MARHOFN 171.09

Hall of Shame

Hall of Shame: Excess Tree Density

Law Kneis (28B, LR79)

Jon Foote: As I put on my boots I nodded to the Deephope farmer, who nodded back in a not-unfriendly way, before I crossed the girder remains of the footbridge. Many damp and desperate compass-less manoeuvres in the forest later, which must have taken me fairly close to the top, I was on my way back defeated when I saw a ride leading to the open fell. It is the one with the old fence leading up it, a clue I might have spotted earlier. I followed this fence up to the top and, not to be outdone by this Knasty hill, went down by the route I had initially tried to ascend.

Cruach Lerags (19A, LR49)

Ken Falconer: By far the worst hill of the year was what I thought would be a gentle evening stroll up 252m Cruach Lerags, south of Oban. I got attacked by a pig going through the farm at Gallanachbeg, then stuck in a bog sprouting head-high bracken and stinging nettles whilst skirting the loch, then ended up scaling a near-vertical crag full of loose rock and heather. There must be an easier way!

A pig waiting to pounce

To crown it all, what had seemed quite a nice evening turned into heavy rain. It was a relief to get back to the youth hostel in time for the last few minutes of the World Cup final.

Peter Collins: I encountered a shepherd sitting down, waiting for the mist to clear so that he could see the sheep to be rounded up. Definitely got to the top this time, using a route from the mast at Gallanachbeg. The top is completely clear of trees.

Alan Dawson: The track from Cologin to the east, shown on my 1992 map, has disappeared from more recent maps, but it's still there as a good path that takes you to within 500 metres of the summit. After that you're on your own. Be prepared for some serious hood-up, head-down twiggery pokery. An old raincoat won't ever let you down, and some stout knee pads might help too. If you think you're on the top but surrounded by trees you need to look further. But it's quick, and fun in a way. Nice pub at NM853260, with handy show-jumping course.