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A hagfest on the Lecht TUmps

PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 11:37 am
by Gordon Ballantyne
A short day to the Lecht for these TUmps - Meikle Coire Raibhach ; Carn Liath ; Monadh an t-Sluich Leith.

Parked by the road, as the Lecht Ski centre parks were closed.


The Lecht ski centre from MCR.JPG
The Lecht ski centre from the slopes of Meikle coire Raibhach





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Out and back by the same route - more or less.

Ascended by the access track to the Buzzard ski run to the top and across to the top of Meikle Coire Raibhach.

Passing the top of the Buzzard ski tow.jpg
Passing the top of the Buzzard ski tow


GordonB and Harvey at the top of MCR.JPG
GordonB and Harvey at the top of claggy Meikle Coire Raibhach


Crossed the fence near the top and immediately entered peat-hag central. There were faint ATV tracks which we tried to follow to avoid most of the ups and downs in the hags.

Hag central.jpg
Hag-fest central N of Meikle Coire Raibhach


By following a zig-zag path through the hags which had "hard" bottoms, this facilitated an easier passage through the worst of them.We also utilised the animal tracks which usually go by the easiest path through such terrain - after all, it's their home territory ! However there was no avoiding some muddy plootering over to Carn Liath, following a faint animal track to the top. On the plus side, the sun had come out and the clag cleared, just after leaving the top of Meikle Coire Raibhach. ( The weather fairies had forgiven us ) The NE breeze was tolerable in the sunshine, but a bit chilly when the odd cloud obscured the sun.

The cairn of Carn Liath.JPG
GordonC at the wee cairn of Carn Liath




We didn't stop long on the top of Carn Liath, other than wander around a wee bit to hit the spot height.

Along the fence to the cairn at the N end then down through more hags and up on to the top of Monadh an t-Sluich Leith.

Peat hag central.JPG
More peat hags on the way to Monadh an t-Sloich Leith



GordonC and H at the top of M an t SL.jpg
GordonC and Harvey at the top of Monadh an t-Sloich Leith




We looked across to Carn Mor, but as I'd already done it from Glenlivet, I felt a bit pusillanimus and used my Monday flu jab as an excuse for reducing further exertion. GordonC supported me by sagely drawing breath and mentioning that the weather could change !
Again we wandered around on the flat top trying to ascertain the highest bit.
It was too soggy underfoot after the recent rain with no shelter from the breeze ( not even a cairn ) so we headed back to the cairn at the end of Carn Liaths ridge for our piece stop. It also sported a wee windbreak below the cairn.


Back up to the cairn at the  N end of  Carn Liath.JPG
Back up to the cairn at the N end of Carn Liiath for a piece

Having satisfied our culinary needs, we unfurled ourselves to do battle with the rest of the peat hags. At this point I spotted something yellow on the ground among the rocks. It was a key and label,noting that it was for the "New Garage Door". It had obviously been dropped by a keeper whilst out feeding the grouse. ( the source of the ATV tracks? )
We returned through the Haggery to the top of Meikle Coire Raibhach then down to the Lecht Ski centre.
I found one of the maintenance guys in the implement sheds and gave him the key to pass on to one of the local keepers.
Hopefully the owner of the key hasn't knocked the garage door down in the interim !

H leading his master for the day by the march fence.JPG
Harvey leading his grandad back along by the march fence....



Wistful gaze over the Lecht.jpg
GordonC giving a last wistful gaze over the Lecht before descending to the cars


Gave H a rub down with his towel as we was barkit after plooterin' through all the peat hags. He did have a swim in clean water half way round, but re-clarted himself before we got back ! However - he was happy.......

Not much in the way of wildlife spotted - only a few coveys of unshot grouse, disturbed by our passage.

Stopped at Greiggs for a debrief coffee, then home.
Overall, not a bad day with better-than-expected weather.