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Date. Saturday 1st January 2012
Completed by. Dave, Julie, Wilson and Jake
Weather. Icy winds, reasonable visibility
Time. 5hrs 45 mins
Distance. 18.5 km
Ascent. 920 m
Hills.
Munro’s x 0
Corbett’s x 1
Grahams x 1
Morven
And
Mona Gowan
Starting from A939 at Glenfenzie
Our 1st walk of 2012 would be a Corbett and a Graham in the Eastern Cairngorms on New Year’s Day. We have been very busy of late; work, parties and family get togethers. Basically every thing except trips to the hills.
So with the weather looking promising we made the decision to head over the Cairn ‘O’ Mount, through Ballater and on to the A939 Gairnshiel – Corgarff road. And from Glenfenzie we would attempt a nice we circular route catching the Corbett Morven and Mona Gowan a Graham the sits NW of Morven
There was not a lot of ascent to claim those two hills, perfect for our out of shape bodies. The 18.5km was the bigger worry. Too much time away from the hills don’t do the confidence any good, so the sooner we got back the better.
From Glenfenzie we took the lower track that would lead to Morven Lodge crossing several swollen streams as we went. Lucky for us we reached the lodge and its outer lying buildings with our feet still dry. We stopped here for about 30 mins for an early lunch, and mulled about before deciding to move on.
We left the track and headed around the South end of The Tom, a pine forest about 1km NE of the lodge. From the forest it was about another 4km gradual climb to reach our first summit of the day Morven. Did not stay long here, an icy wind had been building, and once we reached the summit it was freezing. Just had time to add a comment into the summit book before moving on.
- lodge
- lodge building
- Mona Gowan with the Allt a Bhreabair burn gully
- Looking back down to Morven Lodge
- Jake and Wilson on Morven
- Morven summit
We headed NW from here just avoiding the 681 spot height, then headed for the Slacks of Glencarvle. The slacks looked to be the most interesting part of the walk and did not disappoint. A steep sided gorge, and it even had a mini rock tower lying lower down on the North side. Once we climbed out of the Slacks it was only another 1.5 km to reach Mona Gowan. Was pleasantly surprised with this walk so far, it had turned out to be a fine walk indeed with some good views.
We moved on again, West from the summit and reached Cairnegour Hill. From here we took some pics back along the walk we had came. From Cairnegour hill we moved on West for bit, we then reached a hill track and headed South down of the hill where we eventually reached the road. South again for 1km we reached the car.
- The bad boys
- Nearing the slacks. with Mona Gowan behind.
- Mini rock tower. Looking to Strathdon.
- Tower again.
- East side of the Slacks
- Mount Keen ?
- Back to Morven
- View back from Cairnagour Hill
- Looking to Carn Ealasaid
- Morven again
Good to be back, I feel we have been getting very lazy of late. Hopefully that will all change in 2012.
Wishing you all the very best in 2012. Happy New Year.