Walkhighlands

A scorcher today so something with relatively little effort was required and these two seemed to fit the bill. They get some bad press at times these hills, but this was perfect for a hot, windless day like today with good clear views in every direction, the Cairngorms still with a smattering of snow.

Parked up off the A93 at the Devil’s Elbow and, after a liberal application of sunscreen, set off at Allt Coire a’ Bhathaich, for a quick hop and a skip up on to Leacann Dubh. Followed the ridge along here to Meall Odhar, meeting the last leg of the ski-lift, stopping for a quick breather at the cairn to soak up the views before the short, steep section which ultimately lays right back and into a gentle stroll from here to the summit of Glas Maol and it’s shelter cairn and trig.


The views are grand from here too, with Mount Blair to the SE, with the Lomonds peeking out from the haze far behind;


Views East across the Glens Isla, Prosen and Clova / Doll are impressive, evoking childhood memories of holidays in Glen Prosen, and uninterrupted views out Mount Keen, beyond Glen Muick;


The Lochnagar 5;


Cairngorms;


We’ve been in t-shirts from the off and there's no need to alter this at summit level, the cool breeze taking the edge off. We stride out towards the smaller but more interesting looking Creag Leacach passing over a couple of large, sheltered snow patches, heading for the wall that follows the ridge up and over our next target.


Shortly after reaching the dyke, we encounter two Ptarmigan, one of whom obliged with a fine pose;


This sighting prompts an earworm of The Clash song "Tommy Gun" which remains with me for days (writing this has just set it off again...not that I mind, it's a great tune)

It’s a boulder field from here on in but simple enough to negotiate if treated like a river crossing and hopping between the most prominent boulders, or crunching over the small stuff. It’s an enjoyable and interesting ridge, clearing the first top and soon after the summit is reached with the minimum of fuss. Obligatory summit pic, followed by a leisurely lunch break under the cairn looking West...what a vantage point.


We had to drag ourselves away and it was now very warm indeed so, slabbering on some more sunscreen and removing my trouser legs for a bit of added air-con, we were off towards the next top. The descent was down towards Meall Gorm and into the valley below, where there was lots of Butterwort growing. We saw another Tommy Gun on the descent;


And, once back at the van, a pair of Ring Ouzel.

Looking back over Leacann Dubh to Creag Leacach


A fine day and here, give your ears a treat... The Clash with Ptarmigan

some great photos there.
I did those including 4 others on my route last 'summer'. I didn't see much as the whole round was done in very thick misty conditions. You had incredible weather by the looks of it!

''the clash'' and the hills, two of the best things in life. RIP joe strummer.
cracking weather up there too by the looks of it.

jonnoh wrote:some great photos there.
I did those including 4 others on my route last 'summer'. I didn't see much as the whole round was done in very thick misty conditions. You had incredible weather by the looks of it!

Thanks, Jonnoh. It was a cracking day, starting to think it might have been this year's "Summer". I'd have liked to have done more on that trip but just the two was "sensible" in those conditions, burnt to a crisp otherwise.

tony.cee wrote:''the clash'' and the hills, two of the best things in life. RIP joe strummer.
cracking weather up there too by the looks of it.

You're not wrong, Tony.

Just did this in reverse in the snow. Except we went straight up the Northern spur of Meall Gorm. It was heavy going on the ascent, but the main ridge was possibly easier given that all the rocks were covered by the snow.

Navigation is pretty easy as you are always following the highest ground, and there is the fence along the main ridge. It was important to stay high on the flank of Glas Maol as the steep ground was hard ice with almost a cornice forming below (as we subsequently saw from the return along Leacann Dubh).