Geal Charn of the Monadh Liath - A gentle end to 2012

[PeteR]

I know that 2013 walking has commenced, but thought I’d sneak in a quick report of my final walk of 2012. All in all a good year, with 54 new ticks on the Munro register, 4 repeats and a whopping 3 more Corbetts off the list too

It’s been a year where I’ve paid a visit to a number of less interesting hills by some peoples standards, but all in all I don’t think I’d say I’d had a bad walk all year. Probably took one of my best photos ever too, on one of these so called lesser hills It was perhaps fitting, therefore, that I ended the year on another of those less interesting hills – the Monadh Liath Geal Charn

This should have been a Christmas Eve walk, but a touch of the dreaded Noro Virus at the weekend put paid to that plan. MrsR kindly agreed though that as I had been on best behaviour with the family on Christmas Day I could reward myself with a wee Boxing Day walk Think my luck was in, as the Boxing Day weather was much, much better than on the Monday

I was intending to start the walk from the Spey Dam and incorporate the main “feature” of the hill – An Dirc Mor. There were lots of no-parking notices though so instead I continued along to Garva bridge and did the hill from the more traditional route. Had quite a herd of cattle to avoid on the roadside just before the parking area Left me a bit concerned for my shiny, nearly new motor for the rest of the day. Luckily they left the silver bullet alone

As for the walk – ok, it’s an easy route and perhaps not the most aesthetically pleasing hill to some. But I for one enjoyed it The usually boggy ground was not too bad at the lower end and was pretty solid at the midpoint. Nearer the top and it was a white, winter wonderland Not a taxing walk, just a great day out on a sunny, crisp winters day

At the point where the Feith Talagain was met by the Allt Coire nan Dearcag I did my usual.......and parted company with the path Seemed like a good idea at the time, but with the lethargic after effects of the Noro virus I probably made harder work of the easy walk than I needed to

Eventually I was on the white stuff and enjoying myself. Met the only other person on the hill that day shortly after. I say met..........they were descending down the path and I was away to the right of it ploughing through the snow and heather

Still, I now knew where the path was, so headed for it. So much easier to get onto the summit plateau from that point

It’s a big plateau too. Easy to get misplaced in foul weather I would imagine. Thankfully I had sunshine and blue sky and it was an easy stroll on to the summit cairn Simply great views opening up on the way up onto the plateaus - to the Ardverickie/Alder hills, Meagaidh, Drumochter, Loch Lochy as well as out toward the distant Mullardoch hills (at least I think it was them). Higher up of course the rest of the bleak Monadh Liath plateau came into view – looking pretty special with its coating of snow. And the great views were topped off by the spectacular plateau of the Monadh Ruadh on the other side of the A9

Oh yes, Geal Charn might not be a mighty hill, with razor sharp ridges, pinnacles or deep sided cliffs. But for views alone I was pleasantly surprised

From the summit of Geal Charn I made my way over via the Unneag Coire an Lochain to the minor top of Beinn Sgiath, where I was able to continue enjoying the views – especially to the Cairngorms Then it was the easy walk down the broad ridge in the general direction of the Allt Coire nan Dearcag, picking up the path back to Garva bridge and the motor. Thankfully the coos had shifted by the time I drove back

So that was the end of 2012 for me Some great walks, great memories, experiences gained and the odd soaking or three Here’s a selection of photies of my Geal Charn experience along with a little video-ette just......something of a lame excuse to get a few more photies out there and inflict some more of my eclectic taste in music on you all

Sun rise over Geal Charn

View down the Easan Buidhe

Sneaky peak of Geal Charn

Ardverickie/Alder hills on the route up

Beinn Bheoil perhaps?

Another Geal Charn sneaky peak

Loch Lochy Munros

Eastern Drummochter hills

View in the general Meagaidh direction

Mullardoch(ish) area?

Geal Charn summit plateau, looking to the cairn

Now taking in the Monadh Ruadh

And now some wilderness

Looking back the way I had come

Zooming in on the cairn

At the Geal Charn cairn

Monadh Liath

Monadh Ruadh

Beinn Sgiath

Unneag Coire an Lochain

Monadh Ruadh again

Beinn Sgiath plateau

Cloud coming in over Ardverickie/Alder hills

Toward the general Meagaidh direction on the route down

Garva bridge and no coos :-)

[gammy leg walker]

Nowt boring about the pictures,fine way to end last year.

[pigeon]

Yep,braw pics pete,looks like you picked one of the few good days of the hols Hope that virus has gone

[ChrisW]

Great year end wander Pete, I would have worried about those cattle too. Me and a friend went walking in Nottinghamshire, we met up and parked in a small off road parking area close to the river trent, when we came back cows had used our vehicles as scratching posts....they were both written off due to the number of dented panels

Anyway, you've had a cracking year mate that will take some beating in 2013, but I look forward to reading about you trying to do just that

[dogplodder]

54 new Munros in 2012 is fabulous! At this rate you'll be done in no time...

I'm wondering if you headed out today and how you found it? Rain in Inverness means snow up there!

[PeteR]

Nowt boring about the pictures,fine way to end last year.

Cheers GLW.

[PeteR]

Yep,braw pics pete,looks like you picked one of the few good days of the hols Hope that virus has gone

Thanks pigeon. Virus is all gone, but still a bit lethargic in the legs, as I discovered in my last walk

[PeteR]

Great year end wander Pete, I would have worried about those cattle too. Me and a friend went walking in Nottinghamshire, we met up and parked in a small off road parking area close to the river trent, when we came back cows had used our vehicles as scratching posts....they were both written off due to the number of dented panels

Anyway, you've had a cracking year mate that will take some beating in 2013, but I look forward to reading about you trying to do just that

Cheers Chris. Not sure I'd want to repeat your experience with the cows. Did park up once near a herd of highland cattle, but luckily they kept their horns to themselves

I suspect petrol prices will have an impact on 2013 walking as many of the remaining Munros are miles away. Negotiations with MrsR are ongoing for a few long weekends so that I can tick a few off though If anything my Corbett count should increase a bit faster

[PeteR]

54 new Munros in 2012 is fabulous! At this rate you'll be done in no time...

I'm wondering if you headed out today and how you found it? Rain in Inverness means snow up there!

Thanks dogplodder. I think progress in 2013 may be a bit slower. I've had a couple of great years though, so can't (won't) complain. In the early days I never really thought compleation was on the cards, but its funny how the idea has grown more attractive with my experiences and as the number of blue dots increased

[Silverhill]

A fine year for you! Looking forward to reading about your adventures in 2013.

[The Rodmiester]

Thanks for posting, Pete R, this brings back memories when my daughter Compleated a few years ago. Great photographs and wonderful video, looks like really nice weather for you, no wind, underfoot conditions not too tiring, crisp dry snow and blue sky, what more could you want to end 2012. Bring on 2013