free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
This is one of the infamous Sub 2000 hills and out of the 16 walk reports I didn't notice one that raves about the hill. I wonder if any of the 16 have returned?
Both Parminder & myself studied all the reports to try & work out which route would be best / easiest, there are basically 3 options, from the east, north or west.
The North is definitely the easiest as we used that route to descend, however if you carry on reading you will see that is not without complications.
The West has a couple of intrepid reports starting just past Loch Shandry, we didn't fancy that as it is a mixture of new growth, debris from old trees and steep.
So we opted to tackle it from the east, as that seemed to be the way the majority tackled it from, it also makes sense if in theory you are planning to nip across the glen and nip up Hare Cairn. I studied Malky & Weaselmasters reports and our plan was to follow the latter. I had downloaded both routes onto my phone, however we had to amend our plan of attack - Weaselmasters access point was badly overgrown & as we weren't carrying a chainsaw or machete it was a no no. So the route was going to be try & keep going uphill whichever appeared to be the easiest & safest way.
Angus has been our second home for the last couple of months well every weekend and we have been slowly visiting the numerous hills in the region. It was Parminder's turn to drive and his car knew the way as we recently parked beside Backwater Reservoir, which is just slightly east of where we were heading.
We parked at the Freuchies car park & set off on our way about 10am we headed north along the eastern track, it was obviously heavily used by large vehicles as the track was muddy with plenty of tyre tracks. After a couple of Km's we heard the sound of vehicles & soon saw that forestry vehicles were in operation on a SUNDAY. Now for the photo's, if anyone has a tree phobia look away now.
Car park also doubles up as a recycling centre - loosely speaking
Heading up that track to the left of the fence
Take your pick
Very gradual incline to start
Well used track
Way ahead
It was now that we could hear the forestry workers in action
Plenty of timber lying around ready to be stacked, Hare Cairn is hiding under the low cloud
This was going to be our route across to Hare Cairn
Plenty of timber stacked ready for uplift
Parminder waited on the track to see how I got on, let the fun begin
So far so good
Here comes Parminder
The way ahead, we kept to the right hand side of the newer trees
We spotted a couple of caravans, probably used by the forestry workers
Parminder surveying the way ahead
The first warning sign of what is going to 'literally' lie ahead
Easy so far
Not sure he is impressed with what lies ahead
Looking south across the tangled mess
Parminder enjoying and savouring the moment
Next hurdle
Still doable, but getting a bit more challenging
Fallen trees becoming more frequent
Here we go, I was scanning the way ahead uphill hoping to find the easiest & safest option
I was loosely following what looked like deer footprints in the damp grass, my theory being if they can get through this mess then so can we
Looking back, Hare Cairn starting to appear, you can see the tree line on the right
Still doable
Looking back
Hmmmm
Getting a bit more congested
A mixture of new growth & dead wood that was snapping with the slightest bit of pressure
Hare Cairn now visible as is Parminder
Over, under or through?
Parminder about to appear
Here he is
Parminder huffing & puffing
Time to take off the rucksack
Parminder about to appear
This may be where Parminder lost his 'piece' box & a bottle of juice, his rucksack zip had been opened by the debris, so if anyone fancies some Tuna sandwiches you had better get a wiggle on if you want a free lunch!!
Action shots now
Hurray, we made it out of the forest
Parminder appearing
It's not often one is pleased to see heather, but we were overjoyed
Safely out of the clutches of the forest
After the struggles, the views were almost worth the effort
Hare Cairn has escaped from the clouds
Cairn now in view, there is also a track through the heather
All that effort for the enormous cairn
West and Mount Blair
Here comes Parminder, he had stopped to dig out his piece box only to find the forest had stolen it!!
After a wee chat we decided one thing for sure we weren't going back the way we came and would 'bin' the idea of nipping up Hare Cairn as well. So we are heading north to look for the "Fire break" with a view to a nice easy descent. Fire break not obvious from here
A bit nearer & it still isn't obvious
Here we go, wish us luck
This looks very familiar!
Easy so far
Looking good
We were very happy so far
Look at this - absolute luxury
Like an avenue
And then - a wall of trees, don't think we will be going straight ahead
Closer view
We opted to head SW or left as there is another fire break slightly further down in this direction
Here it is, plan worked a treat
Bit of tufty grass, no problem
We could now see the track at the end of fire break
Safely on the track that completely circles Crock, we were now on the NW corner of the track and had about 4km to amble back to the car
As we were wandering south we were constantly scanning the hillside round Crock, this is to the west of the summit, newly planted trees mixed in with old tree debris
Somehow doubt if this timber is going to be uplifted - terrible waste
Our first view of Loch Shandry
Spotted an odd looking out of place plant at Tulloch
Loch Shandry looking very calm
Boat house in the distance
Zoomed
Arty shot of the loch
Parminder demonstrating what a mess the forest made of his trousers
A tough day as we expected, even though we didn't manage to nip across to Hare, it will still be there for us in the future. 3rd outing for us so far this year, once the weather improves and we get more daylight hours we will start to venture further afield (hopefully).
