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Last week, when we climbed Carn Mor from the Lecht side, I kept thinking about its neighbour, Carn Ealasaid. We had done it before
from Cock Bridge using the good ATV track that goes all the way to the summit, but I always fancied exploring the northern side of this mountain and not necessarily from Lecht Ski Center. SMC Guide to Corbetts suggests an alternative route from a small car park about 1km from the Well of Lecht (A939). To my content, I found the very same route described in detail on WH
It's really a half-day walk or even a summer evening stroll, but as we were about to find out, even an easy walk becomes more of an adventure in winter conditions!
Forecast was sunny but cold and windy - many warm layers required
We had bought new winter gloves the day before and were eager to test them in frrrezing conditions!
From the wee car park (or just an off-road parking area if one prefers), an obvious track leads past a gate and follows a small stream, gaining height steadily. In summer time one could run up and down Carn Ealasaid in less than 3 hours, but conditions we encountered didn't encourage running. Far too much white stuff!
Looking down to A939 from the start of the track:
Up we go! Winter wonderland is waiting!
There was a surprisingly thick layer of snow on the track and I had lots of fun hopping and jumping, stomping around in the white powder. Nice to experience good winter conditions so early this year!
Our new gloves proved a good purchase. Kevin actually complained his hands were too warm
We followed the track to the col at 570 m, where it became so filled with snow that we assumed it would be easier to walk straight up. We aimed for the summit of Beinn a'Chruinnich (which has a phone mast on top). We could see some of the ski paraphernalia now, but to be honest, they are less view-spoiling than windfarms. Plus we were too busy fighting the snow to pay attention to the surrounding landscape
Black Panther in white world:
Kevin had a small mishap. He stepped into a hidden stream and sunk up to his ankles into mud. Arghhhh! Thankfully, the mud was very thick so he didn't get his feet wet. He kept his spirits high and marched on, regardless of the layer of wet mud freezing on his boot and gaiters
He doesn't give up so easily!
I knew that the track was there somewhere under the snow but now it would be impossible to find it:
As we neared the summit, views became better and we could marvel at the winter wonderland around us... Wow!
The Lecht Mine in white:
Panoramic view south from the upper slopes of Beinn a'Chruinnich:
Higher up it was quite windy but we stayed warm as long as we kept moving. Walking was easier now as most of the snow was swept away by the wind. I was in a happy mood, probably the Christmas spirit was reaching down to touch me!
We climbed to the mast near the top and hid behind it for a few minutes to regroup before traversing to the summit. Soon I discovered that it wasn't the safest place to be... watch your head, Panther!
I spotted the summit cairn a few meters away so we visited this spot and took some pictures. Regardless of the snow fences and all the ski-constructions, it's a superb viewpoint and with blue sky and white hills surrounding us, we forgot for a few minutes about the cold wind...
Frrrezing Panther on the top of Beinn a'Chruinnich:
View back north to our ascent route, Hills of Cromdale in the distance (my next target for a winter repeat!):
A wider pano:
Brown Cow Hill:
Ben Avon:
The true summit of Carn Ealasaid lies about 2km in SW direction, over a wide bealach. Looks piece of cake:
...and to start with, it was easy walking on windswept vegetation:
...but soon we came across a labyrinth of snow-filled peat hags. At least the bog on the bottom was frozen, but some were filled with loads of snow. We laughed, jumped, hopped, got stuck, pulled our legs out of deep snow holes, and generally had winter fun
It's so close yet so far
Kevin marching on:
Peat hags + snow + wind = winter sculptures:
Avoiding another snow bath:
Panorama - looking back to Beinn a'Chruinnich:
Once past the ocean of peat hags, a quick 100m climb brought us to the summit of Cairn Ealasaid. The cairn is not big, but there wasn't enough snow to hide it completely
After a few minutes of picture snapping we had to put on extra layers of warm clothes, as the wind wasn't joking! My new gloves have one disadvantage, they are so thick, my fingers get clumsy and I couldn't zip up my top or even do up my hood velcro... Kevin rushed to help me. Nice to know, I still have my love to keep me warm!
We had initially planned a cup of tea by the cairn, but it was far too cold and windy, so we concentrated on photos!
The ATV track passing by the cairn + view north:
Ben Avon with cloud boiling up over the plateau:
Hills of Cromdale:
Mount Keen:
Panoramas:
We didn't really fancy returning the way we came and traversing all that peat-hag madness again, so we decided to stick to WH route and descend the broad ridge of Lurg Mheadhonach. It is supposedly very boggy, but we hoped that most bog would be frozen.
One last look at the amazing winter wonderland before dropping into the glen:
Wrapped up in layers, facing the wind:
Having descended about 200m, we lost the chilly wind and walking became pleasant again, maybe except from an occasional foot stuck in a snow hole. I wend mad for a short time...
...before calming down to face the final obstacle. Funny, there was more white stuff lower down the shoulder we descended and we were reduced to snow-hopping once again!
At least Kevin's muddy boots and gaiters had free cleaning services!
Heading down to Meur Crionach:
At the bottom of the glen we spied somebody's footprints and following them, we soon came across a boggy ATV track, leading to a gate and then back to A939. Finally, a short walk down the road brought us back to the car, where we warmed ourselves quickly with a hot cuppa.
Carn Ealasaid looks good in white!
I'm not ashamed to admit that it took us 4.5 hours to complete this circuit, all that snow up on the ridge (and on the descent, too!) really slowed us down. But who cares about records. I'd rather spend more time enjoying the winter wonderland while it lasts. It didn't the previous year, but hopefully, we're up to a proper winter in 2017/18. Frostbitten fingers crossed
