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Sub 2000 Marilyns: Creag Bheag.
Date: 26/06/2014.
Distance: 5.5km
Ascent: 265m
Time taken: 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Weather: Sunny but cool and breezy
I've used my work enough over the years to get me to the hills - now time to use Gill's work! She had a parents evening to attend at Kingussie high school, so I thought I'd manage a quick round of Creag Bheag. Been meaning to do this for a long time, possibly with an extension onto Creag Mhor and the Monadhliath if I had time.
Just time for a leisurely circuit of Creag Bheag this evening, but luckily some fine weather. Left the school car park at 6pm and wandered up the road to the golf course. At the golf course and caravan park, I picked up the signed path network around Creag Bheag. I have an alarming tendency to get lost in this sort of terrain, but that would have been extremely difficult here.
No chance of getting lost on the way to the top:
After an initial pleasant section through the woods, but with few views, I popped out at a viewpoint over Loch Gynack. Then followed a well made path steeply up to the summit area.
Path skirts through the woods on the eastern flank of the hill:
Loch Gynack and Carn an Fhreiceadain:
Pitmain Lodge:
Well made path to the summit:
Loch Gynack from near the summit:
Creag Mhor and Loch Gynack:
Speyside looks really lush in a way you don't appreciate from the higher summits, so I passed the various summit contenders and had a leisurelty break at the southern end. A bit colder than recent weeks, but perfect for keeping the midges at bay.
Greag Dubh and the Loch Ericht hills:
Newtonmore and Upper Speyside, including Creag Dubh and at least two Geal Charns (maybe even three):
Across the Spey to the Glen Tromie Hills, including Meallach Mor and Meall Cuaich:
North across the summit area:
Kingussie and the Western Cairngorms:
I phoned my sister for a catch-up, and forgot how much she likes to ramble on - suddenly it was 7:15pm and I had to rush down!
Croidh-la and Carn Dearg Mor:
More good paths on the way down gave this hill the feeling of Loughrigg Fell in the Lakes (except much less busy). Back down to the car for 7:30pm, and I'd forgotten how much Gill likes to ramble on as well - she was among the last people out of the school about 40 minutes later. Didn't need to rush that last bit after all.
Plenty of route options:
An enjoyable little hill that you could easily pass 3 or 4 hours exploring - particularly with a diversion down to Loch Gynack.