Hills Climbed March

A winter walking weekend for Geoff, Dick, Roy, Ian and James, based with Isabel & David at Auchterarder.

Our route followed a wet peaty ridge from the dam of Lochan Daimh near the head of Glen Lyon, attaining the main Stuchd an Lochain ridge at Creag an Fheadian. From here the rain got heavier and the 50-60mph winds made walking difficult. Ian, James and Dick decided to continue to the top and were rewarded only with the briefest glimpses of the view, just enough to show that a return visit on a better day would be worthwhile.


.	James and Dick on the summit of Stuchd an Lochain in high winds and heavy rain.	.

Our walk started at Duncroisk in Glen Lochay, following the south ridge of this uncomplicated hill. A heavy shower of snow during the ascent changed the scenery, and a second shower, accompanied by cold 30-40mph winds, made the final climb to the summit rather more than a gentle stroll.


On the south ridge of Meall Ghaordie in new snow, with Meall nan Tarmachan across the valley.	Ian and James below the Meall Ghaordie summit cone in a break between snow showers.	The summit cairn of Meall Ghaordie provided a welcome shelter from the cold wind.

The trip started and ended as usual in Auchterarder, with three intermediate nights at Braemar Youth Hostel.

Friday 3.5.02 - Glas Maol (1068m), Cairn of Claise (1064m), Carn an Tuirc (1019m)

The car was parked at the Glenshee ski centre, and the ski-lifts marked the first part of the route. Glas Maol was a little more hospitable than on our previous visit (Feb 2001). The ridge to Cairn of Claise and beyond is gently rolling heather moor, leading to the stony summit of Carn an Tuirc. Ptarmigan and hares were plentiful throughout the walk.


On the summit of Glas Maol.	Approaching Cairn of Claise with Carn an Tuirc beyond.


Phil's birthday cake on Cairn of Claise.	Looking back to Glas Maol from Carn an Tuirc.

It's a long walk along an estate road from Linn of Dee to Derry Lodge, and most climbers had sensibly brought bikes with them. A good path leads up the nose of Derry Cairngorm to a stony summit, where we saw almost the only wildlife of the day, a pair of Ptarmigan. At the north top, Ian and Phil left the others and descended to the col, then up Beinn Mheadhoin. The summit plateau is sprinkled with rock outcrops looking rather like large barns. One is on the summit and forms the highest point, so had to be climbed.

Returning to the col, the route home was then down past the memorial hut to the valley, with a brisk 2½ hour walk back to Linn of Dee.


Phil, Geoff, Dick, Ian, Roy at Derry Lodge.	The summit cone of Derry Cairngorm.	Arriving on Derry Cairngorm's summit.


About to climb Beinn Mheadhoin's summit barn.	Derry Cairngorm (l) and Ben Macdui (r) from Beinn Mheadhoin.	It was a long day.

An Socach is a stony ridge 1½ miles long, with a rounded top a each end. The west top is higher by just 6 metres. Our approach was from the main road at Baddoch, onto Sgor Mor, then on to An Socach's east top. After a stony return trip to the west top, the chosen descent was down the nose to the Baddoch valley, and back along the estate track to the car.

Both ptarmigan and hare were in evidence during the day, and on the summit ridge a pair of golden plover scuttled across the path in front of us.


An Socach from the north..	The view along the An Socach ridge from west to east summits.

A meeting had been arranged for 10.30 in the Braes of Foss car park at the foot of Schiehallion, with Isobell, Marian and Ronnie. The long summit ridge is surfaced with loose rocks and is hard going. From the summit, Ronnie pointed out the landmarks on the slopes and in the valley, familiar from his days working there as a shepherd.

The walk ended with a relaxing hour in the sun at the foot of the hill, talking and slaking our thirst. And back at Aucterarder, Isobell entertained us all with an excellent meal which drifted on until well after midnight.


Isobell, Ronnie and Marian.	The stony east ridge of Schiehallion.


The summit party on Schiehallion; Ian, Phil, Ronnie, Roy, Dick.	Ronnie surveying his domain from Schiehallion's summit.

James & Ian travelled up on the sleeper, and stayed at Aviemore Youth Hostel. On Saturday they visited cousin Lynda at Dornoch then took a walk along the beach and back along the old railway. Sunday and Monday they walked the hills around the upper Spey valley, before returning home on the sleeper.

Starting at the head of the Glen road above Newtonmore. The day started showery and ended up with continuous rain, so the planned three-peak round trip was curtailed at the first peak.


In the valley below A'Chaileach.	On a wet windy summit; A'Chaileach.

A better day, starting with light drizzle, degenerating to rain and low cloud at the first summit, then drying to a pleasant afternoon.


Geal harn from the col below A'Mharconaich.	Drumochter Pass from A'Mharconaich.	The day's two peaks from Balsporran Cottages.