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Reasonably early start today and we had parked and changed at the South approach from Tarvie lodge but found that stalking was in progress and after a pleasant exchange with Jim the keeper who was taking a Client out we happily agreed to change our plans. Back to the car and driving around to the Loch Moriag didn't take too long but we were now cutting things fine to get back in the light.
From Loch Moraig we walked along the land drover track down Glen Girnaig which provides fabulous views of the Beinn a'Ghlo massif and Ben Vuirich that gradually reveals itself. We walked all the way along the track until if forks with the main route heading up into the high Corries of Beinn a'Ghlo. Here we turned right and crossed the Grinaig burn and made our way up the shoulder of Innearach. Soft heather made for heavy going as the path was soon lost. A quick pull onto Meall Breac above the lochain and a decision point reached, how were we going to get across the bogs. As it was we headed for the spot height 625 just South of Loch Valigan. Curious rock formation were seen here which to the uneducated eye looked similar to that found on a limestone pavement , Solution erosion. Further on formations were more gritty and pink but still looked like a pavement.
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- limestone pavement like rock formation
The traverse of the bog took it times, not something that could be rushed, just picking a route and carefully plodding. Luckily it was mostly frozen, crusty in places and only here and there did a foot break through. The final pull onto Ben Vuirich was through heather crossed by a myriad of deer paths, promising much but disappearing. The final slopes, luxuriously mossy, soft and deep were a welcome change. A couple of small bands of boulders dusted by ice shielded the top where a thin layer of snow seemed to blanket the summit cairn.
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- Summit cairn
Good views from the top, the Beinn a'Ghlo hills had an icing on the upper ridges while the hills to the distant North East were white. The hill provides an interesting vantage point for the hills around the Spittal of Glenshee, which at a comparable height are not lost but we will leave those for another adventure perhaps.
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- summit view across to Ben a'Ghlo
by 2 o'clock it was getting late and the descent was becoming urgent as I didn't want to be caught in Corrie Buidhe Mor in the dark. I wanted to find the track that ran down to Shinagag and be well down it before I needed a torch. A word to the wise , the shoulder of Crockton suggests , on the ground , that the track drops down to the South so beware! I took the compass out to check and was glad I did so as it would be a long way back to the car!
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- Top of the track down to Shinigag
There is an obvious cairn like structure on the South slopes of Meall Breac below a small crag, it looks like a cairn from a distance but it's not, however it is obvious and it does mark the start to the Shinagag track. There are also a few marker posts.
As we descended we watched the sun sinking over the Western hills and arrived at the farm as the sun dropped below the horizon. We still had lots of light but it was now a race to get back to the car before the head torches would be necessary. As we reached the main track, were the Shinagag route breaks off , we stopped for a drink and to rummage for the torches while we had light to do so. The temperature had dropped and everything was getting iced , puddles had refrozen and the odd skating manoeuvre on the track kept us alert. 40 minutes later we were back at the car just as it was getting dark.
A great day out enjoyed some decent weather for the first time in what seems like ages.
