Five On a Hike Together in The Cairngorms

[Johnny Corbett]

Ok, so us five are not quite as famous as The Famous Five but it had been a few months since the five of us had got out together and today we would follow in Montys footsteps. Well not quite but we would do 2 out of his 4. The two we would climb would be Sgor Gaoith and Mullach Clach a' Bhlair setting off from the parking area near Auchlean, where we saw a pair of specs left at the information board, were they yours Monty? We set off along the road where a sign on a boulder points to Carn Ban Mor. We followed this path to the south of Carn Ban Mor where we left it to head over to the summit of Carn Ban Mor. As we had poor visibility i took a compass baring before heading for Sgor Gaoith and we did slighty come off the baring before getting back on track and onto the summit of Sgor Gaoith. This was myself and Alans second visit to Sgor Gaoith and on both occassions we have seen nothing. We didn't hang about here as it was pretty windy so we returned to the large cairn on Carn Ban Mor to have lunch. Here we met a fellow walker on his way to Sgor Gaoith who kindly took a group photo. After lunch we decided to head to Mullach Clach a' Bhlair with the final decision to continue being Kims as she'd got a couple blisters (laces not tight enough on her boots) but after putting on the compede she was willing to continue though she was in a bit of pain, i'm sure most of us have been there. We decided to stick to the path and track rather than cross the plateaux as visibility was still not that good although it was improving. It was on the walk over we met 3 new friends, them being white reindeer. They followed us for a good 30mins or more allowing us to take photos of them, think they were wanting fed. By the time we were heading over and for the remainder of the walk the clag cleared and we were met with some nice views. We left Mullach Clach a' Bhlair summit via the track where we left it to head over Meall nan Sleac and back to the start near Auchlean. I've read on a few occassions the the farmer at Auchlean was not the most pleasantest person but we found him to be very pleasant as he asked us if we enjoyed our walk and where we had been. We returned to the start 7hrs30mins after setting off with all of us enjoying our day and looking forward to "the famous five " getting out on another adventure soon.

Found these specs, are they yours Monty?

The girls coming up the path

Glen Feshie

On the path up

More of the path

On our way to Sgor Gaoith

Loch Eanaich

Sgor Gaoith summit

Five stop for lunch oc Carn Ban Mor

Three friendly Reindeer

Mullach Clach a' Bhlair summit

Sgor Gaoith in the distance

Four Munros

On the way down

Meall nan Sleac

View from Meall nan Sleac

Mullach Clach a' Bhlair

Glen Feshie

On our way down

[rockhopper]

Another nice one Johnny - didn't see anything on Sgor Gaoith either so you have my sympathies. You don't seem to stop at all - always out ! - I see you've already completed more trips in 2012 than I managed the whole of last year - dunno how you manage it - cheers

[ChrisW]

Great stuff as always JC, lovely views (most of the time) that shot of the reindeer is a real beauty - I love it. You get out more often than I do....and I thought I had it good keep em coming Johnny on the days I'm not out there I need the good stuff to read

[dogplodder]

Love that shot of the reindeer. Wonder if that's part of the herd we saw heading for Macdui. If it is they've hoofed it a fair bit!

I'm amazed at the lack of snow for March. Here's what we found up there in the middle of May two years ago.

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=19496

[quoman]

Nice one johnny and the gang

looks cold up there plus you had some views better than none. liked the pic of the reindeers would make a lovely stew just thought i would say it before Caberfeidh

[kevsbald]

I just love the fact that the reindeer wander up there - memories of Lego and Blondie...

[jonny616]

Great report & pics there Johnny. Can't believe how much better your weather was than ours that day

[Johnny Corbett]

Thanks for the replys it was a great day with the added bonus of the Reindeer. We couldn't believe it when they followed us for a good half hour. The farmer told us they get fed up there somewhere. Rockhopper, i'm allways getting from the other four because i'm out so much but what can you do but shrug your shoulders and smile

[mountain thyme]

you would have won at darts!! one hundred and eighttyy..now

[gaffr]

Thanks for the information regarding the 'walkabout reindeer' the folks have been looking for these guys. I am told that they are Castro, Gin and Jauri? (sp!). It's a big wide area on the Moine Mhor