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We were staying at Saddle Mountain Hostel to celebrate New Year, and sadly the Hare and I had not arrived in time to benefit from the beautiful Hogmanay weather. New Year's Day was cloudy with strong winds. We persuaded 6 people not interested in bagging Grahams to choose a traverse of Carn Mhic an Toisich because we had the possibility of using several cars, so that we could have lots of chat on the tracks, the wind might not be too strong on a Graham and would be behind us as we walked over the summit. After a little confusion when one fairly empty car went straight to the start and two cars full of people went to the end, we set off through the woods just by Dundreggan. The first point of interest was a cairn with footprint shapes in the ground, allegedly left by a highland preacher in 1827.
- Footprints
The wood was delightful, then we gained the track which goes up by the Beauly Denny pylon line, This wasn't as unpleasant as I had thought it might be, maybe cos of lots of chat, maybe because the path went under the line and the views westwards were then unimpeded.
- Along the track, some way to go
Eventually we cut off uphill, and after a few wet peat hags, ended up on a splendid little ridge - well, it was interesting compared to everything else.
- Approaching the little ridge
It was too windy to hang around on the top, so we dropped down for a quick lunch out of the wind. The clouds sadly obscured what is apparentlly a splendid view towards Glen Affric, but lifted enough to enable us to admire the turbine-covered top of the nearby Meall a'Chrathaich, a Graham for another day, There was a new line of fence posts between our summit and Carn na Caorach, and my heart sank since I hate climbing deer fences. However I was delighted to see the folk in front passing easily between the posts - the wire fence is not installed yet. I missed it but apparently there was a stile all ready just off route a bit, also spanning thin air. The Hare wondered about diverting for a photo of it, but decided to maintain his position as leader of the pack.
We crossed Carn na Caorach and half way down found an atv track, which led us to a gate in a completed deer fence.
- Walking out
Then it was downhill on a good track all the way to the road at Bhlaraidh, when I decided that indeed this route is too steep for me to cycle up another time. A bit of shuffling with the cars, and we were soon back to the hostel for tea.
