MildredsSmurf
Extremely Talkative
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I have looked upon Ben Shee in the Ochil Hills many a time from other hills, but I've never made it there. I've always wondered what the view down Glen Eagles would be like - it might be good!
So Saturday afternoon I set off from Dollar, past Castle Campbell and up the Glen of Sorrow, which despite the name is a joy to visit with its rough paths and solitude. The one problem I had was the 12-15kg pack on my back so the glen of Sorrow was a good route to avoid the 2000ft high hills that otherwise block my route to my destination. Eventually, I reached the top of the glen and after faffing about to get past deer fencing I eventually spied my destination, Ben Shee, a little known 1700 ft hill in the boring (but deserted) middle of the Ochil Hills.
I eventually reached the top of Ben Shee with an hour of daylight to spare and the easterly wind was fierce at the top and it was cold too. I decided that tarping on the top, although the most logical thing with its short grass, was a bad idea, so I headed to the sheltered side of the hill to see if I could find a sheltered spot. I did find a small shelf of flat ground underneath a crag and decided to set up camp here.
I started off trying to wedge pegs into the rock cracks but realised that I would be loosening it and could end up with a bit landing on my heid overnight. So I put in pegs around the crag and used paracord to fix it over the rock - I was quite pleased with how it turned out. I'd used half the tarp and draped the unused half down and under my groundsheet. There was only just enough room for me, but it was great for taking pictures from.
I did indeed get some sunset pictures before the sun disappeared.
Here is the view down Glen Eagles from my vantage point:
I'd awoke around 1 am and the half moon was bright - you could have walked in it. I sat for a while watching the occasional car going down the Glen and the bright lights of Crieff twinkled in the distance in the cold night air.
In the morning I'd set my alarm for 5 am, but was on the wrong side for the sunrise and wasn't really for happening anyway. There was frost on the tarp and I was glad I'd bought extra gear as I had managed to stay warm.
I'd packed up and had left by 8 am and decided to return over the 2,000ft peaks because it was quicker. The weight on my back slowed me down and reminded me of my lack of fitness. The steep descent from Whitewisp and Saddle hill also reminded me how old my knees were as the additional weight reminded me what kneecaps feel like!
I was relieved to reach the car in Dollar and enjoyed the floaty feeling once I removed the rucksack, it was a relief to finally sit down.
So Saturday afternoon I set off from Dollar, past Castle Campbell and up the Glen of Sorrow, which despite the name is a joy to visit with its rough paths and solitude. The one problem I had was the 12-15kg pack on my back so the glen of Sorrow was a good route to avoid the 2000ft high hills that otherwise block my route to my destination. Eventually, I reached the top of the glen and after faffing about to get past deer fencing I eventually spied my destination, Ben Shee, a little known 1700 ft hill in the boring (but deserted) middle of the Ochil Hills.
In the morning I'd set my alarm for 5 am, but was on the wrong side for the sunrise and wasn't really for happening anyway. There was frost on the tarp and I was glad I'd bought extra gear as I had managed to stay warm.
I'd packed up and had left by 8 am and decided to return over the 2,000ft peaks because it was quicker. The weight on my back slowed me down and reminded me of my lack of fitness. The steep descent from Whitewisp and Saddle hill also reminded me how old my knees were as the additional weight reminded me what kneecaps feel like!
I was relieved to reach the car in Dollar and enjoyed the floaty feeling once I removed the rucksack, it was a relief to finally sit down.
