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Sadly it was a case of last and least. The MWIS couldn't really made up their mind as to what sort of day it would be. The Saturday was forecast to be the better day of the weekend but I had family commitments. So it was the Sunday. With anywhere between 20 to 70% chance of a cloud free Munro. Having done Sgor Gaoith via Loch Einich this was my first visit to Glen Feshie. Was on my way at a minute to eight after a steady two & half hour drive. The prospects didn't look to great, with heavy clouds and no tops visible.
The SMC Munro book suggests cutting SE halfway between the two Allts (Fhearnagan & Garbhlach) and there is a wee cairn and faint path there. However I opted for the route suggested by this site as its a good deal less steep so I continued south till near Carnachuin. As expected there wasn't a problem crossing the Allt Garbhlach.
But the track up from Carnachuin makes for a fairly boring ascent when all it does is take you into the clag. Snow from about 500m along with increasing wind. Took a diversion to the intermediate top of Meall nan Sleac in the hope of some decent views as this was just below the clag. Pretty windy but I got a half decent view of Coire Garbhlach.
This Way To The Clag670m on the track up to Mullach Clach a Bhlair.
Don't Be Fooled By The Blue SkyView the other way.
Meall nan SleacView WNW from the subsidiary top of Meall nan Sleac.
Then up into the clag. The gusty wind was kicking up quite a bit of spindrift by now so it was on with the goggles. Aware that the summit cairn didn't offer anything in the way of shelter I just sat down on the track around the 900m mark to have my elevenses. Onto the plateau and it was a near white-out. However the snow wasn't deep and there were lots of footprints from the day before to follow. A quick photo and out with my handy anemometer. 40mph with -3°C, giving a wind chill of -13°C. So I was quickly on my way. But which way? I did think of just returning the way I'd come. The easiest option but as this was the first time I'd come this way I thought it would be a shame not to see more of Glen Feshie. I'd only have to descent 100m to 200m to get out of the cloud and the weather could well improve. So with my ViewRanger phone in hand it was off in a SW direction. In the end it was only half a k of clag & less than 100m lower to get out of the cloud. There were now decent views S & E with the scudding cloud making things even more dramatic. The southerly wind blasting up the gentle ridge of Druim nam Bò was even stronger that on the summit. 45mph now (with max of 47) giving -14°C. But below 800m things were a lot better.
Well WrappedRather pathetic summit cairn of Mullach Clach a Bhlair behind.
On past the frozen Lochan nam Bò to Creag na Gaibhre, with its well kempt cairn (& putting Mullach Clach a'Bhlair one to shame). A shame the same can't be said of the path from here. The walk description says it is a "well-engineered old path, somewhat overgrown". The "somewhat" is sadly a bit of an understatement. I lost and found the path several times in the thick heather. In the woods I got sick of following it having slipped up twice and instead headed straight down the hillside. No easier but shorter. Had time for to visit the remains of the bridge at Carnachuin. The last hour was the usual weary trudge.
North West Over Glen FeshieGlen Feshie from a bit below the Druim nam Bò bit of Mullach Clach a Bhlair.
Slochds Mòr & BeagSlochd Mòr & Slochd Beag being the small steep valleys disappearing into Glen Feshie, the latter running from left to right in this photo. Slochd is from "sloc", which is Gaelic for pit or hollow. The most famous slochd is of course the highest point on the A9. The Corbett of Carn Dearg Mor on the extreme right. Meall Chuaich is probably the hill catching the sunlight in the distance.
Lochan nam BòView north to Strath Spey over the frozen Lochan nam Bò.
South Over Glen FeshieView south(ish) over Glen Feshie from near Creag na Gaibhre (on the south west descent of Mullach Clach a Bhlair).
View West From Creag na Gaibhre
Creag na Gaibhre & Druim nam BòLooking back at Druim nam Bò from Creag na Gaibhre. The track I took up to Mullach Clach a Bhlair is visible on the left.
Creag na GaibhreView NNW to Strath Spey from Creag na Gaibhre above Glen Feshie. Carnachuin visible down in the glen.
Across Glen Feshie To Slochd Mòr #1
Across Glen Feshie To Slochd Mòr #2
Glenfeshie Lodge
Bridge No MoreThe remains of the Carnachuin bridge which was swept away on 3rd September 2009. There were plans to replace it in 2010 but apparently there have been planning holdups. Hopefully they'll get round to it this summer.
Bridge No More #2So a mixed day. This was only the second Cairngorm where I hadn't got a summit view, the other being Ben Avon. I plan to return to the latter at some point but I don't think I'll be bothering with Mullach Clach a'Bhlair again. But the trip back down to Glen Feshie was excellent (apart from the non-path) and I'll be back to Glen Feshie, probably on my MTB.
Flickr set over
here.
