Creagan a' Chaise

[litljortindan]

On this very warm day we were bound for Sgorr Gaoith but our will to get there evaporated along the way and there was no resistance to my suggestion that we try something shorter and nearer to home. I do tend to buckle in the heat and despite the shortness of the walk I found this a demanding day, more so than when I visited in nice, cold February. In fact, when we reached the first cairn I was half hoping that Jill would put her foot down and say far enough. She does like to exercise though and she was all for a continuation south. Never mind, a fairly flat ridge I thought.
Flat, yes, but dry no. I knew of its boggy reputation but it felt quite surreal to be squelching almost all the way to the top. What a soggy hill, and this in a very warm and dry spell.
Three days later I was in hospital with a kidney stone. Still not sure what this means for my future hillwalking.

DSCN7892 by John Little, on Flickr
first cairn just visible top left

DSCN7897 by John Little, on Flickr
nice and heathery on the way up

DSCN7899 by John Little, on Flickr
some Cairngorm peripherals

DSCN7905 by John Little, on Flickr
DSCN7906 by John Little, on Flickr
at the first cairn

DSCN7916 by John Little, on Flickr
nearing the summit

DSCN7917 by John Little, on Flickr
DSCN7918 by John Little, on Flickr
DSCN7919 by John Little, on Flickr
DSCN7920 by John Little, on Flickr
DSCN7924 by John Little, on Flickr
DSCN7925 by John Little, on Flickr
DSCN7932 by John Little, on Flickr
DSCN7933 by John Little, on Flickr
at the summit cairn

DSCN7921 by John Little, on Flickr
Lochnagar

DSCN7935 by John Little, on Flickr
DSCN7936 by John Little, on Flickr
looks dry but that is one big soggy sponge

[Gordie12]

Must admit you had me checking my maps for this one - looks good.

In the close up picture of Jill by the big cairn, is she practising her aircraft traffic control signs??

Hope all is OK with your health issue and it doesn't affect the hill walking.

[Huff_n_Puff]

Thanks for this - we pass through Cromdale regularly and these hills are on my radar for the next trip when we have time plus decent weather so its great to know what the conditions are like

[Cairngorm creeper]

Great views from Creagan a Chaise but torturous with the bog and even worse in soft snow but we walked the hills end to end on New Year's Day when it was all frozen solid and the going was remarkably easy. I think Sgor Gaoith may have been easier .
I hope your health issues are resolved soon.

[litljortindan]

Must admit you had me checking my maps for this one - looks good.

In the close up picture of Jill by the big cairn, is she practising her aircraft traffic control signs??

Hope all is OK with your health issue and it doesn't affect the hill walking.

Yes, plenty of character and fine views. Jill maybe has missed a vocation there and in fact there was a lot of air traffic that day. Second week in hospital but looking good though will have to change my lifetime habit of not drinking enough. I just like to learn the hard way it seems.

[litljortindan]

Thanks for this - we pass through Cromdale regularly and these hills are on my radar for the next trip when we have time plus decent weather so its great to know what the conditions are like

Don't think it would be great after heavy rain. Room for one small car at the farm entrance but i read too that the farm will happily give permission to park in its yard if you don't fancy parkng in Cromdale. Also seems to be a resonable route from the east according to folk we met there.

[litljortindan]

Great views from Creagan a Chaise but torturous with the bog and even worse in soft snow but we walked the hills end to end on New Year's Day when it was all frozen solid and the going was remarkably easy. I think Sgor Gaoith may have been easier .
I hope your health issues are resolved soon.

Yes, i think a cold winter's day might be best. Hopefully back walking soon but having to think about hydration first.