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Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)

Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)


Postby Bod » Mon Dec 03, 2012 9:18 pm

Route description: Meall Chuaich, Drumochter

Munros included on this walk: Meall Chuaich

Date walked: 02/12/2012

Time taken: 5.25 hours

Distance: 14 km

Ascent: 610m

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Well, in stark contrast with last Saturday in Glencoe when we were up the wee Buachaille after a late breakfast, Valerie, Ritchie and I were on the summit of Meall Chuaich today by 10.30am and back home in Cowdenbeath by 3.00pm. We had deliberately left this munro for a day such as this :D :D :D
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The aquaduct running by the Allt Cuaich just east of the A9 near Dalwhinnie. That's the moon setting in the West.
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An amazing effort today, pretty much last minute plans. Up at 5.30, on the road by 6.00, walking by 7.50, up the mountain by 10.30, back down and home for 3.00pm for a Christmas Christingle service at our church with wee Cameron by 4.00pm :)
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The hydro power station.
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Meall Chuaich nears after a fairly easy walk in from layby 94 on the A9.
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A locked bothy with a few seats and fine wee stove to be seen through the windows :)
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Track becomes footpath and we are still awaiting the sun. Minus 4 or 5 degrees so far :)
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One man and his dog :)
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The sun appears over the hills to the south.
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Looking south westwards with A'Mharconaich and the Drumochter Pass to the left and Loch Ericht and Ben Alder forest to the right.
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A wonderful day presents itself! A sunny Dec/Jan day is a cracking day for these hills.
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OOOooohh!
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Yum, yum, yum ... bonios!
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Valerie now approaching the final rocky slopes at about 900 metres up.
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I like this :)
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Lovely!
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A stunning summit, so happy we saved it for a day like this :) :) :)
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What planet are we on? Time to hang around a little and enjoy!
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A winter wonderland :)
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Not many cairns that Ritchie can relax on top of, but this was one! Another bonio pit stop ...
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Please let's not go home yet!
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OOOOOOooooooHH!
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Me and the wee wife happy as larry with the dug running around full of beans :)
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Creag Meagaidh in all its glory to the west :)
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What better way to spend the morning! :)


:wink: :D :D :D :D
Last edited by Bod on Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:29 pm, edited 6 times in total.
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Bod
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Re: Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)

Postby gammy leg walker » Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:16 pm

Stunning way to spend a few hours,its days like this that make up for all the days in the clag.
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Re: Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)

Postby Collaciotach » Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:17 pm

Grand pics Bod very nearly headed there myself on Saturday like you saving for a Winter day ..pics are magical there fella :D :D
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Re: Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)

Postby The Rodmiester » Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:32 pm

Bod, that looks soooooooooooo gooooooooooood, what a difference a wee bit of the white stuff can make to the hills. Especially if there is not a howling gale blowing at the top so you can pass a bit of time 'just taking it in' :D and enjoying the experience. Fabulous photographs! Let's have more days like that :D
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Re: Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)

Postby IreneM » Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:37 pm

Smashing photos! :D

:clap: :clap: :clap:
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Re: Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)

Postby pigeon » Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:45 pm

Superb Bod :thumbup:
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Re: Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:50 pm

Magnificent! :clap:
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Re: Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)

Postby Bod » Mon Dec 03, 2012 11:27 pm

Cheers folks, it sure was smashing, superb and magical :roll: :D :D
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Re: Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)

Postby jupe1407 » Mon Dec 03, 2012 11:34 pm

Excellent stuff Bod. As you know, I was on the other side of the A9 :lol:

The snow/sun combo makes an incredible difference!
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Re: Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)

Postby Alan S » Mon Dec 03, 2012 11:40 pm

Stunning Bod, Great idea leaving this hill for a day like that 8)
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Re: Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)

Postby rockhopper » Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:50 am

Good to see what I didn't see on this hill Bod ! Lovely day for it and a great set of photos - magnificent views and colours in the early morning shots - cheers :)
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Re: Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)

Postby ChrisW » Tue Dec 04, 2012 4:15 am

What a stunner Bod, beautiful photos of a fine short day in the hills, I bet you wish that day was a longer one now don't you :D
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Re: Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)

Postby Johnny Corbett » Tue Dec 04, 2012 11:36 am

Lovely Bod. These short walks are ideal for having the time to mess around at the summit. When i did this there was over 100 people on it. :)
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Re: Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)

Postby PeteR » Wed Dec 05, 2012 12:10 am

A much underated hill Bod :D And one that looks even better with a covering of snow :D Looks like a belter of a day :D
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Re: Meall Chuaich - a wondrous morning :)

Postby mgmt! » Wed Dec 05, 2012 12:36 am

nice report there big chap, was a bit concerned you wanted to get back to cowdenbeath early :shock: but then read it was for a good cause. :D
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