Wow! What an outing and what an amazing report and photographs Andy. You have described everything I would have written about, so job done! Err, well maybe a little more from my perspective.
When we first met in 2007, we both had had an “interesting” day. It was my first time activating in Scotland and I was somewhat naive in respect of conditions on the ground. After all, Galloway was in wussy southern Scotland wasn’t it, not the big butch Highlands and these were only tiddly 1 pointers I was doing… ha ha, think again! I had planned to activate a couple of previously unactivated summits - Cairnsmore (Black Craig of Dee) GM/SS-170, followed by Fell of Fleet GM/SS-181. Thankfully I had information on a few alternatives to hand. Little did I know how taxing Galloway ground would be and although I really enjoyed Black Craig of Dee, it was extremely hard to get up the hill and I ended up with insufficient time to tackle Fell of Fleet. So a plan B was executed.
The tales of Craignaw GM/SS-096 put me off investigating the area further until 2013 when Neil 2M0NCM suggested that we do a joint activation of Craignaw together with Craiglee GM/SS-150. It took us 3 hours to get to Craignaw, Neil leading the way with me trailing behind. Craiglee was a further trial over rough undulating ground, but I managed it okay… at least until it came to the steep haul up into the car park at the end of the walk.
The activations of Lamachan Hill GM/SS-061 in 2015 and Merrick GM/SS-028 in 2019 were both undertaken with Paul G4MD. The routes to these summits had their challenges, not least the final descent down the bouldery path on the Merrick trail. That section got me then and it got me this time. Since falling over an exercise bike onto concrete in 2010, I have a damaged right hip, a damaged right kidney and over the past few years an inguinal hernia, all in the same area. My hip was very painful on the final section and slowed me up, hence why I was several minutes late getting to the car. Since the painful experience with my hernia on Meall Tairneachan GM/CS-080 back in February this year (72 at 72) I have worn special elasticated underwear to keep pressure on it and it certainly works… thankfully no issues on this outing despite the 18km walk.
Those who know me well will know that I am itinerary mad. I checked the timings and you took 4 hours 8 minutes on the ascent, so without my hindrance you would have definitely managed a sub-4 hour time. The 20 minutes extra it took me to get to the summit was partially due to me falling down a hole about a metre deep just after you disappeared out of sight. One leg down the hole, one leg folded up underneath me and the backpack weight pinning me down. It took me a while to extract myself and regroup. Galloway ground… don’t you just love it? I thought I was treading on heather… ha ha!
My descent time was exactly 4 hours… well I like to keep things tidy.
The kit that I used was my KX3 with 2m transverter driving the usual Microwave Modules 2m linear (25W diecast box version) to the SOTAbeams SB5 yagi fed with 4.5m of 7mm low loss coax. First up was indeed Mike G4BLH/P at his usual high spot down in Lancashire - 59+ both ways. He had texted me to say he was waiting and I did not want to disappoint him. Mike often goes out specifically to work me for which I am extremely grateful as 2m SSB contacts are getting fewer nowadays. Next up was Don G0RQL down in Devon putting in a 57 signal. Then I got a call from Steve MM0XPZ, so round went the beam for 55 both ways. When I finished with Steve, I was called by Robin GM7PKT - unexpected as the path between us was not good. After exchanging reports, Robin suddenly disappeared and I realised that he had engineered a contact via aircraft scatter - absolutely brilliant! My fifth contact was actually on CW with Jack GM4COX. We could have made it on SSB, but both of us like the odd 2m CW contact. The frequency then went quiet, so I went over to see how Andy was getting on and he presented me with the wee dram. We chinked bottles and took a swig to celebrate conquering the dreaded Mullwharchar. I had alerted for 2m FM, so decided to have a quick run through on the mode before packing up, leaving the beam horizontal as it would have been too much hassle to change to vertical. I made 9 contacts on the mode, including 2 S2S with Chris 2M0NZB and Kris MM7OAI on Ben Venue GM/SS-058. Everyone was disciplined with quick contacts and minimal chat, so thanks to all. 14 in the log on 3 modes… thank you very much - that will do nicely given the conditions on the hill.
2m set up on Mullwharchar
Big smile - job done!
Andy passing granite outcrops while heading down to Loch Enoch on the return to the car. This is seriously remote country.
When I got back to the car, I was just about all-in. I had my air mattress, sleeping bag and fleece blankets with me and had planned to drive to the parking spot for Beinn a’Mhanaich GM/SS-066 and Beinn Chaorach GM/SS-062, where I would sleep in the car and then tackle the summits the following day. However, I realised that under the circumstances this was not a good plan, particularly as the forecast was for wet weather which would make it a tough day. I therefore decided to make a start on the 355 mile journey home and found a suitable spot to settle down for the night just west of Dumfries. Unfortunately just after 23:00, someone drove into the lay-by, kept their headlights on and engine running, then proceeded to use their mobile phone on speakerphone. After 15 minutes they were still there, so I decided that enough was enough. I got on the road again and made two further stops to grab some sleep en route, eventually getting home at 09:10 the following morning.
So a super day out. I think my tiredness and hip pain dulled my endorphins, but there was a great sense of satisfaction. I am getting old and the distances walked are having a greater effect. I used to think my MTBF (mean time before failure) was 3 hours, but it is nearer 2 hours now. The stop at the coll above Loch Enoch to review the situation, re-energise with a Crunchie bar certainly got me moving again. I was not going to stop there and let the dreaded Mullwharchar defeat me. There was too much invested in this outing.
Andy, my most grateful thanks for the joint activation on this one and indeed on Kirriereoch last year. I would have tackled neither summit on my own. Since that first summit in 2007 I have a healthy respect for all the GM hills and mountains and I can honestly say that this was the hardest undertaken to date… yes, even harder than my day on Ben More GM/SS-001 and Stob Binnean GM/SS-002.
73, Gerald