Just Me and a Cuckoo

[Gordie12]

The forecast for this morning was for blue sky early on with cloud building up later so an early start was called for.

Parked up at Auchaven and was walking for 7:30am but not quite basking in sunshine, more like long sleeves and a thin second layer to start with.

The walk to Monamenach is short but it doesn't hang about and is fairly steep in places. I had the company of a distant cuckoo on the climb, probably just my imagination but for the last 4 weeks it's felt like each walk at some point there has been a cuckoo. Not sure if this is a good year for them or if I've by chance chosen walks close to where they are regular visitors.

It took me 30 minutes from the car to the small cairn marking where I needed to turn right and continue up hill on a narrower, initially grassy path. A further 15 minutes and I was at the top with just the hint of sunshine breaking through on some hills (but not mine).

The gradient starting to ease

Right turn time

Final climb to the top

It's still just 8:15am and with a strengthening breeze and no sun it's fairly cool so just 10 minutes at the top for some photos then off to retrace my steps back to the small cairn.

Summit cairn with Mount Blair behind

Over towards Glenshee and Creag Leacach

On previous visits to this hill I've always fancied taking a wander along by Creagan Caise Hill so today was the day so instead of turning left and heading back down the track i took the right turn.

A quick descent and ascent and I was on to a more gradual and easy climb.

Creagan Caise Hill ahead

There was a good track all the way to the top of Creagan Caise Hill and beyond to the 658m point where the track seemed to disappear. This was also the point where I would have lost a lot of height (dropping down to Glen Beanie) so a good turning point.

Before turning to return home, I couldn't help but look at Duchray Hill, Mount Blair, Badandun Hill and Monamenach as there looks to be a really good circuit of hills to be had in the future.

Duchray Hill

Mount Blair

Loch Beanie with a patch of sunlight appearing

Back at the top of Creagan Caise Hill I stopped for a quick photo but still no sun.

Summit of Creagan Caise Hill with Monamenach behind

A few minutes after the photos at the top of Creagan Caise Hill I was back at the small cairn for Monamenach so all downhill now.

Heading downhill

Nearly down

Back at the car - suns out!

Preparation done, Pennine Way for me on Sunday

[dogplodder]

So that's what we should have seen from Monamenach! When we went up we were in deep clag, got savaged by midges and picked up about a dozen ticks between us. Still haven't quite got over it.