Easter weekend, first trip to Scotland 2016

[martin.h]

Our first trip to Scotland 2016.
It wasn't promising the best of weather over the Easter weekend compared to the two or three weeks prior to our visit so expectation was not too high, anything would do, just so long as we'd get the chance to venture into Munro country, nothing too hard considering we'd not been on a Munro since last September but something with distance involved to get the legs stretched and something that would give us a couple of Munros to get the ball rolling.

Carn na Caim and A'Bhuidheanach Bheag.
Friday 25/3/16.
5.5 hours.
824m ascent.
19km.


We had three Munro's left to do up the A9 near Drumochter and the Carn na Caim and A'Bhuidheanach Bheag double would fit the bill nicely for what we wanted.
Using the Travelodge at Huntingtower nr Perth as our base the trip up the A9 to Drumochter is only 50 mins and with no hold ups it was an easy journey.
Parking in layby 87 is fine so long as you get most of the car onto the verge, so there we were ready for the off.

There was a sneaky wind chilling us as we got ready so we went prepared for a keen breeze on the tops. We headed for the gate as described and started the steady pull up to the quarry.
This was ideal as a "break in" for the legs and even though we'd been in the Lakes a few times over winter my legs definately needed breaking in, but it was good to be back munro-ing.
When we arrived at the 902m height above the quarry there's a cairn to tell you you've arrived at the deciding point, by that I mean whether to do Carn na Caim first as described or go for A'Bhuidheanach Bheag, we decided on the latter because the distant clouds were coming up from the south and we wanted to get views from both hills, hopefully we'd get to both summits before they arrived.

There was a keen breeze blowing across the plateau so unfortunately the willingness to take loads of photo's took back stage so the ones I took aren't that interesting.
We headed for the cairn on A'Bhuidheanach which isn't marked on the map and, for some reason, carried on over and started to head west , I saw the error in time to correct it but was annoyed I'd made it in clear conditions, so we backtracked to the cairn and re-adjusted.
The way over to the trig on A'B Bheag was over snow so made for slow going but we arrived and the views were good, if a bit muted by the cloud cover, Munro No 1 for 2016, grand.

DSC01375 by Martin Hawer Denise by the trig onA'Bhuidhenach Bheag.

DSC01377 by Martin Hawer Some views from the summit, sorry, but not the best.

DSC01380 by Martin Hawer

DSC01381 by Martin Hawer

DSC01382 by Martin Hawer

DSC01383 by Martin Hawer

DSC01384 by Martin Hawer

After a few photo's we were off again, re-tracing our footprints back to the quarry, most of the way was easy enough, occasionly hampered by the snow, but there was no need for crampons or ice axe, our poles kept us upright.
Once at the 902m cairn we set off for Carn na Caim, we could see all the way round to it but the distance was deceptive and it seemed to take for ever to get there, the fenceposts helped a bit but both of us were glad to arrive at the cairn.

DSC01385 by Martin Hawer Denise on Carn na Caim

DSC01386 by Martin Hawer Views from the summit.

DSC01387 by Martin Hawer

DSC01387 by Martin Hawer

DSC01388 by Martin Hawer



So that was Munro No 2, two reasonably easy Munro's ticked off, now it was a case of getting back to the quarry and down to the car.
Walking down the track is good for views.

DSC01389 by Martin HawerFrom near the quarry.

DSC01390 by Martin Hawer

DSC01391 by Martin Hawer A wee bit further down.

DSC01392 by Martin Hawer,

DSC01393 by Martin Hawer

DSC01394 by Martin Hawer

By this time the weather looked like it was going to change for the worse and by the time we'd got to the car and changed into our jeans, it had started to rain so the timing was brilliant, we'd had a good day for the first trip into the Scottish mountains this year.


Saturday was a write off as far as mountains were concerned so we had a look around Huntingtower house and then did a bit of shopping.

