Expedition 173 - 26th May 2007
Ben Laga

 


We had a try at reaching the top of Ben Laga, which turned out to be a bit beyond us, maybe if the weather had been better we would have made it. Once again, fine weather was not forecast but at least the rain held off. This was a small expedition, just five explorers: Alasdair C., Calum, Edward, Nicole and Robbie C. with six adult helpers; Claire, Gary, Heather, Howard, Johnny and Philippa and Ellie, Honey and Roo to keep us in order.
We were able to park the cars easily and soon set off up the track, but we immediately ran into a snag when we found our way blocked by a group of cows and calves who took exception to the dogs, even if they were on leads and behaving impeccably. I put all the expedition into a side track and entered into a short negotiation with the cows, who immediately moved their calves to a place of safety enabling us to continue.
We climbed up the path past the old fank until we reached the high ground beyond the old head dyke. Then we followed the stream up the hill for a bit, the boys found a nice pool in the stream and Honey and Ellie had a very short swim. From this high ground we could see the old head dyke of the Laga crofts cutting across the hills with cultivations ridges below them. Above them there were cattle on the west side of the hill and sheep on the east side.
We cut across the hills towards the top of Ben Laga, but before we got halfway the top of it disappeared in the mist. I decided not to aim for the top and we stopped for our break among a group of shielings on the high ground. I gave a short talk about Scott and Shackleton, emphasising how much more important it was to avoid danger than to risk a dangerous ascent. We had a look at half a dozen old shieling huts before heading slowly down the hills back to the road.
This was one of the shorter routes, although it involved fairly hard climb. Although we got back with plenty of time, nobody was inspired to do much of a drawing so all I have to show is a view of the party resting in one of the ruined shieling huts.

John Dye



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