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Another Saturday pass - big decision where to head
First problem I had to be home by 5pm as Mrs F was taking me out for dinner and I couldn't be late
With a relatively small time window I had to select something "easy"
Tommy had volunteered/made himself available, I kind of fancied heading across to Stob Ban near the Grey Corries, but that would have meant another early rise at silly o'clock and the same drive as last week, except maybe 10/20 miles shorter. So I checked Tommy's blue balloons to see what we could tackle and opted for Mayar & Dreish, I knew they should make a great day out especially if they had been sprinkled with snow
I have climbed M & D on 3 previous occasions, all in summer conditions over a 20 year period
Arranged to meet Tommy at Broxden between 7.30 and 8am, we were both early so we set off through Perth and made good time through Blairgowrie and arrived in the car park at Glen Doll just before 9.
Round of applause for the Forrestry Commission
I went to the pay and display machine to put my hard earned coins into the slot only to find a note stuck on the machine saying that both machines were broken and parking is FREE
Has anybody ever heard of a local Council doing that at one of their cash generators? I somehow doubt it
We set off at 9 prompt and the walk through the forest along the track did seem an awful lot longer than I remember from my previous visits, but as usual once you exit the forest the view of Corrie Fee still never fails to amaze
There were a few other walkers lingering around and taking photo's, so we joined in
- Corrie Fee from the photo spot on the edge of the forest
- Corrie Fee from a wee bit closer
- The view to the north of Craig Rennet from the photo spot
- View to the south of Corrie Sharroch
- Waterfall in Corrie Fee
The path that winds it's way through Corrie Fee is very well maintained and good progress can be made, alot of work must have been done as parts of the path, especially the uphill sections have stones placed that make going uphill much easier than normal - kind of reminded me of the path up the "wee bookil"
As we got higher and had passed all the other walkers, the surface started to become icy in patches underfoot and snow was lying, so at the next convenient spot, ie somewhere to sit, we stopped and donned our additional footwear.
Tommy had his crampons, but I foolishly, having assessed the conditions from the car park, left mine in the car. I had my micro spikes in my rucksack so they were slipped on over my boots in record time
- Tommy hatching his plan of ascent
- Looking back towards the forest
- Waterfall from a wee bit closer
- Plenty of ice around
- Looking back from a bit higher
- Waterfall again
So we were now ready for anything. The path uphill was very patchy snow and ice wise and Tommy had this 'great' idea/suggestion, that rather than continue up the path why not take the "direct route"? There was a gully up to the left and from the path looked fairly or reasonably doable, so not wanting to be a wimp I agreed with his suggestion - let the scariness begin
It is just a shame that I didn't take some photo's before we set off up the gully, I got myself prepared by putting my camera in my rucksack. Started the initial climb by using my poles to assist, however they soon became more of a hinderance, so they were packed away and out came my ice axe
I must explain that I have had my ice axe for quite a while now and recently it has been attached to my rucksack making me look like a proper hillwalker
I have never had any reason to set it free, but this was it's big opportunity
The snow in the gully, was very firm with what seemed like a layer of ice covering it. Tommy was leading as he was better equipped, even without an ice axe. he was trying to create steps in the rock hard snow, which as the angle of ascent increased, became much harder.
After about maybe 50m of ascent, it became much steeper and we discussed the best option and I was going inch my way across to my left and continue the climb on the rocky/snowy/icy/heathery slope as that looked like the easiest way up. Going back down was definitely not an option for either of us as it was far too steep
I inched my way across to the heather using my ice axe to great affect, however things only got slightly easier
I had to take my gloves off so I could make use of the heather and grip it tightly - I must stress no heather was damaged on my ascent
After inching my way up, while Tommy continued to make very slow progress on the snowy gully. It then got a wee bit steeper and Tommy decided to inch his way across to his right and use the rock and the edge the snow.
Both of us were constantly talking to each other and although making light of the situation, we were both not enjoying it one bit, my hands were shaking and Tommy said his legs were like jelly
I had to laugh when Tommy posted his GPS stats on FB which said he had burned 2795 kCal (whatever they are), I am sure I must burned twice that through nervous energy
Once I reached the safety of a small ridge, I thought I have to get my camera out and take some photo's, unfortunately as I said to Tommy I bet the photo's don't show how steep the gully is - and I was right
- Tommy inching up to join me
- Head down in concentration
- Still doesn't look steep
- Nearly there
Once Tommy joined me, the incline eased quite a bit and we soon reached the top of the gully and a huge expanse of snow
It seemed as if we had spent ages on that part of the ascent, as it turned out we must have made quite good progress because the other walkers would appear behind us
- We felt so tall after our accomplishment, what a relief to see much flatness
- Such a small cairn on Mayar after all our efforts
- Looking south from Mayar
Lunch was taken on the summit of Mayar and well earned, it was very windy and the forecast did estimate with the chill factor added on, the temperature would feel like -13deg and certainly was cold, you couldn't take your gloves off for any length of time.
The descent off Mayar was very pleasant, not steep but the snow had a nice firm crust on top which helped us make good progress. I remember from my previous walks that there are a few boggy areas on the way to Dreish, but that was all iced over so it was an easy romp.
As approached the ramp up to Dreish I pointed out to Tommy the descent path
The climb up Little Dreish was not what you could call pleasant, after our exploits and fresh ascent was unwelcome
- A 'professional' photographer taking photo's down Corrie Kilbo
- Tommy relaxing against the trig on Dreish
- Me propping up the trig
The summit of Dreish is a huge plateau and a shelter which has been built around the trig, it was still windy and cold so after a few photo's we were off and starting the descent.
We still had our additional footwear on and that would remain on until we reached the lower slopes before we entered the forest. The path that takes you down the Shank of Drumfollow is usually fairly easy, albeit seemingly never ending, it takes you down at an almost constant angle. The path on our descent was covered in ice and hard packed snow from other walkers, so great care had to be taken, as a result you were totally concentrating on the next step
- The path down
- Looking down to the forest
- If you saw this from the car you wouldn't bother carrying crampons!
The walk back down through the forest and back to the car park seemed to take no time at all
What I thought was going to be a nice easy walk turned out to be a harsh lesson - for both of us
Thoroughly enjoyed the day and a big thank you to Tommy for being great company
This walk highlights you can make any day as easy or as hard as you want, I thought we did superbly well to complete the walk in under 5 hours
Next on the horizon for me at least is a trip way up north west to the Fannichs next Sunday, weather permitting to join what could be quite a gathering of WH folk - bring it on