself was to be employed as a character at one point, but eventually the wind and cold suggested that descent was imminent and the best policy.
Once out of the wind again, we commenced our final descent. But wait, what's that? Another hill. Carnethy Hill to be precise. Well, the team were in such high spirits and making such good progress that it was decided to add that one in too - woohoo! It would mean a rather longer plod back along the reservoir road, (which was not required at the end of a day that started at 4am for most), but hey ho, let's go! We knocked it off in double quick time, and after some more photos, it really was the final descent. Just at this point we were hit by a very short but very sharp shower, followed by a stunning rainbow, and then sunshine again. Scottish weather par excellence. Also, the path here is/was the most 'Scottish' of them all, and I believe there were a few bum/grass interfaces once or twice ;) Finally we got to the narrow road that services Loganlea reservoir, and I was asked how long back - A hour and a half I replied, much to most folks' consternation. It's great when you're cruising the high ridge, views abounding and your enthusiasm on high setting. But it's quite another when your legs are tiring, the pub beckons and you have encroaching darkness, however cute the wee glen may be.
Well, there was only one thing for it - March. And march we did....well, walked smartly for certain. And Lo!, we were back in one hour twenty five minutes. It just feels such a chore at that time of the day! All that remained was a short car ride to the pub to celebrate a great day out.
Thanks to Natasha for organising it on behalf of all the guys from AIG, thanks to Andy for helping me help the team, and thanks to the Big Man in the sky for the weather. Top day!
We followed the same route I had taken on Tuesday, and made good time. We paused for a moment in the lee of the wind after summiting West Kip, and this allowed us to take in the views and have a snack in relative calm. It would be fair to say some folks found the slippery grass and sludge a little intimidating at first, but the smiles rarely subsided, and confidence built with each hill. East Kip is but a rise in the ridge, and we were soon on the pull up to the highest point in the Pentland Hills, Scald Law at 579m. Natasha had the idea to use our shadows to spell out AIG, but it was realised that the sun was too low at that point after a little indecision. We pressed on to the summit, adorned with its Trig point, and after celebrating the achievement, had another attempt at the shadows. Andy and I, (the guides), stood back, and it was rather amusing to watch the different balletic postures as various poses were tried out! The Trig itself was to be employed as a character at one point, but eventually the wind and cold suggested that descent was imminent and the best policy.
Once out of the wind again, we commenced our final descent. But wait, what's that? Another hill. Carnethy Hill to be precise. Well, the team were in such high spirits and making such good progress that it was decided to add that one in too - woohoo! It would mean a rather longer plod back along the reservoir road, (which was not required at the end of a day that started at 4am for most), but hey ho, let's go! We knocked it off in double quick time, and after some more photos, it really was the final descent. Just at this point we were hit by a very short but very sharp shower, followed by a stunning rainbow, and then sunshine again. Scottish weather par excellence. Also, the path here is/was the most 'Scottish' of them all, and I believe there were a few bum/grass interfaces once or twice ;) Finally we got to the narrow road that services Loganlea reservoir, and I was asked how long back - A hour and a half I replied, much to most folks' consternation. It's great when you're cruising the high ridge, views abounding and your enthusiasm on high setting. But it's quite another when your legs are tiring, the pub beckons and you have encroaching darkness, however cute the wee glen may be.
Well, there was only one thing for it - March. And march we did....well, walked smartly for certain. And Lo!, we were back in one hour twenty five minutes. It just feels such a chore at that time of the day! All that remained was a short car ride to the pub to celebrate a great day out.
Thanks to Natasha for organising it on behalf of all the guys from AIG, thanks to Andy for helping me help the team, and thanks to the Big Man in the sky for the weather. Top day!