A good drying day - Beinn Chaorach

[Frigate]

At last some reasonable weather coincided with a weekend.

So with the unkowns as in what quantity of fresh snow has fallen and lack of hill time a short walk was planed

Suprising that after a clear, full moon night there was not a frost and the temp was above freezing.

Myself, Ian and Jake the dug, Steve and Neil arrived at the Auhtertyre car park at 7.30 and walking by 7.45. First obstacle was negotiating the slurry pit of a road next to a cow feeding station, good job my gaiters were tight. Then into a field of brown sheep, we found one white one and that was because its head was stuck in the bars of feeding station.
That was one very nervous ewe as the two Crieff country boys approached on either side.

Stuck ewe

Cam Creag & Stob Glas

Beinn Odhar

We followed the track as far as the old shielings then cut off up the hill early as a flock of sheep were gathered on the track. As we approached them they would run for 20m then stop and stare at us then run on again, so we did the manly thing and took to the snowy hillside early. Wasn't so manly after 15 minuets of wheezing lungs, creaking limbs and belaboured muscles when we came level with the track again. Note to self - must try that Gym thing I've heard people talking about.

Strath Fillan and Fiarach

Neil, Steve and Ian

Add me and Jake

The snow level was down at 250m, quite dry but soft, so a mixture of sinking through it into the tussock grass or into deeper snow pockets. It did not really firm up till about the 700m level, until then it was hop-along breaking through the windblown crust. Quite deep really, as following the fence line only the top 100 - 150 mm of the posts were visible.

A good stiff breeze was blowing into us on the way up which gradually increased with height. We stopped to layer up before clearing the ridge, good job as it was blowing a hooley on top. Took 2.5 hours to top out, stopped long enough for the photos and to look longingly at the cloud shrouded tops around us - come on clear, give us a view.

Ian & Jake at the very drafty top

Hang on to the rug kev

Much easier going down with the wind at our backs, it became a bit of a dawdle and then the sun came out.

Is that the sun?

Starting to clear

Beinn Odhar

We going back up then?

Managed a few photos of the surrounding hills and to chat to a group of four on their way up.

Beinn Challum being coy

There she is

Ben Oss and Glen Cononish

South to An Caisteal & Cruach Ardrain

Beinn Dubhchraig

Back to the car at 12.15, four and a half hours - no records broken but enough to remember what those dangly things off the hips are for.

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[rockhopper]

Turned out nice later on - these corbetts round here are steep, must've been even tougher in the snow - good result - cheers

Note to self - must try that Gym thing I've heard people talking about.

[pigeon]

Good effort lads

[Ian Bayne]

A piece of cake to the youngish crew good report and a nice day out except for the wind (Steve stay low)

[donalmc]

Was part of group of four you met we went up cam chreag returned to belach then down glen to rejoin path snow was waist deep in places hard going.

[Frigate]

Thanks RH, had a good run on the hills at the end of last year but a visit to Amsterdam, Christmas over indulgence and 7 day working have taken there toll on the fitness levels.

[Frigate]

Was part of group of four you met we went up cam chreag returned to belach then down glen to rejoin path snow was waist deep in places hard going.

Glad you had good day, did consider Cam Chreag but one of our team had had enough so a loverly half day on the piste.