Culardoch at the second attempt

[weaselmaster]

Four weeks ago we headed up to Braemar to attempt these 3 hills and were soundly thrashed by heavy snow, achieving a measly Graham only. It took us six and a half hours to get as far as Bealach Dearg and back again without even venturing up either Culardoch or Carn Liath. I don't like being beaten off hills, so at the first opperchancity we decided upon a return visit. Forecast for the weekend wasn't brilliant, with snow and strong winds, but couldn't be worse than a month ago now, could it

Drove up to Braemar on Friday night and checked into the campsite. No other tents there, but plenty of mole activity on the pitches. We settled down for a rainy windy night. Saturday mornign was overcast, but dry and we drove the few miles to Keiloch in good spirits. No need for snowshoes on the approach today . That made going a lot easier. Passing by the grounds of Invercauld House we noticed a large abstract torso sculpture - amazed not to have noticed it last time, especially as it's black amidst the snow. Up through the woods and onto the open hillside. Hardly any snow today, the hills wind scoured, the path largely clear. Not much in the way of views - a glimpse behind gave sight of the Lochnagar hills under low skies. Up to the bealach in less than half the time it took us previously, no tantrums today. Culardoch rose as a heathery dome to our right - occasional small snow patch, risk of avalanche today = zero! An easy saunter up the gentle slope brought us to the cairn without breaking sweat. The weather seemed to be turning worse however, with cloud lowering and sleet in the air. I had harboured vague thoughts of tagging on Brown Cow Hill to the day, but wisely decided against this. Headed back down to Bealach Dearg and made a start on Carn Liath. Here at least there were some snowy residues, firm enough to assist with gaining height. We sat at the top of a largish patch of snow to eat lunch, spotting a few people going past on the track. Onwards up Carn Liath, visibility poor. Reached the cairn then, recognising the change in Corbett top status, headed over to Creag an Dail Beag. A matter of less than a kilometre, with not much drop to reach a tiny cairn of stones. Allison added one. Retraced our steps to Carn Liath then followed the wall for a way, dropping down into the valley via a few bumslides (which played havoc with the seat of my lightweight waterproof breeks) and back along the track. Passed a few dead Caledonian pines which stood stark against the leaden sky, their trunks intricately twisted by the wind. Surprised to be back at the car before 3 o'clock. Soon after we got to the tent the rain came on heavy - was nice to get a hot shower and cook a tasty curry listening to the rain drumming against the tent. Was a wild night, wind buffeting and blasting the tent and a lot of ground water in evidence when we emerged in the morning.

Braemar campsite and Molehill zone
P1060021 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Last time we were at Keiloch this was all {{white}}
P1060022 by 23weasels, on Flickr

P1060023 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Culardoch
P1060026 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Lochnagar hills behind
P1060028 by 23weasels, on Flickr

P1060029 by 23weasels, on Flickr

P1060031 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Summit Culardoch
P1060033 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Carn Liath
P1060035 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Carn Liath summit
P1060036 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Creag nan Dail Beag Summit
P1060039 by 23weasels, on Flickr

P1060040 by 23weasels, on Flickr

P1060041 by 23weasels, on Flickr

P1060043 by 23weasels, on Flickr

P1060045 by 23weasels, on Flickr

P1060048 by 23weasels, on Flickr

We decided to keep to the original plan of Creag nan Gabhar for today - I had wondered if we might squeeze a quickie like Morven in, but the winds were high and the weather changeable. Drove to the parking spot at Auchallater and set out in some sunshine. It's a pretty walk alongside the Callater Burn. We arrived at the track taking us up to the right to Sron Dubh - another gentle ascent. The wind became stronger as we ascended and lost the shelter of the hillside. By the time we reached the broad back of the mountain it was a powerful crosswind with significant windchill. The track goes all the way to the summit, so navigation wasn't difficult. After Sron nan Gabhar the snow and sleet started. The final dome of Creag nan Gabhar was coated in slippy ice and with the high winds it seemed a sensible time to don crampons. Up to the top - several cairns competing for the highest point. Back down to the SE, snow pelting and winds howling, following a line of grouse butts to a landrover track on the west side of the burn. This is a bit shorter than going right down to the bothy, but does mean having to ford the river. One for Allison It wasn't too deep - only up to knees and quite fast flowing with all the overnight rain. Wearing a new pair of Sealskinz, I had the odd experience of having boots full of water but dry feet, with the water sloshing around outside my socks. Weird. Back to the car with sunshine and blue skies - would never have thought it was blizzard like conditions half an hour before. So the Braemar Three have been done at last

Glen Callater
P1060050 by 23weasels, on Flickr

P1060051 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Creag nan Gabhar
P1060052 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Morrone
P1060056 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Track up the Back
P1060057 by 23weasels, on Flickr

View from Sron nan Gabhar
P1060058 by 23weasels, on Flickr

P1060059 by 23weasels, on Flickr

P1060060 by 23weasels, on Flickr

P1060061 by 23weasels, on Flickr

summit
P1060063 by 23weasels, on Flickr

P1060065 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Loch Callater
P1060067 by 23weasels, on Flickr

track
P1060068 by 23weasels, on Flickr

Sploosh
P1060071 by 23weasels, on Flickr

P1060072 by 23weasels, on Flickr

[prog99]

I was about to say did you get the correct Carn Liath summit but see you tagged everything! You'd normally get an unusual view of Ben Avon.
Is the little heather experiment garden still there?

[weaselmaster]

I was about to say did you get the correct Carn Liath summit but see you tagged everything! You'd normally get an unusual view of Ben Avon.
Is the little heather experiment garden still there?

On the way up to Culardoch? Did see a weather station type thing with metal trays or somesuch.
Otherwise must have missed it

[PeteR]

Well done on getting these three done

You should have diverted down to Loch Callater. It's a stunning location and there's a bridge so no need to ford fast flowing rivers on the way back

[prog99]

I was about to say did you get the correct Carn Liath summit but see you tagged everything! You'd normally get an unusual view of Ben Avon.
Is the little heather experiment garden still there?

On the way up to Culardoch? Did see a weather station type thing with metal trays or somesuch.
Otherwise must have missed it

Thats the one.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2006.01251.x/full

[weaselmaster]

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2006.01251.x/full

That was an interesting read- cheers

[weaselmaster]

Well done on getting these three done

You should have diverted down to Loch Callater. It's a stunning location and there's a bridge so no need to ford fast flowing rivers on the way back

Yes, the loch is lovely, been down at the bothy before. Wanted a shorter route, and you know I don't bother about minor irritants like river crossings Someone else isn't keen, mind

[Beaner001]

Almost tried these two on Saturday Al, well done on Second attempt Instead I spent yesterday watching Aberdeen get pumped by Celtic at Parkhead, wud much rather have been on the hills

[Fife Flyer]

Nice one again you two Can't understand why the campsite wasn't heaving
I think I would have opted for Pete's suggestion and made use of the bridge

[Fudgie]

Almost tried these two on Saturday Al, well done on Second attempt Instead I spent yesterday watching Aberdeen get pumped by Celtic at Parkhead, wud much rather have been on the hills

I was also at that match. I enjoyed it though

Well done for getting out. Looks like you pretty much had the hills to yourselves.

[Sick Kid]

I think I would have opted for Pete's suggestion and made use of the bridge

Would much rather have used the bridge, believe me!