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An Socach Braemar- My first Munro since the Kintail meet!

PostPosted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:12 pm
by nathan79

14.03.2012 An Socach.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



As stated in the report title i hadn't been near a Munro since the partial South Glen Shiel ridge burdened with a Stretch-induced hangover.

My intentions had gone from a first wildcamp and finishing of the Loch Muick Munros, to a bunkhouse, to finally ending up as a day trip to Glenshee.
Out of the door just before 8 to arrive at the parking area at Creag Leacach(which i debated doing as a warm-up) before moving on to An Socach as the cloud was still shrouding the CL summit, a cool 4.5°C in the glen. Parked up at spot number 2 and set off on my way shortly after 10am.
Used this day to test the new Canon compact i'd bought against my Fuji bridge camera so the pics are a mix of the two.

Still not looking too promising up top, but MQIS promised it would later.
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From the road


Right after the farmhouse i took the wee bridge accross the burn and headed straight up the shoulder of Sgor Mor, which i figured would get me nice and high early in the walk. This made for a much more undulating walk than i'd thought but there were periods of okay visibility and soon enough i could see my main objective in the distance, albeit still shrouded by cloud.
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Reached the rocky ridge a bit after 12 and stopped for a quick pic of the shelter there before pressing on, hungry for a cookie and coffee at the cairn.
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Eastern shelter with the main summit in the distance.

Summit at last shortly after 1. 4 ptarmigan circling the summit while i rested and refuelled. Not sure how long i sat here for, but it was long enough to get pins and needles :lol:
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Summit cairn and some blue in the background as the heavens begin to clear


Time for the descent, this time via the WH route which was far preferable to a return via the long-winded way i'd ascended. Visibility much better now, the Cairnwell Munros were clearly visible.
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Carn Aosda and the Cairnwell

an abundance of wildlife came out to play over as i got closer towards the floor of the glen, i posted some pics over in the wildlife section http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=19345

Easy enough stroll back along the landrover track to the car, one last look back on the way.
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A fine dayout and i can't say i was too drained. Between frog-related delays and the cloud still topping the east side of Glenshee i abandoned ambitions to nip up and down Creag Leacach to complete the Glenshee peaks. My legs are probably rather grateful.

Re: An Socach Braemar- My first Munro since the Kintail meet

PostPosted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:17 pm
by L-Hiking
Thanks Nathan this looks like one for me in May...not to demanding for the Mrs :lol:

Re: An Socach Braemar- My first Munro since the Kintail meet

PostPosted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:20 pm
by ChrisW
Good stuff Nathan, I really enjoyed this hill when I did it - I stayed up there long enough for pins and needles to set in too :lol: :lol:

Re: An Socach Braemar- My first Munro since the Kintail meet

PostPosted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:40 pm
by Bod
NIce one Nathan......off to look at your wildlife post now :D

Cheers, see you soon :D :D :D

Re: An Socach Braemar- My first Munro since the Kintail meet

PostPosted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:15 am
by jonny616
Nice one Nathan. Great wee hill that. You photos on the wild life page are great too 8)

Re: An Socach Braemar- My first Munro since the Kintail meet

PostPosted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:30 am
by quoman
Good report Nathan
was up there 3weeks ago and got the same conditions as you had .

Re: An Socach Braemar- My first Munro since the Kintail meet

PostPosted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 11:03 am
by BoyVertiginous
I'm going to take a punt on Bridge - Canon - Bridge - Canon - Bridge - Bridge?

PS I know zilch about photography.

Re: An Socach Braemar- My first Munro since the Kintail meet

PostPosted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 3:01 pm
by Graeme D
nathan79 wrote:i hadn't been near a Munro since the partial South Glen Shiel ridge burdened with a Stretch-induced hangover.


Now now Nathan, that's kind of like saying "a big boy made me do it and then ran away"!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Nice to see you back in training for Kintail Meet - the rematch! 8)

Re: An Socach Braemar- My first Munro since the Kintail meet

PostPosted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:02 pm
by pollyh33
Graeme D wrote:
nathan79 wrote:i hadn't been near a Munro since the partial South Glen Shiel ridge burdened with a Stretch-induced hangover.


Now now Nathan, that's kind of like saying "a big boy made me do it and then ran away"!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Nice to see you back in training for Kintail Meet - the rematch! 8)


Ha ha that American bloke seems to be getting the blame for a lot of things :lol: :lol: :lol:

Smashing report Nathan :thumbup:

Is more straightforward to use the WH route for the ascent and descent?

Re: An Socach Braemar- My first Munro since the Kintail meet

PostPosted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:06 pm
by SusieThePensioner
Great that you're back out on the munros :D Enjoyed your report and some fantastic wildlife photos, and loved the frogs, mate!! :thumbup: :lol:

Re: An Socach Braemar- My first Munro since the Kintail meet

PostPosted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 1:01 am
by rockhopper
Nice one nathan - a long break from the munros and a good way to return. Oddly enough I've just got a wee compact as well given recent experience with my Fuji bridge - have yet to try it out though - cheers :D

Re: An Socach Braemar- My first Munro since the Kintail meet

PostPosted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 1:28 pm
by monty
Looks like a nice gentle preparation for kintail. :D

Re: An Socach Braemar- My first Munro since the Kintail meet

PostPosted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 9:46 pm
by scoob999
Good report
And thanks to your pics i left the crampons and ice axe at home, never needed them yet! :lol: