Tuesday 4 January 2011

The Cobbler (or to use its Sunday name, Ben Arthur)

Ever since the days in the dim and distant past when I used to take trainees for training dives in the sheltered waters of Loch Long, I have always wanted to climb the foreboding peaks of the Cobbler which over looks the loch.
Maybe Hogmanay wasn't a good choice of timing though.
It looked fine from the lochside.....

...but became icier and icier as we ascended.....
 
...until hard packed ice and the lack of crampons and ice axe meant the only sensible decision was to abandon the attempt about 150 metres short of the first summit.

The return route wasn't any easier, and the views were largely obscured by cloud,
 
....so that's another one we'll have to return to in the summer.

6 comments:

Claude said...

You're brave people. But it looks so beautiful, even with the clouds, I can understand why you would want to climb and reach the top.

I've never done any climbing. What I did, on James Bay and Baffin Island, was snowshoeing. The Natives and the Inuits were the best trainers anyone could have. The snowshoes were made just for you, according to your size. It was great to walk for miles crossing the frozen rivers and the fiord. Once you master the know-how, you can go so fast. You feel that you're running, or flying.

Do you ever do snowshoeing in Scotland?

CalumCarr said...

Never done the Cobbler!

In fact, other than Ben Lomond and Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn) - which I RAN up - I haven't done any other significant climbs/walks.

Claude said...

Just have to pick up my poles, and I'm following you...till it's time to climb. Then I'll just wave!

Ruth said...

I've never done snowshoeing, but it sounds like fun!
The Cobbler isn't a particularly big hill, but it starts from sea-level which makes it quite a challanging climb. I'm determined to get right to the top eventually.
When I do, I'll be sure to post a picture so you can both enjoy the view too :-)

jams o donnell said...

Now there's a stark beauty Ruth

CherryPie said...

The attempt was well worth it for the photographic achievement :-)