The Unprecedented Exploits of A Canadian Whovian in Scotland: Mountain Scrambling Tips

A blogpost from Ardgour at last, you say? Well, who'da thought it, eh?

Yes, I did finally make it to Ardgour after approximately a five hour drive. The countryside is stunning to say the least. But then I might just let you make your own opinion:

So ya know....not too shabby...

Thankfully, our first days (Saturday and Sunday) are both off. So Saturday, I decided I needed some introvert time and went and climbed Creach Bheinn (the name of which I found out later thanks to Wikipedia), one of the mountains behind the center.

Tips for Climbing a Trail-less (it is now a word) Mountain (Disclaimer: I am not a professional Mountain Scrambler, therefore, this is merely advice and not a set of laws that must be adhered to. If you have anything you think I should add, please comment. If you disagree with anything or think this is a complete load of nonsense, write your bloody own list.)

Be Careful. Now this may seem obvious but I cannot stress it enough. It may not seem that steep or that difficult a climb—beware..pride cometh before a fall and all that...
Bring a Friend. Now though bringing a friend isn't strictly necessary, it is definitely safer, which goes hand-in-hand with point number one: Be Careful.
Go the Safest/Easiest Way Up. Maybe this seems the cheap cop out to "real" Mountain Scrambling, but you will not regret it. This is especially important if you are going up alone. Seriously. However, if you are experienced with this type of thing or you've climbed this mountain before, do whatever you want, I'm really not in control of your decisions. I only offer advice.
Plan Your Route Before You Go. I didn't follow this tip and paid for it. It was alright on the way up, however, the way back down was much trickier. As much as you think you should know where you've been since you're seeing it again, you really can't. Eventually it all becomes grass.
Wear Sensible Clothing. Now, basically, what I mean by this is where clothes that suit the weather. You can go ahead and wear shorts and a bikini top (my choice when I went up) if it's super hot and you don't mind the risk of ticks, but if it's raining definitely put some waterproofs on and a nice waterproof jacket. You don't have to wear hiking books (though it would probably be easier); trainers are always a go, but never, ever, ever, wear flip-flops or any other kind of sandal. This is a horrible idea. The grass might look nice and short and it might seem like it's going to be a pleasant jaunt up the hill--DO NOT BE DECEIVED! The grass will be at least a foot high, if not higher, and there will be ticks, and there will be rocks to scramble over, and there will be wet bits due to mountain streams.
Check for Ticks Often. It is inevitable that you will get at least one tick. These Scottish devils are miniscule, a "smaller-than-a-millimeter" kind of miniscule. No joke. It is not acceptable. Therefore it is a definite must to check often, especially on your legs (if you have bare legs) and your hands (because you will eventually put your hands in the grass...we'll get to that point later). This is would be where a friend would definitely be handy because obviously you can't always see the very backs of your legs and since the ticks are so tiny they're easy to miss. It is also advisable to take your tick checking breaks on rocks. Do not stop in the middle of the long grass to check. Ticks love long grass and will be more likely to get on you if you don't keep moving. I, personally, like to stop on the random rocks/boulders that you will inevitably come across. It is, of course, possible to get ticks on you from the rocks, but it is much less likely.
Take a Ton of water. This is especially important if it is a warm, sunny day. You may think that it's just pleasantly warm and you'll be alright, but once you start ascending you will want that water desperately.
Take Breaks and Set Goal Points. The best way to both take a break and set a goal (and, coincidentally, drink plenty of water) is to set smaller goals. It's easiest to make your goals and break points coincide at certain rocks. Pick a boulder, set your eye on it, and make yourself get there by promising yourself a quick breather, with some water, and a speedy tick check. Also, if it makes you feel better, whip your camera out and snap a few shots of the view just so you can attempt to convince yourself your really just stopping to admire the view and not because you're out of shape (or maybe that's just something I do. . .)
Don't Be A Diva. What I mean is this, man up (and I mean that in the best possible sense). You will get dirty, sweaty, and ticks. It's gonna happen. Accept the fact and move on. Also, be willing to put your hands in the grass and heather in order to stay safe and have a hand hold. Don't think about the fact that there might be bugs or any other sort of horrible thing. Just do it. It's safer that way. Man up, but don't be cocky (more on that later).
Push Yourself, But Not Too Hard. Make yourself work, but don't exhaust yourself. Because once your up, you still have to make your way back down through the rocks and it will be just as difficult. So if you, like I did, reach a double bluff (this is where you get to what from all possible angles of your sight when you were going up, looked like the top, and then you find that there's still more to go. . .) and you don't have much energy left to spend (and you suddenly realized that you have to go back down and you didn't really plan a route and you really probably should have taken someone with you . . .) don't climb the second bluff. Admit your defeat, swallow your pride, eat a bag of crisps, drink some water, hike up your socks, and head back down.
It Really Is Easiest When You're Basically On Your Hands and Knees. You will have to go up steep bits, and rock bits, you will be bent over holding on to things, and basically horizontally climbing. Embrace this. Pretend you're a mountain goat or something, whatever makes you happy. Just accept the face that you probably are in a very unflattering, not at all photogenic position and carry on. Make goat noises if that makes it easier, whatever floats your goat--I mean, boat...
Take It Slow. Going down, in many senses is much more difficult then going up. Since the mountain will be quite steep, a hug part of your body will just want to run down. Suppress this. It will probably get you killed. You'll start out running and end by rolling very painfully (think The Princess Bride fall down into the ravine that leads to the Fire Swamp. Picturing that? Yeah..not cool...). Instead, take things slow. Keep near the tall rocks as they make great hand holds. When going down more rocks, go ahead and go down on your bottom.
Don't Get Cocky. So you made it to the top, and now you've made it back down the steep rocky section and you're back on the gentle slope, do.not.get.over.confident. You are probably more likely to twist your ankle on the grassy slope then you were on the rocky, steep section simply due to the fact that you are being much less careful. Make sure you keep watching your step. There are still odd changes to the hill, and there are probably many rabbit holes that you could easily step in.
Don't Forget To Take In the Scenery. You can get so distracted by making sure you don't step in a hole, that you forget to take a look around you. Be careful, but not so careful that you forget to admire the stunning mountains that are the Western Highlands of Scotland. Because, as they say in the West Highlands, "West is Best." One look at the views, and you'll just have to agree.

So now that you have read the Mountain Scrambling Tips, here are a few more photos to tide you over till tomorrow's (probably...) blogpost...

Thumbs up for the view, and the fabulous hair, obviously ;)

And after my hike, it was so warm I went to swim in the lake. The beach is not a beach, it is rocks, and more rocks. But the water was nice and cool so it was worth it.