free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
After my 1st winter walk of the season, in slightly wild weather last weekend, i was itching to get out again
The forecast was looking good as i packed my gear Thursday night, my OCD was in full flow
I would be driving this weekend as we needed 2 cars, one would be left at the finish....erm we required 2 cars anyhow as there would be 8 of us doing this particular little walk.
We had decided on the 4 Munros west of the A9 at Drumochter, these hills we had left for the winter as reports suggested this would be the best time to wander them. I had also suggested we could do the Sow of Atholl at the end, a little Corbett perched over the road....well just about.
Picked Leonide up at 6.10am, Stu and Mr pang 6.30am.
The drive up was wild in places but as we passed Pitlochry the moon was shining ever so brightly and looked huge, a magnificent spectacle. This was a good omen for our day
Arrived at the start (Balsporran Cottage) 8.30am and met David, Gordon (sidewinder), Ross and Herman. We put Davids car at the finish.
Good to go at 9am with the sun shining and blue skies aplenty, i feel an ubertastic day ahead
Head SW and Cross the railway
Head up the hill to the highest point
Nearly there....
Munro number 1 - Geal Charn
Views over to Ben Alder Range - Simply Stunning
After soaking in the views we congratulated ourselves for being out on such a magnificent day, just like we did last weekend....2 contrasting weather conditions but in my world both rewarding
Smiles all around we headed onwards South to Munro number 2.
Munro number 2 - A'Mharconaich with views NW to the Alder Range
Although it was cold we had all the right gear so everyone was nice and toasty
We then continued SW towards summit 3 - Beinn Udlamian
On route we had some Dooter Daftness
Me celebrating winning Webtogs Trip Report Of the Decade and an all expenses paid Trip to scale Mount Everest, it was at this point i clicked my ruby red slippers.....damn!!
what age are we....
The light was fantastic, the wind was non existent . We all savoured these conditions, high on life
The "money shots" nearing, and at Munro number 3 - Beinn Udlamain
Summit Poses
Proof of Snow White & those Seven Dwarfs!!
We stopped at the 3rd and had a bite to eat, some had a sneaky wee dram
It was great catching up with everyone as i hadn't walked with some of them good folk for a while. Herman is always good for discussing the merits of indie/arty films, Gordon knows his paint, David and Ross their gadgets, Mr Pang with his climbing trips in the Alps, Stu with his interesting job and Leonide never lost for words and good fun to be around, sometimes....Snow White my ass!!
A real mixed bag which makes walking ever so enjoyable
Herman had mentioned it was his birthday this Tuesday and had invited us for drinks in the West End later that night, an offer one couldn't refuse.
Back to the walk and we continued SW to Munro number 4 - Sgairneach Mhor
The light and mist making for a very atmospheric landscape.
Sidewinder at the top of Sgairneach Mhor - he would also be in "TOP" form later that night in the West End
David - tongue testing the weather!
We met a fella who was just putting on his skis and within minutes was flying (well skiing really) down the hillside....
Being such a glorious day we had decided to do the Sow of Atholl
This was actually the hardest part of the walk due to banging our shins of crusty deep snow then the never ending pull up to the Corbetts Summit - although i enjoyed this as i then felt i actually had pushed myself slightly
We desended the Northern face of the Sow of Atholl which was pretty steep, due care was given. we all had our ice axes out, even Leonide
We all made it safely down just before darkness when the snow storms came, nice timing or what, and headed for a beer in The Atholl Arms Hotel - nice place.
The drive back home was pretty dodgy, i concentrated hard! I inflicted the guys with some sooper dooper electronic sounds from the vaults of my vast collection - Isan, Jon Hopkins, Caribou and Solvent.....Leonide even liked a little tune
Later that night a few of us met in the West End. Herman works in the drinks industry and educated me on some beverages i should try, a nice rum and beer was had. Sidewinder hit the wall and had to be driven to Livingston, how that poor Wife of his puts up with him
Another fantastic walk with a fab bunch of like minded folk.
The buggers are out next weekend to do another 3 Munros which i cant make due to being out Friday and Saturday night, damn....maybe i'll do a TR on how i got home from the pub, should be an interesting read
