free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Layby 87, packed solid, managed to get in at the end and up on the verge beside the crash barrier.
Layby 87, A9 Scotland by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Perfect weather so everyone out, got there at 10am, a late starter obviously. Most people doing both munros I assumed, but I went to test my fitness, been such a long time since I actually climbed a munro and even longer to catch a new one. Crossing the A9 was the most dangerous, it was busy at that time. There were signs of an accident across the road, tire tracks and wreckage in the ditch, hope it wasn't to avoid someone pulling out of the layby, but looked likely. The track up the hill is easy to follow, rough and rocky in stretches, filled with snow higher up till eventually reached the snow line. The climb was against the wind too, but didn't really bite, a sign of warming up.
Ben Alder by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
The snow is soft and deep, despite all the people walking there was no firm path, just lots of deep footprints. Okay to start with but energy sapping for me. Chose to go to Carn na Caim, looked the easiest, but in the snow nothing was easy. Toiling to get to the top, which was totally clear of snow. Had a good look round. The coire had a lovely cornice, a reminder of the dangers along the edges.
Carn na Caim Top by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Coire Cam cornice by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
A' Bhuidheanach Bheag by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Had my lunch with my back to the wind. Didn't linger, a serious trudge back through the snow. Extremely glad to get back on the track and cruise down the hill, wind behind, sun in the face. Hit the Irn Bru back at the car as I took all my gear off. Two layers of jacket, kept me cosy. It was 2:45pm. I beat my expectations despite the conditions. Now I just need to keep this up to get my fitness up to where it should be.
