Best day yet – Driesh & Mayar

[Alastair S]

Mayar & Driesh (Glen Clova).gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Just had my best day yet in the mountains in (albeit in my rather limited experience). But wow was it blowy (as per forecast).

To the beginning: got into the car park at Glen Doll just before 8:00 am. Parking charge is now £2.00 folks – but they do have facilities (which I was very glad of).

Intended route was as per this site, but in reverse order – so it was through the forest and up to Driesh. Weather was fine and cold, -1C in the car park. Not much snow in the forest but it was icy. Above the tree line it was on with the crampons and along the side of the Shank of Drumfollow.

Head of Glen Clova from base of Shank of Drumfollow

Avalanche forecast was predicted to be considerable on SW through to E slopes but this slope was well scoured and very firm. So two thirds of the way along the Shank I decided to cut up to the ridge for the views and was well rewarded.

Shank of Drumfollow (looking North)

As expected the wind on the ridge was considerable but strangely it wasn’t till I moved further around to the East that what it became a full blown gale – easily 50mph. With the temperature around -5C that equates to a wind chill of -17C. Although there was no spindrift here it was on with the recently purchased ski goggles. It was a cross/tail wind to Mayar with fabulous views nearly all around (the tops to the North were covered with a thin blanket)

Looking South from Mayar

Glen Clova from Mayar

Driesh from Mayar

Interesting cloud (with not so interesting cloud obscuring Lochnagar)

With no shelter to be had from the biting wind it was on to Driesh, now into the wind. Passed on couple of ski tourers going the other way and gave them a wave – I thought they were doing a magnificent job just staying upright. Later caught up with them in the car park and they admitted that it had been challenging. So much so that they left the skis behind for the accent of Mayar. Apparently not enough powder (i.e. none) for ski touring.

Looking South from near Driesh (could do with sorting out that horizon)

Yours truly at Driesh cairn (to add to my prove-that-I-was-there photos)

Looking South from Driesh – Blackwater Reservoir just visible.

Looking East – believe that Glas Maol is the one just right of centre

Next it was due North to Corrie Fee. It was amazing that a decent of just 150m could have such a dramatic effect on the wind. There was now some “proper” snow (with attendant spindrift) and once over the lip of the corrie I was able to take the goggles off and have some much needed hot chocolate and a bite to eat.

Fee Burn is in there somewhere

Corrie Fee and Erne Craigs

The decent down to the valley floor was unexpectedly steep. Meet a couple struggling up with walking poles but I felt a lot safer with my ice axe. Once in the forest it was off with the crampons, and soon after I was on my backside – still lots of ice about Also quite a few folk about doing the forest trails. Was back in the car park at a very civilized 2:15.

For me it was a near perfect day. Not too long, nothing too vertiginous given the conditions (the decent down Corrie Fee was very steep but out of the wind), fantastic views over the tops, Corrie Fee and the cliffs to the North (Erne Craigs) are magnificent, but most of all it was the challenge. 50 mph+ winds and a wind chill of -17C are not to be sniffed at. But I had all the kit, I have had training in how to use it and it did its job. I still haven’t got that much experience (these were Munro #21 & 22 for me) but I didn’t take any risks and most of all I loved it

In fact my biggest mistake was in taking a [metal] Sigg water bottle instead of my usual plastic disposable bottle of water – top froze solid after an hour so I was fairly thirsty by the time I got back to the car. As always still lots to learn.

[mountain coward]

LOL to the water bottle Having said that, I can't see how people can drink cold water on the hills in those temperatures - I only ever take a hot flask of coffee! Those are lovely pics - especially nice for me to look at as I saw nothing up there as I did the whole thing in a clag. I think I'd find the descent to Corrie Fee very steep in snow - I found it pretty steep without! Even in the clag though, it's a lovely walk!

[Alastair S]

Thanks

LOL to the water bottle

Yes, another small flask is on the shopping list

[kevsbald]

Great stuff Al. I love these two hills but haven't done them in full Winter claes.
Your report makes me want to repeat them ower lang.

[malky_c]

I'm envious now! These looked good from the Glen Prosen side on Saturday, but they look even better from the Clova side. Much like kevsbald, I have had some good times on these hills over the years but I've never done them in the winter. Good work battling against the wind!

[StokeyNeil]

Great Munros to do and you had a good day up there - -17 and sunshine isn't too bad - i remember walking over there from the old Glen Isla Hostel to the sadly now gone Glen Doll Hostel in terrible wet conditions - all the gear in the world couldn't have kept us dry - by the time we got to the top of the Kilbo path it was dark and the wind was laying us flat - the drop down into Glen Doll is steep enough during the day but at night your imagination runs riot - there was never a more welcome sight than the drying room at the Doll Hostel

[Graeme D]

Strangely enough these are two of the few Munros I have climbed twice (in late spring/summer weather) but also two of the few Muros for which I have no pictures - just have to climb them both a third time.....with a camera.....in winter.

[mountain coward]

I foolishly didn't take my camera either as it was such a claggy day - of course, by the time I reached Mayar and the descent into Corrie Fee, it cleared I've every intention of doing them both again though as I really enjoyed the walk and, on a bad weather day, that's a sure sign it's a nice walk! I will either take Richard next time or go up in snow myself - probably ascending out of Corriee Fee rather than descending into it!

[Graeme D]

Yeah, I think Coire Fee is best done by ascending out of it onto Mayar rather than coming down. Just my personal opinion mind!

[Alastair S]

Yeah, I think Coire Fee is best done by ascending out of it onto Mayar rather than coming down. Just my personal opinion mind!

Definitely agree - so much more scary looking down a steep slope. On this occasion the snow helped as it was very firm not not quite icy, and with crampons there wasn't much chance of slipping. Not sure what it is like in summer, but if it was wet and/or gravelly it wouldn't have been a lot of fun.

[mountain coward]

Well it was fine descending into Corrie Fee in summer - just I'm not keen on going down steep in winter!

[Gable Gable End]

was up here about 3 weeks ago after a decent dump of snow. it was murder as the snow was upper leg deep and not taking weight! ended up heading up shank of drumfollow face and along the to the top! I too wouldn't reccomend going down into fee in winter, have done these hills numerous times and much prefer going up the face of corrie fee.