An Socach - An Unexpected Gem in Glen Shee

[jupe1407]

I hadn't intended going out at all this weekend, but a sudden turn to an acceptably clear forecast, albeit accompanied by ferociously cold winds at the tops meant a change of plan, which is a more impressive way of saying heading up a hill was marginally preferable to dossing around the house all day

The forecast was for a clear morning, with poor weather coming in later afternoon. I woke up at 4:30am, had a bit to eat and headed for Glen Shee. The roads were better than expected and i was well up Glen Isla by 5:30am, so i stopped off at backwater dam as the stars were still out.

Backwater Dam, Glen Isla

After faffing around here for a very cold half hour, I headed off through Glen Shee and soon arrived at the small layby south of the gate into Baddoch Cottage. It was absolutely freezing, and my fingers were hurting just tying my bootlaces. I set off shortly after 7:00am, through the gate and following the access track to the cottage, which looks to be some sort of holiday cottage now. It was empty anyway.

Baddoch Cottage

Back towards Glen Clunie

I headed on past, following the fine track up the glen. After around 1.8 miles comes the burn crossing, at which i faffed around trying to find a crossing point Eventually i found one, and got across without any amusing slips or disasters. A rougher path heads up the hillside from here. It gains height fairly quickly. My legs were pretty stiff after a spin class the night before and I wasn't hugely enjoying this part. The skies were dull, it was freezing and I was starting to get the "Can I be ars*d?" today question.

Heading to Socach Mor

I stopped at the Socach Mor cairn for a breather after taking a wee while to reach it. The ground was a mix of frozen turf and solid snow, though I'd imagine this bit is extremely boggy in spring/summer.

View from the Socach Mor cairn

Swapping the walking pole for the ice axe, and donning thicker gloves, I headed along the gentle rise to approach the initial, and steep-looking ascent of An Socach itself.

An Socach

My laziness in failing to invest in crampons resulted in me spending 20 minutes cutting steps in the steep and solid snow. The sun had come out to brighten my mood and I was nice and toasty after the step-cutting. After the initially steep section, the slopes ease slightly and it's a fairly easy walk up to the massive summit plateau. The sun stayed out for the rest of the walk, but it was absolutely bitter, with strong winds dropping the temperature to what felt like around -10. The views however were fantastic.

Beinn a'Ghlo in the distance

Carn a'Gheoidh, Carn Bhinnein and Glas Tulaichean

Glas Tulaichean (zoomed)

I didn't stop long at the first cairn, I'd had the gloves off for about two minutes and was absolutely baltic I headed off along the plateau. It's a fair distance to the summit cairn at the far end, and the strong wind was bitingly cold, and in my face the whole way. It took around 40 minutes to reach the summit shelter (also visited the wee cairn beyond - just in case ). The views were still glorious, despite the cold.

Back to the 938m Top

I'd been looking forward to a wee shelter to eat my cheese pieces, however it was not to be

Snow-packed Summit Shelter Cairn

It was too cold to hang around so i set off fairly quickly, looking forward to descending out of the wind. Though another photo-stop couldn't be helped.

Beinn Iutharn Mor and it's wee brother

Glas Tulaichean, Mam nan Carn and Beinn Iutharn Beag

The walk back was considerably quicker, partly due to wind assistance, but mainly due to the fact that it was absolutely freezing, and I wanted a sheltered spot to have my piece. I headed back along the plateau and carefully descended, soon picking up the steep section where i'd previously cut steps. Rather than gingerly work my way down the steps, I opted for a combination of bumsliding, using the axe as a brake. It wasn't bonny but was good fun and made quick work of the descent. Having seen no-one all day I met a couple of guys at different stages on the way up, I hope they enjoyed the hill as much as i did.

Steep section

Back towards Socach Mor

The rest of the walk was a relaxed meander to the Socach Mor cairn, then down to the vehicle track. A last shot back up the hill was impossible to resist though, and a big contrast to the dullness of the early morning ascent.

Socach Mor and An Socach - A slight contrast to the ascent!

After that I wandered along the vehicle track, bumped into another couple of walkers and found shelter to finally eat my cheese piece

All in all, this was a thoroughly enjoyable winter walk, especially as i hadn't been expecting much on the way up. It's probably fairly bland in summer, but this makes a tremendous winter walk.

