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We arrived at the car park at about 9.15am. It was not very busy, many of the slopes were closed due to lack of snow. After faffing about with gear for awhile, we finally departed just before 10 up the hill towards our first munro, Càrn Aosda. It was a relatively quick ascent through ski tracks. We reached the peak perhaps within an hour. Sadly no views were to be seen, only fog all around! Nonetheless it felt rewarding to already have a munro under our belt and gave us motivation to complete the next two.
- Route up to Càrn Aosda
We continued along to the next munro, The Cairnwell. After walking steadily downhill in a southwesterly direction for a time we then turned up in the direction of the peak. It was mostly alongside a ski slope, until you reach the chair lift after which it is a quicker, steeper ascent to the summit. Without clear skies and nice views to enjoy, The Cairnwell doesn't quite feel like a mountain peak with the radio masts and power station.
- The Cairnwell (2nd munro)
We paused here for a snack before departing to the third and final munro, Càrn a' Ghèoidh. This one was much farther to travel to and very difficult to navigate in the fog. We luckily had a garmin gps that kept us on course. I don't think we would have found the munro without it! Every time I thought we were going the right direction it would turn out that we were going the wrong way. In some cases walking dangerously close along the edge of Creag a' Choire Dhirich...
- Foggy walking
After a rather long walk over hilly but not very steep terrain we came to an even more foggy, sharp incline to the summit of Càrn a' Ghèoidh. Although relieved to have finished the 3rd munro, we did not linger owing to chilly winds and departed rather quickly back the way we came.
- Foggy walking 2
It was another long return over the hills but it was broken up by a break in the fog where finally we were able to see some views! We looked out over the valley between the Cairnwell and Carn Nan San and stopped for a quick lunch (by this time it was nearly 2.30pm).
- Lunch break
With frozen fingers and tired muscles we were then keen to get back to the car park as quickly as possible! We cut across to the ski lanes and hurried down as quick as our heavy boots would allow.
