Sunny Dreish and Mayar

[fionamac8]

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What a summer we are having! As the sunshine has carried on for another week, we've been keen to take advantage of it for as long as possible and extend our Munro total. So Dreish and Mayar were next on my to do list. Having had a bit of a rocky start to the day - involving me locking myself out of my house without anything I needed, best not to ask... - we finally reached Glen Clova around half 2 and quickly set off. Scott and I both went on Geography field trips to Corrie Fee at school so we were back on fairly familiar ground. The path is very straightforward with forestry commission markers leading the way. We were lucky (or unlucky?) enough to be enjoying 27c and clear blue skies, such a gorgeous day for a good hill or two, and practically unheard of in northeast Scotland - sssshhhh don't jinx it

A quick jaunt through the forest takes you out into Corrie Fee itself, still a cracking view even for the second viewing. So far, so sedate. Following the windy path beside the water, it comes to an abrupt end and continues on upwards pretty steeply. But the views of the corrie and Glen Doll forest from the top are pretty spectacular so worth the climb. By now we were fairly working up a sweat and rested by the waterfall at the top with an apple and some sheep looking (baaaaing) on. Only met four people on their way down the corrie at this point which was surprising as the carpark was heaving, expected hundreds! So here the proper path ends. But a faint wee path picks up just a little higher so after a quick map consult we carried on upwards. A wee while later, delighted to be at the top, we realised we had climbed Mayar without realising - Munro number 8, ya beauty!

Corrie Fee panorama

Waterfall at the top of the corrie

Almost there...

Mayar

Despite the good weather it was a bit chilly on top Mayar so I was glad to have a chance to try out my new lightweight soft shell. Scott also had a reason to try out his new puffy, Mountain Hardwear Nitrous jacket, which he was pretty delighted with. After a break it was a nice flat walk across to Dreish following the fence posts and faint path.

Mount Keen in the distance

Looking across to Dreish

Scott

From the bealach, Dreish looks intimidatingly steep but it came as a pleasant surprise to reach the top quicker than we'd anticipated and with fewer stops to let me catch my breath The cairn and trig point on top are nice and sheltered which was appreciated as although the sun was still high and it was fairly warm, a cool wind was getting up. Scott's flask of tea and chocolate was well appreciated! We were really lucky as although the clouds were beginning to gather, Mount Keen and Lochnagar were visible in one direction and all the way to the coast in the other.

Back across to Mayar

Cairn with a view!

Back down the way we came, we crossed down the Corrie Kilbo path. Fairly steep in places but nice and quick option rather than going back through Corrie Fee. Gladly we only had sheep for company as by this time the sun was starting to disappear behind the hills as we lost height quite quickly. The path continues through the forest and back to the carpark. A cracking day and two more Munros crossed off the list.

Down Corrie Kilbo

Back at the carpark

[rockhopper]

Nice set of views there - makes all the difference in good weather. Approached these two from Auchavan in the rain and clag and saw nothing Good to see what I missed - cheers

[The Rodmiester]

Some dramatic skies on my local hills, nice photographs, looks a cracker of a day