[rockhopper]

nice one, jupe - the forecast certainly looked better for the east yesterday - great photos as ever, esp the first one of the stars - cheers

[danielarn]

We were on Beinn a Ghlo yesterday and had similar conditions! Great views but nippy wind! Great snow conditions too!

[jupe1407]

nice one, jupe - the forecast certainly looked better for the east yesterday - great photos as ever, esp the first one of the stars - cheers

Thanks Rockhopper

It did look rather grim further west, and the high 'gorms looked a bit foreboding as well.

[jupe1407]

We were on Beinn a Ghlo yesterday and had similar conditions! Great views but nippy wind! Great snow conditions too!

Beinn a'Ghlo looks pretty special in winter. I did it in blazing heat in July. It looked fantastic yesterday (from a distance). Hope you had a great day!

[litljortindan]

Good set of pictures to inspire a visit. On a warmer day for me though!

[Collaciotach]

Some great photos

I did this one at midnight in July last year , sure looks different today

[Huff_n_Puff]

That first photo is just amazing - the rest are good too Enjoyed this hill in winter conditions many years ago - although without such a ferocious wind. Thanks for bringing back some lovely memories

[Graeme D]

Good stuff as ever JP. Love the pink tinge to some of the early shots on the walk in. I did this one around this time of year too on a similar sort of day. Definitely a hill best walked in winter I think.

[Fife Flyer]

Nice one JP, photo's up to your usual high standard

We were up there March last year & it wasn't overly warm then either, I ended up down a waste deep snow hole, much to my colleagues amusement of course

Rather than get crampons JP, have a look on EBay for micro spikes, got mine for £9.99 + postage, do a great job and much easier to fit. I have crampons and still to try them out

[jupe1407]

Some great photos
I did this one at midnight in July last year , sure looks different today

Thanks Collaciotach. I've been toying with the idea of a moonlit mountain walk myself, just need to figure out where!

That first photo is just amazing - the rest are good too Enjoyed this hill in winter conditions many years ago - although without such a ferocious wind. Thanks for bringing back some lovely memories

Thanks

Good stuff as ever JP. Love the pink tinge to some of the early shots on the walk in. I did this one around this time of year too on a similar sort of day. Definitely a hill best walked in winter I think.

It was a lovely morning, bit cold though But definitely a good winter walk, though might revisit in summer with Anne.

Nice one JP, photo's up to your usual high standard

We were up there March last year & it wasn't overly warm then either, I ended up down a waste deep snow hole, much to my colleagues amusement of course

Rather than get crampons JP, have a look on EBay for micro spikes, got mine for £9.99 + postage, do a great job and much easier to fit. I have crampons and still to try them out

Excellent idea Martin. The internet is being scoured I remember your report last year. Didn't you have to come back due to the river being in spate?

Good set of pictures to inspire a visit. On a warmer day for me though!

Thanks

[Beaner001]

Great pictures Jupe, can I ask what type of camera you use? All your photos seem to be top notch
Well done

[BlackPanther]

Fantastic. This is a winter hill and on a good day views are spectacular. I did it in similar conditions a couple of years ago and spent far too much time wandering around the summit area. Thanks for bringing back memories

[jupe1407]

Great pictures Jupe, can I ask what type of camera you use? All your photos seem to be top notch
Well done

Thanks Beaner. I now use a Canon 6D (I was using a 70D until 3 or 4 weeks ago). It handles noise and higher ISO really well. I was using an ancient EF 28-80mm standard lens with it.

Fantastic. This is a winter hill and on a good day views are spectacular. I did it in similar conditions a couple of years ago and spent far too much time wandering around the summit area. Thanks for bringing back memories

Thanks BP. Coincidentally, I used your report as inspiration when looking for a near-ish single hill. I spent far less time on the summit plateau than you guys though!!

Brilliant day out though, thoroughly enjoyed it.

[PeteR]

Superb photos JP......as others have rightly said.

I need to return to this hill, as the day I did it a few winters back I ended up clagged in for most of it, so missed any views.

It's also the site of my only hill walking injury to date......a eventual lost fingernail occasioned by a slip on some ice on the plateau and punching a rock as I fell "Ouch", I said. So I need to be putting that right somehow.