Walkhighlands

Looked like it was going to be a fine morning according to the weather report, so decided to take the opportunity to get a quick hike in this morning. Headed up to Glen Shee and the Cairnwell three.

Arrived at 9am, and the sun was still shining, but a few clouds about.
IMG_0225 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking back at the ski centre.

IMG_0226 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking up towards the summit of Carn Aosda

IMG_0228 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
The summit itself is a bit unassuming.

IMG_0229 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking towards the next top, Carn a'Gheoidh, from Carn Aosda.

IMG_0230 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Someone camping at Loch Vrotachan.

IMG_0232 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Still patches of snow clinging to the hills.

IMG_0234 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Carn a'Gheoidh summit cairn looking West

IMG_0235 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking North towards the Cairngorms, still some very big patches left over there.

IMG_0237 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Closer view of the North.

IMG_0236 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
And looking back East towards Carn Aosda and The Cairnwell and Lochnager in the further distance.

IMG_0238 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Time to head back to Glen Shee via The Cairnwell.

IMG_0239 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Decided to avoid heading back up to the ski centre tracks but rather take the direct route.

IMG_0241 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
The less said about this one the better to be honest!

IMG_0243 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking back up the old Cairnwell chairlift which is currently being removed. Doubt they'll get it replaced with the new one before the start of the new ski season which is a shame, as the Tiger is a great little run!

In the end, I think I just timed it to perfection as the clouds were rolling in and it was looking a little grey when I got back to the car, great day.

Lovely day for it. Carn a'Gheoidh is surprisingly pointy as seen from the Glen Ey hills - I didn't remember it being like that from climbing it!

Aye, it's a mere bump when approaching from Glen Shee. The walk from that side doesn't really do it justice.

dogplodder wrote:Lovely day for it. Carn a'Gheoidh is surprisingly pointy as seen from the Glen Ey hills - I didn't remember it being like that from climbing it!

There is a pointed top, Carn Bhinnein, about a mile west of Carn a'Gheoidh. I remember that standing out when looking south-east from the Glen Ey group. Carn a'Gheoidh is in the middle of this view and Carn Bhinnein to the right of centre.


For all the criticism, these hills do have their wilder and more scenic sides. And the Cairnwell has one advantage as a viewpoint: all of the other hills you're looking at aren't the Cairnwell

Ah, so that's what it was.