Misty Mountain Top - Braeriach
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 10:46 pmDay Two from my base near the bothy in Glen Feshie, this time I headed West onto Moine Mhor, a highish level area between munros known for having a diverse ecology. I'd never been up here before. Always the wind was too strong or I'd been too cautious to try and wild camp so high up during winter months (with good reason to be fair).
I was a little nervous, I can't explain why. Perhaps it was reading a book by a mountain rescue guy (Cairngorm John) or I was on my own or I was tired from the previous day's walk or I'd not explored the area despite having the opportunity a couple of times.
I took the good track into its centre and found that once on it there wasn't much to be afraid of. The mountain bike tracks helped my confidence a bit.
The weather was cloudy. Quite low cloud down to 800m at times. Walking up the slopes of Braeraich, I stood and looked back to see cloud drifting in from the left and right but leaving a good view of Moine Mhor. I enjoyed the view for a bit before heading up into the mist.
Top of Braeriach
I practised my navigation at the top by walking to two subsidiary peaks and keeping to a bearing. I didn't guess the distance by counting footsteps or anything.
View from Cairn Toul
The walk back to Loch nan Stuirteag was pleasant, looking at mosses, lichens and flowers while listening to Desert Island Disc podcasts - The gardener Dan Pearson, Steve Coogan and Lily Allen.
Common Milkwort
Common Butterwort, not showing insect-digesting leaves below
Loch nan Stuirteag
Walking through Moine Mhor dispelled any fears I had and I could even see a couple of sheltered spots for potential wild camps. Would it be sheltered enough to withstand 90 mph winds that came through a few days after I left the area? I doubt it...fear can be a good thing!
I was a little nervous, I can't explain why. Perhaps it was reading a book by a mountain rescue guy (Cairngorm John) or I was on my own or I was tired from the previous day's walk or I'd not explored the area despite having the opportunity a couple of times.
I took the good track into its centre and found that once on it there wasn't much to be afraid of. The mountain bike tracks helped my confidence a bit.
The weather was cloudy. Quite low cloud down to 800m at times. Walking up the slopes of Braeraich, I stood and looked back to see cloud drifting in from the left and right but leaving a good view of Moine Mhor. I enjoyed the view for a bit before heading up into the mist.
I practised my navigation at the top by walking to two subsidiary peaks and keeping to a bearing. I didn't guess the distance by counting footsteps or anything.
The walk back to Loch nan Stuirteag was pleasant, looking at mosses, lichens and flowers while listening to Desert Island Disc podcasts - The gardener Dan Pearson, Steve Coogan and Lily Allen.
Walking through Moine Mhor dispelled any fears I had and I could even see a couple of sheltered spots for potential wild camps. Would it be sheltered enough to withstand 90 mph winds that came through a few days after I left the area? I doubt it...fear can be a good thing!