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Sgor Mor – 2/12/12
Video report :
The previous week I had been out in the Cairngorms in search of the “BIG Grey Maaaaan!!” (didn’t find him but had a great walk up Ben Macdui!!).
So usually I am not allowed two weekends out on the trot and this weekend was to be a couple of days spent at home doing a few chores and spending quality family time
However I couldn’t help myself could I!! – I had to have a squint at MWIS on he Saturday!!!!!! – 90% chance of cloud free tops- superb visibility etc etc etc
The seed was planted – perhaps I could get up early and nip up Ben Vrackie before the family awakes – that was the plan. I gingerly mentioned it as a throw away comment and was answered by an – “ok then no problem – enjoy it! This was an open invitation to actually spend longer away than a couple of hours However there was a promise made to be back for lunchtime!!!!
Sgor Mor was chosen. I had twice previously tried to bag this summit last year. First time around, the signs at Perth stated the A93 was shut due to snow so I turned around and went up Ben Vrackie (a fine day it was too!).
A few weeks later and I tried again but upon reaching the Spittal at an early hour I felt it unwise to continue on as the road conditions were treacherous. This time I went up Glas Tulaichean in the snow.
So with a promise to be back for lunchtime I headed off early (it was 04.55am!!!). It was extremely icy and being up this early I sometimes think the gritters have not been out (not too sure if this is the case though). It always worries me more than the walk or climb- the drive to the start of the walk can be a little nerve racking!!!!!
- Early ooooofff
Anyhoos - eventually made it to the Linn of Dee for around 07.00am. It was looking good – lots of snow and starry skies met me as I headed west into the Cairngorms. It was not long before I headed off the path looking to head toward Carn an ‘lc Duibhe. The hike up this part of the hillside was bloomin awefull. Deep heather with a little snow caused a few expletives to leave my lips!! I eventually decided to head into the eastern fringe of the forest which made things a lot more bearable!! However the forest on lasts so long and it was not too long before I was back in the bloomin heather!!! I was trying to get as high up the hill as I could for the sunrise, so was marching as quickly as I could through the heather!! I ended up skirting past the summit of Carn an ‘lc Duibhe and mad a bee line for Sgor Dubh. However I did not make this summit in time for sunrise. I stopped probably about the 660m mark and set up the videos to get some footage. The pre sunrise dawn was absolutely mind blowing. The white hills turned a pink for about 5-10minutes and with the blue sky and moon – made for a memorable scene. The early bird caught the worm!!!!!!
- A gloriously pink Beinn a' Ghlo
- Pink Cairngorms pre dawn
After playing around with the cameras, I headed on, and made the summit of Sgor Dubh about 08.30ish. The views from here to the Cairngorm massif were great, well worth the effort of an early start.
- Sgor Dubh summit
However I was still wary about my promise to be back for lunchtime so I soon headed off for the summit and Sgor Mor. The views continued – north were the mighty Cairngorms, south was Lochnagar and Beinn a’ Ghlo. The air was crisp and the visibility about as good as it gets. The hills were white, the skies had gone from red, to pink, to yellow to a deep blue. The sun was shining and the moon was still smiling down! Does walking get any better ????
- white Cairngorms massiffffffffff
Made the summit about 09.30am and headed over to a rocky outcrop which overlooked a panoramic vista- not a bad place to stop for breaky. For the first time the wind had picked up a little however and I soon started to feel he chill, especially with the gloves off. A few pictures at the summit and I got moving quickly again. Left the summit just before 10.00am. Time to motor back to car to get home for lunch.
I had thought about a circular route and had it not been for the “promise” I would have stayed out all day!! However I had a promise to keep so headed back the way I came (well almost – came across a little howff / shelter thing which I missed on route up – anyone else seen that?).
Got back through the “horrible heather” and was back at car for 11.30 and home for 13.00 and in time for lunch.
Easily the best “morning” outing I have had in recent years and I had a smashing lunch at home ……
- black and white
- ghlowing
- pre dawn
- slim panorama
- me and my shiny glasses