Meall Ghaordaidh.
Sunday 27/3/16.
4.5 hours.
895m ascent.
9.5km

Sunday dawned a bit iffy but we decided to have a go at Meall Ghaordaidh, another Munro just right to do in inclemant weather.
We set off, Killin bound, watching the weather as we went, it looked a bit crappy on the tops but felt we had to do something to justify our lazy Saturday and, going home Easter Monday, this was our only chance to gain another tick.
We arrived at the parking spot, looked up and saw the weather could change for the better, it wasn't raining now so decided to go for it.
We set off following the W.H description, over the fields on an obvious path and then onto a decent track. You can make out the pole mentioned in the description and as we got closer the little cairn marking the start of the path up the mountain is really quite easy to spot.
From here the route is a bit wet.

DSC01422 by Martin Hawer looking back, views opening up.

DSC01423 by Martin Hawer

DSC01424 by Martin Hawer The broken fence.

Its only when you get to around the 850m height does the path start to get firmer underfoot.
Not much higher up we were above the snowline and the going got better, by now we were in the cloud so any hope of a view from the summit was doubtful.
We kept on plodding up, then, quite unexpectedly, we arrived at the summit shelter and trig, we were both thinking we had a way to go to the top and it was a pleasant surprise when we got there.

DSC01425 by Martin Hawer, At the summit.

DSC01426 by Martin Hawer, And now the views.

DSC01427 by Martin Hawer,

DSC01428 by Martin Hawer. Mmmmmm!

It was cold in the wind so we donned the goggles to protect our eyes from it, that made us feel better while we were stood around but it was no fun so we set off down, if conditions had have been better we'd have had a go at including the corbett Beinn nan Oighreag, something I've fancied doing so we'll have to go back for that, it looks a nice wander.

On the way down the cloud did the usual thing and started to clear the summits.

DSC01430 by Martin Hawer Views appearing.

DSC01431 by Martin Hawer.

DSC01432 by Martin Hawer.

DSC01433 by Martin Hawer.

As we got lower the sun came out,typical!!, oh well, we'd planned on getting three ticks, minimum, and got 'em so that was a success.

DSC01437 by Martin Hawer Looking back up the mountainside from the road.

DSC01438 by Martin Hawer

Our next trip up North is to Glencoe beginning of May so hopefully we'll get a few more mountains under our belts,
can't wait!

[jamesb63]

Well Done Martin and some nice pics
will be nice just getting back to the hills ,hope the weather gods
are with you for Glencoe

[Alteknacker]

Given the forecast, not too bad weather. But I really do know what you mean about summits clearing just as you get well down from them

[Beaner001]

Great stuff Marts, maybe catch up this summer

[Fife Flyer]

Nice one Martin, sorry I couldn't meet up with you
The photo's make the weather look OK, apart from the clag of course
Will try and hook up in Glencoe in May, but don't forget I am on a mission

[The Rodmiester]

Great stuff Martin, that's you done 3 more than me this year. Snow receding fast I see, you must try and make a WH meet sometime to meet the rest of the guys.

[Jaxter]

Ah well at least you got some summit views!

Nice job

[martin.h]

Well Done Martin and some nice pics
will be nice just getting back to the hills ,hope the weather gods
are with you for Glencoe

Cheers jamesb
Fingers crossed for Glencoe, we've still a few new munros to have a go at around there, especially Glen Etive

But I really do know what you mean about summits clearing just as you get well down from them

Thanks Alteknacker,
I get the feeling that's the default setting for the munros, we'll just have to go back and do 'em again without the cloud

Great stuff Marts, maybe catch up this summer

Thanks Matt,
That'll be good, I'll PM you our plans for the summer, hopefully we'll get the chance

Nice one Martin, sorry I couldn't meet up with you
The photo's make the weather look OK, apart from the clag of course
Will try and hook up in Glencoe in May, but don't forget I am on a mission

Thanks Martin,
I fully understand and lets hope you manage it, only 35 to go
I'll let you know of our plans for Glencoe.
Take care.

Great stuff Martin, that's you done 3 more than me this year. Snow receding fast I see, you must try and make a WH meet sometime to meet the rest of the guys.

Thanks Rod,
It would be great to meet up with all the folks, putting faces to names, spending time in the hills and a few bevvy's afterwards, brilliant, we'd like that

Ah well at least you got some summit views!

Nice job

Thanks jaxter,
Your trip around Drumochter was epic, really really good, nice one