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This walk has been on my to do list for quite a while, although this walk is rated quite low by other walkhighlands users, it has a very easily accessible car park and very achievable summit in snow and ice conditions. With the forecast looking promising we set off for the car park at Auchallater after a leisurely breakfast and arriving at 10am.
After a quick fly around with the drone we set off and after coming round the first corner to begin following the Callater burn, we knew we'd be in for a fantastic day. The ground conditions were good, with a hard layer of packed snow, the sun shining and mild wind blowing down the valley. And by some good fortune, I'd just bought the new iphone 12, so would be a perfect opportunity to make use of the camera and see just how well it performs in strong light conditions. Fortunately 2 other walkers that day had trod a good path for us through some of the deep powder snow going up to and onto the ridge line to Creag nan Gabhar
At the time this felt like a truly special day. To reach the summit in near perfect conditions and even be able to fly the drone at the cairn, with visibility for miles... As if Loch Callater wasn't already one of most enjoyable places to visit, for a brief moment it felt like the greatest place on earth on that summit. Home by 5 for Burns night inspired Balmoral chicken topped off the best day for a long time.
Drone footage to follow!
- Gate at Auchallater car park
- Looking towards Creag nan Gabhar
- Ridge line to Creag nan Gabhar
- Looking towards Glenshee, almost at the summit
- Summit cairn looking towards Ben Macdui
- Looking south towards Glenshee and Carn an Tuirc
- On our way down to Loch Callater
- Frozen Loch Callater, Carn an t-saigart mor in the distance