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Date: 29/12/13
Hills: The Sow of Atholl
Present: Just Me
Weather: A few light showers of rain & snow. Cold wind and sunshine.
Distance: 5.34mls
Ascent: 1456ft approx.
Walking: 2hrs 38min. Loafing: 2hrs 57mins Total 5hrs 36mins With a small lull in the weather forecast for the Sunday it would have been unforgiveable not to venture out somewhere. Chose to head up the A9 to Dalnaspidal and do the Corbetts The Sow of Atholl and Meall na Leitreach. On arrival there was more snow lying at road level than I was expecting. It was deep and frozen so where I was going to park was out of the question. Looked at parking down by the level crossing but the road was covered in ice so that would be ok going down but might be troublesome getting back up I thought. Nothing for it but to park at the top of the hill just off the A9. As I was getting ready another car pulled in and they took their chances going down to the level crossing.
Parking spot.
Sunrise as I crossed through the level crossing.
After the level crossing you go a few meters and turn right through a gate signposted Rannoch . Continue on the track to the 2nd bridge (do not cross) and head up n/w to the summit. Seems to be an atv track heading up but it was mostly covered in snow today.
Locals waiting on breakfast to be delivered. Sow of Atholl behind.
It was a calm morning at this level.
Meall na Leitreach.
It was a tricky walk as the snow had an icy crust which broke on every step which forced you to walk in the narrow wheel tracks, adopting a supermodel walk placing one foot in front of the other. Backside must have had a fair old wiggle going on. I was glad to get on the open hillside but the walking was still hard going in places. Stuck to the bare heather as much as possible and thankfully I picked up some recent footprints higher up, which made things a little bit easier most of the time. Still up over the knees a few times mind you .
Looking back to Meall na Leitreach.
After a light shower of rain, things were looking up.
Looking over to Meallan Buidhe.
Back to Dalnaspidal and Meall na Leitreach.
Dalnaspidal.
Spot the Mountain Hare.
The wind was picking up the higher I got and whipping up some spindrift. Time to don my newest bit of kit, a pair of ski goggles. Been managing with just sunglasses for years but as we seem to be having many more days with high winds this was the way to go.
Spindrift racing across the slope.
Next few steps I was upto my thighs.
Spotted walkers heading up Sgairneach Mhor.
A’ Mharconaich comes into view.
Sgairneach Mhor trying to break free of clag.
The summit of The Sow of Atholl with A’ Bhuidheanach Bheag behind.
Had a couple of light snow showers before I reached the summit which had taken a bit longer than I expected. The changing light and conditions on the surrounding hills lured me into full on loafing mode almost at once, and any thoughts of doing Meall na Leitreach went right out the window. I layered up and got on with enjoying taking photos for the next 1 1/2hrs.
A’ Bhuidheanach Bheag.
The Northbound A9.
A’ Mharconaich, Geal-charn and The Boar of Badenoch.
A’ Mharconaich.
Ski Tourers on A’ Mharconaich.
Southbound A9.
Ski Tourers on Sgairneach Mhor.
Geal-charn.
Meall na Leitreach.
Meallan Buidhe.
A’ Bhuidheanach Bheag, Glas Mheall Beag(in clag) & Meall na Leitreach.
Sgairneach Mhor, Beinn Udlamain & A’ Mharconaich.
Almost forgot the summit pose.
Sgairneach Mhor & Beinn Udlamain.
Meall na Leitreach.
Just enjoying the view.
I imagine the view in summer maybe be a little drab.
Eventually I dragged myself away. The clag was changing on the surrounding hills by the minute and I guess it was just luck if you would have got a view from the summits.
Clag rolling across Meall na Leitreach, Meallan Buidhe & Sgairneach Mhor.
A pair of walkers coming up. They had just done Meall na Leitreach and saw nothing.
It was soon clagged in again.
Zoom across to A’ Bhuidheanach Bheag.
Looking back up as clag rolls across the summit.
Looking along Loch Garry.
Final look at The Sow of Atholl.
A dramatic shaft of sunlight to end the days outing.
Short video from the day
A highly enjoyable short day out after all this persistent bad weather. I really think these hills deserve to be done in winter time as they look rather good in their winter cloaks. I will be back for Meall na Leitreach soon I hope.
