Meall a Bhuachaille - no puns required

[kevsbald]

Unusually, I find myself writing with a hangover - a 21-year old from Glengoyne did the damage - was good at the time but I'm suffering today. Apologies if this report doesn't really flow or have any jokes. I returned from the Cairngorms after a magical outing - one of those days that doesn't really require a full verbal account of what happened - hopefully the photos do it justice. I had longed to do Bynack More for yonks but knew that the snowfall was immense and I'd likely be wading for hours before giving up and returning Munro-less or worse, actually become part of hill folklore - "he just waded into the sunset and was never found again - sometimes you can hear him cracking jokes and laughing at his own tales - then you hear the wading again...he wisnae right...." Sorry, where was I? Got up to Glenmore Lodge quite late in the day - 1330. I parked just past the Lodge and as I disembarked, I was rounded up by two excitable collie dogs - Come High! The path down through and on to the Ryvoan gap is a simply magical place to be - the different fauna and flora are outstanding and I was lost in a world of idyllic surroundings. As things tend to happen, this simple walk turned awkward when I obviously began ascending up Meall a Bhuachaille too early - it was rather steep going - so steep that I had to grab heather and roots to pull myself up - I had clearly taken the wrong way up. It did however provide rapid ascent and fantastic views across the Cairngorms - and there was Bynack More popping out in the distance. The only problem I have is the ski paraphernalia which really leaves a sour taste in the mouth as these hills are beautiful to look at. By using strategically placed trees, I was able to capture the hills minus the bumpf. I plateau'd out and enjoyed the final walk up to the huge summit cairn - I donned all my gear, sat down and just revelled in the heat on my face, while being insulated against the perishing Cairngorm wind. It was a beautiful 10 minutes of afternoon peace - probably about 1645 and not another soul on the hill. Quite a moving experience and I was genuinely reluctant to get up and move on. However, I did and although I wasn't planning on the full traverse of Creagan Gorm and Craiggowrie, they did look very tantalising. No, it was getting late and I had to get down - although fun at first by virtue of skooting (ski-ing in Scarpa boots - quite fun), the snow softened up further down and I was actually wading back to the forest. The track alongside the road brought me back to my starting point. Once again, another brilliant Corbett in the bag and a superb day out.

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And thus the walk begins..

An lochan uaine - no green to be seen

Ryvoan bothy in the distance

Is that Bynack More peepin' oot?

Wow

Double wow

Almost there..

Summit cairn - it's a big ene

Bliss

Creagan Gorm and Craiggowrie - for another day

Love you hills...mwah

[Graeme D]

Nice one Kev - Ronnie strikes again! One of the few hills my wife has done but I havnae!

I'm assuming the Glengoyne related damage was not inflicted on the hill, but rather afterwards once you were back chez toi? Anyway, at least the mice didnae get it this time. Wee blighters!

[Paul Webster]

I don't know, I reckon you look a bit like you are hungover in that summit shot

[HighlandSC]

I don't know, I reckon you look a bit like you are hungover in that summit shot

Could explain the shortcut to ascend, avoiding the excellent path?

Good report again Kev. You're fairly getting around at the moment.

Nice to see this with it's winter clothes on. This was the last 'proper' hill walk I did - way back at the start of November!(god help my legs when I start hill-bashing again later this month!). It's a bit of a bog-fest path carrying on for the full traverse, but it looks like it'd have been pleasurable with the snow covering at the moment.

A fine cairn up there eh, be good to sit in for a few drams

[CurlyWurly]

Good effort Kev, the weather looks amazing. Just hoping it stays that way for my week up there at the end of March!

[Graeme D]

I don't know, I reckon you look a bit like you are hungover in that summit shot

[LeithySuburbs]

lovely pics. There really is sooooooooooooooooo much snow still up that way. With a mild weekend forecast down here, looks like most of the Lowand snow will be gone by Monday. However, it's hung about much longer south of the Forth/Clyde line than I can remember. Last year it was almost t-shirt weather in mid-March. Still, I'm ready for spring now.

[mountain coward]

LOL - it's 'Come Bye' - at least the most shepherds/farmers say that - but maybe it's different up your way? Basically means go left...

Some lovely pics there although, even though I know Ryvoan Bothy quite well, I can't make it out in the pic. Must be 'cos I haven't seen it from above!

So you had a wild time with a 21-year-old and felt bad next day?

[HighlandSC]

Some lovely pics there although, even though I know Ryvoan Bothy quite well, I can't make it out in the pic. Must be 'cos I haven't seen it from above!

Took me a good stare but I got it eventually...

[kevsbald]

I look hungover??!! Fit a cheek!
MC - have you been to Specsavers? I think I prefer 'Come High'...

[gaffr]

Aye, paths are hard to find at this time of the year when they are buried under snow But you had the helpful ski tracks to follow .....these little fellows can be testing for the Munro boys!

[Wanderlust]

nice pics

[mountain coward]

I look hungover??!! Fit a cheek!
MC - have you been to Specsavers? I think I prefer 'Come High'...

Yes, of course I've been to Specsavers... that's how I found where my computer was!

[smirnie71]

Can't wait to have a go at this, my first planned Corbett in a couple of weeks time.. and the snowfall persists!
Thank goodness Crampons and ice-axes are available to hire and I'm going with an able friend. Thanks for a fabulous report!