Early morning long walk - test of fitness at Glenshee

[Petr Dakota]

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Looking forward to go to the mountains I wake up very early morning ( or rather to say shortly after midnight - at 01:00 ), despite the fact that previous day I wake up at 00:15 for very early start at work and long shift then and also short sleep - 2 hours only. It was a week day - wednesday and it always means for me to be back home up to 16:30 as the latest time. Weather forecast for East looked better ( like usual - mostly is better weathe there, but i mostly preffer the West with the nice shaped mountains...) I decided for Glenshee and try to do 3-5 Munros there, depends of the time and conditions ( weather and mine )

Good morning Glenshee !

Parked here, just behind Spittal of Glenshee. There is a plate shows "No parking beyond this point without permission from Dalmunzie Hotel".

After parking I started my walk exactly at 5:00 following the road to Dalmunzie Hotel and then kept left to entry Glen Lochsie. I had not Bike to cut the time for the distance on the beginning and then on the end in the long valleys ( planned way back via Gleann Taitneach ), but I was determined for the long walk to enjoy more of views around without watching the track for safe bike-driving...proudly Walker ! Nice morning's refreshment in silent peaceful area with a lot of Deers and Hare everywhere around

The walk along the stream was boggy in some areas, but not so bad as I expected. Enjoyable mornings views around and not wind in the valley.

Ruined house after 5 km of walk, overcome the stream and then ascent up - to reach Glas Tulaichean - 1st Munro on my route ( still far away from this point ).

Ascending the first ridge and looking back to the valley...

My shadow walked along me, it was the one and only company of the day, even very silent, but keeping the same pace with me

Shortly after this point - higher on the ridge, the weather changed: very strong and cold wind, dark clouds, mist and hail shower forced me to remove jacket from my rucksack...no visibility around. There I found how "faithfull" and "loyal" is my shadow..."This is not for me ! I will not follow you in this weather conditions, I love sunshine only" it was his last words to me, before he definitely disappeared...

The summit of Glas Tulaichean, misty around...no views

Fortunately the weather changed again shortly after a little descent from Glas Tulaichean and I was able to see my direction. This is Carn an Righ opposite, my 2nd target...just down and up ! ( then I reached the summit opposite after 47 mins from here )

Climbing the Carn an Righ and looking back to the Glas Tulaichean

Carn an Righ summit, 2nd Munro on my way.

Descending the Carn an Righ and looking at the ascent opposite. I chose this steepy way instead the path back and around ( for all my Munros of the day exclude the 1st one ) as i wanted try my fitness

Looking back to the Carn an Righ and the steepy descent opposite

Munro no.3 - Beinn lutharn Mhor summit. Very strong and cold wind here followed me partly on the ridge from this summit to the descending end upon Glen Ey, some hail shower and light snowing again...

An Socach - my next target, looks monumental

Wonderful view of Glen Ey, the valley from Inverey is mostly used for access to this area

Even in this case I chose very steepy ascent - straight up instead the usual path around via more gentle angle...Climbing up and looking back to the Beinn lutharn Mhor

The angle of this ascent through rough terrain tested my fitness with no mercy...result ? Critical ! catching my breath often

The summit of An Socach - Munro no. 4 and final for the day

View from the top of An Socach towards south, there is my planned way back...still far away from here

Looking back to the An Socach

Nice narrow Glen with a stream - my planned connection to the Gleann Taitneach

Atleast some of the many Deers

Here is the connection to the Gleann Taitneach, the long valley back to the start point

Looking back to the valley

It was a great day, enjoyable long walk in the beautiful nature. I was enjoying so much the beauty around that I missed the small bridge over the stream before Dalmunzie Hotel...I still followed the wide trail until I saw there is not any bridge to get me over the river as my car is overside. Because of the limited time, I did not follow the road up to the end to Spittal of Glenshee, I could must walk back from there to my car, I decided to cross the river instead even it costs me wet boots, socks, trousers and gaiters...some refreshment on the end of the trip before driving back home I got to the parking area at 14:23, full of great memories and fresh feelings...

[Petr Dakota]

Some more photos:

[basscadet]

Wonderful report - Really enjoyed
been a while since I was in that neck of the woods, but used to frequent there regularly so good to relive the memories.

[Petr Dakota]

Wonderful report - Really enjoyed
been a while since I was in that neck of the woods, but used to frequent there regularly so good to relive the memories.

Thanks glad that you enjoyed

[The Rodmiester]

Great report Petr, wish I had joined you, not that far from me. Looks a really nice walking day. Know the area quite well, wild camped with my Grandson at Loch nan Eun, wonderful place for the tent. You purist, walking from the old Spittal Hotel site, I'm happy to pay my dues at the hotel and drop in for a pint after Another long day, good effort my friend, now off to read your report again

[Petr Dakota]

Great report Petr, wish I had joined you, not that far from me. Looks a really nice walking day. Know the area quite well, wild camped with my Grandson at Loch nan Eun, wonderful place for the tent. You purist, walking from the old Spittal Hotel site, I'm happy to pay my dues at the hotel and drop in for a pint after Another long day, good effort my friend, now off to read your report again

Thank you Rod Greeting from Monifieth - just behind your corner

[Guinessman]

Thanks for that report, got my eyes of this route for early August but I think I might use the bike up Gleann Taitneach.

[Petr Dakota]

Thanks for that report, got my eyes of this route for early August but I think I might use the bike up Gleann Taitneach.

Thanks, the bike can be usefull for almost 7 km on the beginning and then return of the route, so it can help you cut the walk for 14 km in total. Hope you will enjoy the beautiful area

[Alteknacker]

Nice one, Petr. I don't know this area at all, so it's good to get an idea of unknown places.

I love the early starts also; though my motivation for getting back reasonably early is usually either a long drive, or the need to visit a building of cultural, historical and architectural interest at the end of a long day...

[PerthAlly]

Well done again Petr!

You're a munro junkie

Not had my boots on for 2 months.

Combination of work/crap weather/golf course

[Petr Dakota]

Nice one, Petr. I don't know this area at all, so it's good to get an idea of unknown places.

I love the early starts also; though my motivation for getting back reasonably early is usually either a long drive, or the need to visit a building of cultural, historical and architectural interest at the end of a long day...

Thanks You have the right reasons for the early starts
I did another long walk today ( report later ), started very early: woke up at 00:05, left home at 01:15, started walk at 04:13 and finished at 12:19 28.3 km / 3 Munros

[Petr Dakota]

Well done again Petr!

You're a munro junkie

Not had my boots on for 2 months.

Combination of work/crap weather/golf course

Thanks Ally
Hope you will use your boots soon

[Alteknacker]

...I did another long walk today ( report later ), started very early: woke up at 00:05, left home at 01:15...

Wow, that is cranking up the pain! I look forward to reading your WR. My earliest to date is 00:20. You're clearly a masochist..