An Socach Braemar- My first Munro since the Kintail meet!
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:12 pm
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.