An icy blast on Creagan a' Chaise

[rob munbett]

I was staying in Grantown on Spey for a day or two and had a free morning so a quick trip to Creagan a' Chaise was possible. The weather wasn't exactly great: the tops of the Grahams were at times clear but there was a very strong icy wind making things pretty unpleasant, even in full gear. I parked on the minor road above Cromdale in a crescent shaped turning area at about NJ097282 and then walked NE along the road until I came to a metal gate on the right. Through this, there was a farm track which led to a t-junction. I took the RH track above Claggersnich Wood, past the Clach nam Piobair to a peaty path which led up past a line of grouse butts to the Coronation Cairn on the skyline.

Carn a' Ghille Chearr from the ascent of Creagan a' Chaise

Coronation Cairn and the distant summit

From here, ATV tracks led over quite boggy ground to the distant summit. By this point, the icy blast was eye watering and a white frost was forming on my gear. I had to lean into it make progress. At least in would be at my back on the way out!

On the broad ridge looking over to the distant summit

Approaching the final rise to the the summit

There was a final rise on to the summit ridge where there was a trig and large cairn. However, it was very exposed and there was no real shelter so no stop for a snack and hot drink on this walk.

The summit trig and Jubilee Cairn

The distant Carn a' Ghille Chearr from the descent

I headed off sharpish back down the route of ascent back to the car for the short journey back to the hotel and a hot shower.

[litljortindan]

A pity about the cold wind. It is otherwise an enjoyable walk I think.