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Haven't been out in the hills for a wee while so grabbed the chance to get out and bag a few more with my mate Kev (a.k.a. Drammy). Was worried that the weather might get the better of my car and wouldn't get to the hills if the roads were bad......but woke on wednesday to be fairly surprised that the roads looked good!
It was an early start and met in Rothes just after 5am and headed down to Kilfinnan. We parked up just before the bridge and got suited and booted......wasnt sure how it was going to go today, but the glass is always half full so hoped for good weather and a few views!
We certainly got that!!!!!!
Start of the 3.5km walk in.
Didn't take too long to get the signpost indicating the track up through the forest. It was like heading to Narnia!
It was an easy path up the Cam Bhealach......well easy enough i did have some comedy falls into some of the deeper snow!!!! No pics though!!!!! The sun was rising and gave us hope for a good day of clear skies!
We reached the bealach and we saw some of the views to the west, the sky still looked a bit heavy but we had faith it would clear up! From here we started to skirt round Meall Dubh to the col at the foot of Meall na Teanga. The snow was deep in parts and tough going! We then made for the right hand side of the ridge.
It was steep and gave the legs a real workout but it was worth it when we reached the ridge and headed towards the summit. The views were AMAZING!!!!!!! And it was our 150th Munro!!!!!
The summit and some of the views........
From here we followed our footsteps back to the col and took in the views again.
The view ahead looked good, although thigh deep in places i was officially enjoying myself!
Reached the bealach and it was time for a quick bit to eat before the next steep slog up to the next ridge! We saw signs of a zigzag path from a distance but couldnt see when we started heading up so just took the direct approach and headed onwards and upwards! I was chief step cutter today and was loving it, didnt think the day could get any better til i spotted a pair of eagles flying in the thermals above.(sorry my pics were rubbish so won't post them!) The snow on the way up was deep again in places and worked the calfs to bursting point! But it was beautiful blue skies!
Once on the summit again the views were inpressive.......Sron a Choire Ghairbh with 360 degrees of perfection!
Took time to take it all in.........
The sun dropping
It was time to head back to the bealach and take the Cam Bhealach route out again.......the ridge walk out would have been amazing but decided if the sun was going to go down quickly the safer option was Cam Bhealach. It was an easy walk out and an amazing day in the hills, just followed our footsteps all the way to the forest track......i even got a quick glimpse of a low flying jet over the loch.
Once last look back over the loch before the sun disappeared for the day
I have to say that this has to go down as one the best winter walks i've had. It was a fantastic day in the hills! One very happy Katy at the end of it! Munro count at 151 and still loving it!