These gentle hills? Mullach Clach a'Bhlair and Sgor Gaoith

[Huff_n_Puff]

I recently came across a lovely description of these two Glen Feshie Munros, “While Sgor Gaoith only pretends to be a nondescript lump, Mullach Clach a'Bhlair is the real thing...” (Dan Bailey, 'Great Mountain Days in Scotland'). True, but this doesn't stop a trip to visit both being a grand day out.

The day before we did this walk I told a friend where we were planning to go and he confessed that he'd nearly lost his life trying to get to the top of Sgor Gaoith in a whiteout many years ago – he was only saved when he noticed he was about to step off the cliff edge for a short cut to Loch Einich .
Our trip was on a clear, cool day when we could see for miles, it made a relaxing walk in what appeared to be benign territory – but walker beware and have respect for these nondescript lumps!!

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Our route started and finished at Auchlean – as we didn't follow the WH routes for either of these hills I've included our route map. Park in the car park before you get to Auchlean farm (its well signed), then follow the road towards the farm – just before the farm comes into view is a marker stone for the path up to Carn Ban Mor.

Marker stone

Its a gradual but long pull up to the flank of Carn Ban Mor and onto the Moin Mhor , with stunning views over to the big Cairngorms and across to the west.

Morning ascent

Sgor Gaoith to Braeriach - gap for Loch Einich

Sculpted hills

Whatever you may think of the bulldozed paths on the Moin Mhor they make for easy walking round this vast bog.

We tackled Mullach Clach a'Bhlair first, enjoyed lunch and the views,

Looking for the first hill of the day

Love these hill from the west

Ben Alder and the Laggan Hills

Craig Meagaidh and the Monadh Laith

then wandered back to Carn Ban Mor and on to Sgor Gaoith for afternoon tea and a hare chase (hare 1, dog 0).

Second hill of the day

Quick route to Loch Einich - not today thanks

Last cairn of the day

Loch Einich and Braeriach

Its cold up here

Its easy to linger at the top of Sgor Gaoith to stimulate the adrenaline, enjoy the views – and the glider dispays, but the wind was distinctly chilly so we wandered off to join the path down and back to Auchlean.

Taking a leisurely look

Glad to have seen these peaks on a gentle day!

[ronofcam]

Hi Huff, strange question, but did you notice a patch of snow at the very top of the path up to Carn Ban Mor? It would have been on your right just as you came to the top of the path, as it flattens onto the Moine Mhor?

[hills]

Ah that brought back good memories, I loved this walk, and especially the view from Sgor Gaoith, a classic, thanks for that.

[Huff_n_Puff]

Hi Huff, strange question, but did you notice a patch of snow at the very top of the path up to Carn Ban Mor? It would have been on your right just as you came to the top of the path, as it flattens onto the Moine Mhor?

Can't say that I did - I've checked all my photos and the only ones with snow are to the north and on the Laggan Hills - although I'm pretty certain there was some on the higher Cairngorms - but my photos don't support my memory

Just read your report - very interesting, who organizes the survey, how many years do you have data from and is any of it published?

[LeithySuburbs]

Been too long since I was up Glen Feshie and the Moine Mhor - thanks for bring back good memories .

[Bod]

Great photos there. A return to Glenfeshie is due for me, got some unfinished business there

[ronofcam]

Can't say that I did - I've checked all my photos and the only ones with snow are to the north and on the Laggan Hills - although I'm pretty certain there was some on the higher Cairngorms - but my photos don't support my memory

Ah well, fair enough. Thanks for the information. This location, shown here in Alan O'Dowd's picture (large snowpatch) is called Ciste Mhearad (Margaret's Coffin) and has been known to hold snow until well into July.

Just read your report - very interesting, who organizes the survey, how many years do you have data from and is any of it published?

I'm not sure what report you read... Yes, I organise a survey each year in August which seeks to record every snow patch still extant in the Highlands. More generally, snow patches have been monitored by my colleague Adam Watson for around 70 years. We publish a paper every year, which appears in "Weather".

[dogplodder]

We were up there on 21st - climbing Monadh Mor and Beinn Bhrotain - and we saw that glider too!

Met a few folk but think I'd have recognised the two spaniels! Love the pic of you at the cairn with them. Great looking dogs!

[Huff_n_Puff]

We were up there on 21st - climbing Monadh Mor and Beinn Bhrotain - and we saw that glider too!

Sorry we didn't see you - did have a photo of Beinn Bhrotain - but even magnified couldn't spot you

Met a few folk but think I'd have recognised the two spaniels! Love the pic of you at the cairn with them. Great looking dogs!

Yeah - shame about the human

[dogplodder]

Met a few folk but think I'd have recognised the two spaniels! Love the pic of you at the cairn with them. Great looking dogs!

Yeah - shame about the human [/quote]

Woops I walked into that one. Great looking human too!

[David-Main]

Was up there a month ago sgor goiath great hill, ma cocker loved it as well but no hares. fantastic pics.

[monty]

Lovely photos Huff n puff. It a lovely walk and not too taxing. Huge open space for the dogs. superb

[Huff_n_Puff]

Woops I walked into that one. Great looking human too!

Awww shucks..