free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
It was with trepidation that I set out on Tuesday morning. Forecasts from the night before suggested 90km/h winds at the summit and having never climbed in those conditions, I was a little unsure of what to expect. I'd convinced myself that I'd be happy to get out there and see what the winds were like, and if necessary, turn back having failed to reach the summit.
Having set out at 6am - I decided on a whim to take the scenic route to Mount Keen, passing through the Cairngorms, past Glenshee and back down and around to Glen Esk where I would begin my climb. Blue skies dominated the landscapes as I drove through the ridiculously beautiful hills:
Outside Glenshee Ski Centre by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
Road in Cairngorms by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
After this slight detour, I finally reached the car par at Invernmark, swapped my boots and headed out - shortly after two other walkers who arrived just before me.
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
Here I was worrying about the wind and upon my first hurdle - a large gate - it swung open for me as if possessed by a friendly ghost. Greeted by an open area surrounded by hills, I carried on following a path which would lead all the way up to the summit.
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
The winds here were staggering, blasting directly towards me making it difficult to breath - not quite strong enough to blow me off my feet but I was already having second thoughts about the whole thing. Still, now I was on the track, I knew I'd be massively disappointed if I didn't see it out. So on I went, finding some respite at Invermark Estate.
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
From there, I could see the path winding up between a couple of hills which I was hoping would shelter me from the wind. As I headed up the path, the wind definitely gave me a much needed respite. At one point, it stopped dead - perfectly still - I was honestly so happy at that moment.
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
I hadn't really Mount Keen and it's summit until a few moments later when it began coming in to view. I passed the first sign of snow and shortly after saw Mount Keen rising up slightly in the distance.
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
As the summit came in closer, things began to get a little more tricky in the increasingly open area. The wind at this point was doing it's best to knock me off my feet but knowing I was less than a mile from the top was enough to push me on. It was slow going as the wind took it's toll, draining both breath and energy out of me. Towards the top, I was greet with the final rocky ascent - the winds kicked up just that little bit more and in a couple of instances, I had to steady myself by grabbing on to rocks as the wind kept fighting. I reached the top to be greeted by the girls who had gone ahead of me. We took some ridiculous summit photos and found shelter just below the trig point.
Smooth by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
I stayed up for 5 or 10 minutes after the girls had left, had a quick snack before taking a couple of shots of the beautiful views - including one almost magnificent panorama.
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
This wasn't quite the end of the story however, as I began to descend back to the car park I noticed a puff of smoke hanging in the air. I wasn't quite sure what it was a first but it became clear as I headed further down. Wildfire had spread up and over the hills below us.
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr
And finally, I rainbow greeted me as I got closer to the car.
Mount Keen - 22.02.2017 by
Ben Palmer, on Flickr