Cairnwell Three

[JonetCol]

I took a gamble and set off on the WH recommended route from the ski centre (E) car park in rain, low cloud and poor visibility. A guy coming off the hills questioned my sanity, but offered his WH route guide as he'd just finished. (The gamble paid off as the weather improved slightly to get me round.) The guide was useful as there are so many paths using a map alone would be potentially confusing. The steep eroded path looked rubble strewn but got me quickly to the summit of Carn Aosda via its ski lifts. From the top the route to Carn a Gheodh is clear enough as the waypoint beallach is clearly visible. The walk is much more pleasant as you progress because the ski lift detritus gradually disappears behind you. It also feels more remote and the views E to the Glenshee hills and W to the deeper Cairnwells are good. The steep ascent eases off after Carn nan Sac to give a v pleasant ridge walk to the summit. The weather eased intermittently to permit occasional good views of the surrounding hills.
The route retraces the upward route back to the beallach from where it heads east then climbs steeply S to the ski lift pylon and radio mast on the construction litter strewn summit. The views were restricted by the cloud coming down again making it timely to return to the start. I walked back down to the ski fenece and looked for a path directly back to the car park. Finding none I headed down the steep, slippery, grass and heather slopes in a generally NE direction. It looks worse tan it is and is perfectly manageable with care.

Me atop Carn Aosda

loch Vrotrachan from Carn Aosda

loch Vrotrachan from Carn Aosda

Carn Aosda fromm the beallach

Carn Aosda fromm the beallach

carn a Gheoidh fom the beallach

The Cairnwell fom the summit ofC a G

me atop C a G

To N of C a G

to E of C a G

to E of C a G

me atop cairnwell

To n of Cairnwell

to E of Cairnwell

S of Cairnwell?