Glen Isla to Glenshee- a round of 4

[Mountainlove]

If you are looking for a challenge to make one of the easiest Corbetts difficult to reach… throw in a couple of Munros and add 20 km, a good cover of snow and you will get there

However you might be, like myself, surprised how wonderful this round is and for those who are looking for a ‘break in the legs after winter’ this is a good option.

With a full weekend of sunshine ahead I set off on Friday straight after work. I had probably found the most expensive campsite in Scotland (£20 per night for a single person in a small tent) However the campsite was overrun by pheasants, donkeys, lamas, chicken, goats and had a bothy plus (due to being the only camper) I was also allocated my own bathroom, which was certainly a first and rather cool! So all in all the high cost was not too bad after all.

A frosty, yet beautiful morning

I had a pretty good nights sleep and had the best intention to set off early. However, with so many animals to cuddle on the way to the bathroom, bothy and back to the tent I was late setting off, but who cares after so many cuddles.

George the goat in a huff after I told him, that he could not join me

Arriving in Glen Isla just before 9am I was still the first car to arrive, which was unexpected. Getting ready I did not had to wait too long until the next cars arrived, but at least I had a head start.
The long walk in towards Monega Hill can only be described as stunning. In the warm Spring sunshine, it wasn’t yet T-shirt weather, but more than a fleece top wasn’t needed. I wasn’t overtaken by anyone either, which gave me the feeling of being totally alone in this beautiful countryside.

The start of the walk with the first mountain to climb just visible in the far distance

The lovely walk in

Climbing the first hill of the day, was a long slog, but with the views all around it did not feel as bad as it had looked from the road. A shame really that this was neither a Munro or Corbett, as it would have really deserved a mentioning in the list.

Views back from Monega Hill

The views from the summit were absolutely breath-taking! The views alone made this route spectacular and if the cold wind would not have been present, I could have stayed for ages.

Amazing views along the edge

View towards Creag Leacach

Looking ahead towards Little Glas Moal

Ahead loomed the large snow-covered plateau area of Little Glas Moal and Glas Maol. It looked deceivingly close and not wanting to waste any time I moved on.
Snow which until now had been absent, started to cover the ground until a thick layer of snow, untouched by any other footprints loomed all around me. It looked lovely, but OMG it zapped the energy out of my legs. I forgot how hard it is to walk uphill on soft deep snow. Slowly with many breaks, I made my way uphill. Behind me in the distance I saw the other group of people approaching. It took far longer than I had first excepted, but I finally reached the cairn.

Looking back the other group just visible as small dots

Lovely summit views

Some rather impressive looking mountains in the distance

I gave the cairn a clap and sat down to have a quick biscuit and drink and chat with 2 other women. Looking across Creag Leacach the distance looked pretty easy and thanks to all walkers who approached the two summits from Glenshee, footprints were plentiful. The group behind me had also now caught up and it was time to head off again.

Creag Leacach

The walk towards Creag Leacach was as easy as I remembered (from a few years ago when I climbed both hills from Glenshee) It was an enjoyable walk and in what seemed like no time, I had reached the second summit. It was freezing in the wind which had picked up a lot since a morning and I only took a few photos until I continued along the stone wall.

View from the summit

Myself on the summit

Just follow the stone wall

Passing the normal decent from the hill (if you climb it from Glenshee) I had to stay high and it was quite confusing, as instinct wanted me to head down. Instead it was easier to stay on the ridge which meant climbing a number of small summits until a wooden fence was reached.

View back along the wide ridge

Monamenach looked tiny and miles away!

Monamenach looked and still was miles away and I was 5 hours into my walk and starving. I decided to walk until I reached the summit of Mallrenheskein to have my lunch break. Looking back I saw the group of people high on the second Munro summit and having my lunch I watched them making their way across the ridge in the far distance.
With energy levels restored I packed my bag again and continued towards Black Hill. Yet again I needed to lose height, just to climb the next hill. Having only done shorter walks throw-out winter, I could now feel my legs complaining.

View back towards Mallrenheskein and the full ridge

The climb up Black Hill was horrible. It was not so much the height, but peat hags were covering a large area and the ground was extremely soft. With each step I sank into soft mud …another energy zapping exercise. It was pretty hard going until harder ground finally replaced the mud bath. Black Hills summit was pretty uneventful and my focus lay on the next downhill climb before Monamenach was reached!

The summit of Black Hill with Monamenach ahead

The last 200m height gain was a simple switch mind off and just climb. The good point was able to see the whole range I had covered in the distance (it looked rather impressive) which made up for the rounded lump I was finally standing on and needed +7 hour to reach.

The not so exciting summit of Monamenach

The downhill climb was easy with the added advantage having the car nearby. With tired legs I drove back to the campsite feeling happy and looking forward to the next Corbett tomorrow.

On the way back to the car

A lovely bothy to spend the evening and have a couple of drinks while cooking dinner

Ben Gulabin

With the 3-3.5 hour walk time estimate from Walkhighlands, Ben Gulabin seemed a perfect choice for Sunday . It allowed me to have a lazy morning while packing up my camp gear and the opportunity to be back home before night time.

Not sure if I am the only one, but my most worry with Corbetts is the parking situation. There never seem to be big enough car parks. A bit anxious I arrived at 11 am and was lucky to get the last space I continued along the road for a bit until I got to the gate from where the walk officially started. Just before the gate would also have been space for a couple of cars, but the layby I used provided a few more spaces.

From the lay-by to the start of the walk

I passed the gate and continued along the landrover track up hill. It was a lovely morning and the views along Glenshee could be enjoyed and provided enough distraction, as my legs were complaining for the first 20 min.

Beautiful Glenshee

The range of hills walked yesterday

Further along I met an older gentleman and as often we chatted and ended up walking towards the summit together. He was walking slow, but in his words avoided breaking into a sweat which would cool him down too much later on.
I had to admitted it worked a treat. By slowing down I had the easiest walk up hill ever…no breaks needed and I was as fit as a fiddle when we reached the summit a mere 1.10 min after leaving the car.

The easy road up

Summit views

The summit cairn

Views down the valley

On the summit we said good bye, as he wanted to continue to the lower summit, while I opted to head back to the car. In less than an hour I was back, still amazed that a Corbett which takes 2h to climb in a very leisurely way actually exists.

The view back down

[dav2930]

Well that looked a beautiful, happy day with lots of cracking photos to prove it! The thought of setting off a bit late because there were so many animals to cuddle is just so charming!

[Mountainlove]

Well that looked a beautiful, happy day with lots of cracking photos to prove it! The thought of setting off a bit late because there were so many animals to cuddle is just so charming!

Aww many thanks was certainly a first, but the animals were just too cute

[Mal Grey]

That's quite a round, fair play to you for choosing the more interesting route.

Must have been great to be up there "In the sky" for such a long time.