How near is near enough?

Mount Keen (7th Aug 2003)


A lovely outing for a summer day (and a chance to test that the ankle was fully recovered - see June 2003).


From a farmhouse B&B near Kirriemuir (highly recommended - www.muirhousesfarm.co.uk), we enjoyed a drive up Glen Esk in the morning sunshine.  From the road end, we were able to cycle another 4km or so on a rough track on the east side of Glen Mark, as far as the Queens Well (right).


We walked easily up the rough track beyond as it zig-zagged up on to the Knowe of Crippley (left).   


From there, a horribly eroded scar led us up to the summit.  You can see it in the photo here, even from a distance.


The heater was in full bloom, and a hot sun blazed down from a blue sky.  (Don't often get the chance to say that!)

Now comes the tricky bit!   I got to within about 2m of the summit cairn (right), and found it was already occupied by a swarm of wasps!  I tried to approach to touch the cairn, but had to retreat.  Tried again from the other side - same result:  angry wasps buzzing fiercely in my direction!  Ah well - if I do a circuit of the cairn at a radius of about 2m, that will have to do.  


Is that near enough?  Can I count it as a climbed Munro.  I hope so!


(written 30/12/09)