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Munro (Year Total) 1 -
I have always wanted to summit a Munro in the winter months, so when at the start of the year I set myself a challenge of completing 50 in 2018 I thought it would be an ideal way to start my count.
Now I was well aware that winter high tops walking on Scotland is dangerous and can be quite extreme, I also knew that I didn't have the skill, confidence or some of the equipment to do it alone, so I thought the best option would be to go as part of a group.
I live very close to Falkirk and the community trust team has one of the best and probably the cheapest winter programs in Scotland, so I visited their offices and I was soon booked onto a trip to Glas Tulaichean. At a price of £35 which includes transport and the hire of any equipment you need I thought it was a steel, the fuel costs alone for me to drive up to Glenshee would have been £20.
So the long awaited day arrived, I drove up to their offices for 7am, where I met our guide Craig and the other 6 participants, it was a good mix of people, mostly with more hill experience with me. I was also quite surprised to find out that at nearly 50 I was the 2nd youngest, most of the others being in the over 60 bracket.
The day before I'd taken the opportunity to test my winter layering system, all was good. The only equipment I would need would be crampons, an ice axe and some goggles, I was also persuaded to try some poles as well, with these quickly sorted and packed away, we were off in the minibus and on our way north to the Spittal of Glenshee.
The traffic was surprising light and after a wee stop in Blairgowrie for a comfort break and some coffee, we arrived in Glenshee and the turn off for the Dalmunzie House Hotel. Craig is here quite often during the year so he has a prior arrangement with the management about parking, heading up the single track road towards the hotel the fresh coating of snow was quite deep, the drive in down the hill might be easy, but with the forecast to be for more snow the drive out could be a problem. So after a word with a hotel employee who had been tasked with trying to keep the road open with his 4x4, we turned around and decided to park back at the main road close to the bridge.
After a last check of every bodies equipment we were on our way by 9:40, as you can see the road was already under a good coating of snow as we walked in towards the hotel.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
The further we walked in the snowier the landscape became.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
The views soon start to open up and you get to see a little more of the fantastic winter scenery.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
The sheep cowered in the corner of their pen, they must have known the weather was coming in.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Soon enough we turn a corner and pass by the hotel on our left. You could tell it's a busy hill walking spot, the hotel has kindly erected a large sign telling hill walkers to go right.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
We're soon nearing the last 2 buildings on the road when we are directed left through a gate into a field way marked with posts. Glen Lochsie opens up before you.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
We eventually find the old Dalmunzie railway trackbed, we follow that rather than the boggy hill path up into the glen.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
As we head towards the old Glenlochsie lodge for some quick refreshments, it starts to darken as the clouds block the light.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Beautiful ice sculptures as we cross the burn.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
A quick look back down the glen as we leave the lodge and start to head upwards.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Soon enough the weather begins to come in, the views around us start to disappear into a haze of cloud and snow.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
With the wind and snow blowing from our left we start the long climb towards the summit. Although there is at most times an easily followed wide track, it has been excavated to provide an easy path for summer walkers, so the snow has drifted into its depths at times 50-60cm deep. With Craig and I taking turns breaking track we skirt the path the best we can, using heather, rock or even ice to keep the walking as easy as we can. I've never used walking poles before, but I must admit they do certainly make your walking more efficient and steady, I was even using them to asses the depths of the snow as we walked on and up.
Up until this point I was thinking that I could quite happily have done this alone, but as we near the corrie (Glas Choire Mhor) on the eastern face, the wind picks up to 30-35mph and we're in a blizzard and total whiteout, I happy for Craig to take the lead for the final climb to the summit.
At last we are up on top, a blizzard surrounding us, even with 8 of us hunting for the trig point we struggled to find it, eventually we use a GPS map, only to find it 3m to our side.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Only one picture from up here, I tried for the obligatory summit shot of myself, my camera was having none of it. The wind and snow were blowing, it was easily 10-15 below, even after only 10-20 seconds of exposure my fingers were stinging.
We gathered in a close group while Craig gave us our final instructions for descent.
Always make sure you can see the person in front and behind you, check regularly.
Don't wander away from the track he is breaking.
If you lose the person in front stop, gather in a group and shout as loud as you can.
If you lose the person behind you, stop, shout on Craig and wait.
Have fun.
We started the descent, Craig in front pacing out 1km compass in hand. The tip of my nose looks like it's glowing
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Roughly a kilometer later we stop and regroup to check on everybody.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Everyone well we continue on, Craig leading us down in to the white in front of us.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
At last features start to reappear.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
We head down to the lower slopes.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
We reach the lodge and break for a breather and coffee, I find more ice sculptures.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
We leave the lodge and head back down the railway trackbed.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
The surrounding views return in their glorious winter coating.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
We walk down and out, eventually reaching the road and then the minibus at 17:20. Just over 13 miles and nearly 8hrs of type 2 fun on the hill.
Now that really does beat, by a long way, any sort of excitement I used to get from drugs or alcohol.
Still Living "Just For Today"