Cairn Bannoch

[litljortindan]

Originally intended a walk up Glen Callater but it looked quite cloudy west of Ballater, whereas Lochnagar was completely clear. So it was that I headed to the Glen Muick car park and set off with a plan to reach at least Cairn Bannoch.

I set off at about 7.30am and was kicking myself a bit for not getting there sooner but the weather forecasts had indicated summit cloud clearing by mid day so I had timed things accordingly.

No matter, I was quite happy once I got walking.

Not much of a new walk for me as I had gone round Broad Cairn and Creag an Dubh-loch in 1995 or 1996. That was not a very joyful trip as the walking partty had comprised four halves of four couples whose other halves were on other continents, so all a bit miserable and not really consoled by each other or the scenery. Never mind, live and learn!

The walk was easy until Little Craig at which point I slowed a bit for the navigation of Broad Cairn's boulders. After Broad Cairn I was able to reach the part of the walk I was looking forward to, an investigation of Creag an Dubh-loch's cliff-tops.

There are some dramatic views to be got of the cliffs and views down onto Dubh Loch and then along the lengths of both Dubh Loch and the distant Loch Muick. All too soon though it was time to double back to the path for Cairn Bannch. That part of the walk was much less interesting but much busier; no-one else to be seen on Creag and Dubh-loch but a seemingly endless if sparse stream of walkers heading to and from Cairn Bannoch.

Varied the return by descending the Corrie Chash path though maybe it would have been better to return via Dubh Loch.


Nice early morning light but would have preferred an earlier start.




Easy walking on the track above Loch Muick.




Starting the ascent of Broad Cairn, looking back at Glen Clova.


Monitoring progress.


Broad Cairn beckons.


Broad Cairn northern slope with Creag an Dubh-loch behind.


In amongst the Broad Cairn boulders. Not my favourite place to be but needs must.


More progress monitoring.


Eagles Rock waterfall.


Broad Cairn cairn.


View south.


Broad Cairn from Creag an Dubh-loch southern slopes.




Enjoying walking along the cliff tops.












I double back to the Cairn Bannoch thoroughfare and soon reach the summit. Much more interesting on Creag an Dubh-loch.

Some photos from the Corrie Chash path:









Overall a good walk but would have been better with more time spent at Creag an Dubh-loch and maybe with an earlier start but can't have everything I suppose.