We set off 30 minuets late meaning a 9:30 start for the walk.
Following the relatively easy track to its finish we could see the clouds were moving over very quickly but as we all know the weather can be changeable so we continued and hoped for the best.
Reaching the end of the track we started the ascent to Sron Gharbh following a stream, this was tough going as the terrain was very marshy, a few meters in one of our members twisted their knee, they then decided that as this had happened before they would rather go back then suffer through it.
Following this we stopped for lunch just before reaching the ridge where we could hear the wind howling ahead.
After a short lunch break we continued up assessing the conditions and at 702m high we decided that the crampons were needed so we stopped and fitted these.
Following fitting the crampons the wind picked up, as forecast to about 55mph gusts.
We continued on with the wind increasing in ferocity.
At 850m we decided to call the walk summit off as we could barely stand up let alone walk along a steadily narrowing ridge.
En-route down the wind died down and the clouds lifted allowing us to continue with the navigation training where the basics were laid down a few months ago.
The last few meters were some of the most interesting on the walk with a bog to walk through.
Following sorting everything at the van we went to the drovers for some food and to reflect on today.
The highlight reflections were:
- It was a good decision to turn back the conditions were just not favorable for ridge walking
- The mountains will always be there, the trick is to make sure you are too - I'm sure this is a quote from someone
Hope that everyone enjoyed it and is looking forwards to the next trip :)
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