free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
We arrived @ layby 94 on the A9 @ 10.05am,& it was already a hive of activity,with several groups of walkers getting prepared to tackle Meall Chuaich on this cold but bright morning.
10.15am ready for the off & the long walk in alongside the aqueduct leading up to Loch Cuaich dam.
At the loch there is a well maintained bothy which unfortunately was locked,pity as it would have been an ideal spot to have a bite to eat on the way back down, before the long trek back to the car.
Anyway the path runs by the bothy & crosses the Allt Coire Chuaich which runs down from the big rounded hills of Gaick.
We made our way up through the snow covered heather on the hills southwest ridge, reaching the flatter ground by Stac Meall Chuaich. It was @ around this point that the snow was about a foot deep, making the final push to the summit that wee bit harder.
We reached the top [12.20pm] which opens up into a large plateau, upon which there is a large cairn [ a welcome sight], it was about -10 @ the top, therefore a few pix & a very quick snack before hastily making our descent to slightly warmer parts of Chuaich & eventually back to the warmth of the car @ 2.10pm.
All in all a great day out in the snow which just makes everything look much more picturesque
