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Our first Munro was certainly memorable.

Our first Munro was certainly memorable.


Postby Jon and Jen » Fri May 04, 2018 7:41 pm

Route description: Mount Keen by Glen Tanar

Munros included on this walk: Mount Keen

Date walked: 02/05/2018

Time taken: 15 hours

Distance: 51 km

Ascent: 939m

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We had things to do in the morning so we decided a walk, a wild camp and then Mount Keen in the morning and home for tea. The plan was to walk in through Glen Tanar, camp somewhere near the mountain then go directly over the top and loop back via the mounth road. Things did not go to plan.... :crazy:

First it was google maps that tried to scupper the plan. We left Dundee in fine fettle and trusted in the confident sounding woman emanating from Jen's phone. Never again. After much cursing, car underside scraping and many u turns on gravel forestry roads and farm tracks we gave up on the satnav and got out the paper map. Back on track we arrived in the car park at Glen Tanar just as the last car was leaving. Casting off the dark clouds of frustration we set off with our big packs for the quick jaunt up Glen Tanar. We needed to make good time to allow for any mishaps so no pictures of the lovely walk through the forest. We stopped for a quick cup of tea in the half way hut and as we set off the wind started to pick up in the trees around us. I had checked the weather before we set off and was promised a 30% chance of rain around this time and decent conditions......

I'm starting to think that Jen's phone doesn't like me. :roll:

The rain started as we left the forest. Donning our waterproofs we carried on past the house at Etnach making a mental note that this was a good camping spot if things got worse. The wind kept slowly increasing and the rain became more horizontal as we pressed on. By the time we reached the lovely short grass at the foot of Mount Keen the wind was so strong that Jen was nearly blown over twice, there was no way we were camping here. Our last hope was the Shiel of Glentanar ruin or it was back to the shelter of the trees at Etnach, luckily we found the perfect spot to keep us protected from the wind. Getting the tent up was problematic as the tent pegs all appeared to be an inch longer than the available soil but with much cursing and repositioning I eventually got it up. (If a little twisted) We got into our bags and went to sleep hungry. Having only had the tent out in light rain before we were surprised to wake up lovely and dry after howling winds and heavy rain all night.

Our camp in the morning.

ImageIMAG0116 by jon jen, on Flickr

Morning greeted us with drizzle and after a portion of porridge fit for a five year old (thanks quaker) and a hike bar each we set off with our day packs towards the clag covered summit in the distance. Aware that conditions can get bad we were a bit cautious of carrying on but the summit cleared a bit as we got closer so we carried on.

ImageIMAG0121 by jon jen, on Flickr

The weather deteriorated fairly quickly after that picture was taken. Within a few minutes we lost sight of all surroundings as clag moved in. Five minutes after this picture was taken we started to see a bit of snow but it wasn't too bad.

ImageIMAG0120 by jon jen, on Flickr

We took the path to the left that traverses the top of the crags and we found a nice wee shelter to make a cup of tea and assess our situation. There was a strong wind behind us and we were getting flurries of snow.

ImageIMAG0122 by jon jen, on Flickr

We felt comfortable carrying on. There were a few patches of snow ahead but nothing major. Pretty soon the path became indistinct amid a boulder field and as we picked our way through the weather decided to test our mettle. Thick snow started blowing in on a strong wind behind us, visibility was poor and within ten minutes there was an inch of slippy snow covering the boulders. We were roughly half way between the summit and the identifiable start of the path back down. After a quick discussion we again decided to press on over the summit as it seemed easier than descending into the wind and snow. We picked our way up and through the boulder field to the trig point. It was slow going as everything was covered in snow. I tried to stand next to the trig point for a picture but was blown off twice and decided to give it a miss. :shock: The shelter cairn looked inviting amongst the alien landscape of snow and rock. Visibility was about 10 meters and just as we were about to clamber in to get the map out we got a welcome lull in conditions and we spotted the cairn at the top of the other route down. It was tough going on the steps, very slippy underfoot with about 2 inches of snow covering the path but the wind wasn't as bad now and as we descended the snow eased a little. We reached the Mounth path junction and turned into the wind and snow. Nope. We were not up for that, horizontal snow was not fun so we decided to take some time out in Glen Mark. Conditions began to improve as we descended.

ImageIMAG0125 by jon jen, on Flickr

We had a look at the map and decided to head all the way down to Auchcronie dreaming of a michelin starred burger van in the car park or a quaint tea shop with cream cakes and leather couches. Expecting an easy stroll in we were a bit non-plussed when we got to the crossing at Glenmark Lodge. :(

ImageIMAG0126 by jon jen, on Flickr

We investigated downstream for stepping stones to no avail and headed back upstream where we found a suitable spot, it wasn't ideal, slippy rocks and a raging torrent to leap at the end but I made it across without getting my feet wet. Jen decided on a strange approach. At the final leap (about 1.5 meters) she declared she couldn't make it, after a little encouragement from me she unleashed a leap worthy of the olympics. Strangely, she had chosen to leap in a star formation, head first into the heather on the bank. :clap: She clambered out with one leg in the river but somehow stayed dry. Definitely the highlight of the day we descended into Auchcronie, me singing Bowie's 'starman' in my head. :lol:

It was at this point we noticed the weather had improved. We had been looking for a crossing for so long we hadn't noticed.

ImageIMAG0127 by jon jen, on Flickr

We crossed the bridge as the other path was pooled with water and walked down past the castle where we encountered an incredibly arrogant horse. He was blocking the gate and didn't want to move. I don't like horses and getting up this close made me nervous but we managed to squeeze around him and over the gate. Noticing the sign on the other side of the gate said 'private' we realised we would have to head out the other route. We made our way down to the car park and set up on a picnic table. It was a handy spot for a bit of lunch so we heated up a tin of stewed steak and had a cup of tea as I waited for my hat and jacket to dry in the breeze. (My waterproof jacket is in the shop getting a new zip, I wore a Helly Hanson work jacket that was supposed to be waterproof, it was not :( Neither was the rain hat I got at mountain warehouse)

We set off back up the right path this time noticing signs offering tea but since we had just finished a cup and there was no cream cakes advertised we pressed on up the river/track back to Glenmark. Aware we were pushed for time we wasted none getting our boots off and rolling up our trousers to ford the burn. It was bloody cold. :shock:

We made good time on the ascent to the Mounth path and the weather had improved significantly, blue skies were enticing us toward the summit again since we had seen nothing of the view the first time. It didn't last long.

ImageDSC_0011 by jon jen, on Flickr

As we stood at the junction of the Mounth road debating if we should go up again the wind picked up from nowhere and black cloud rolled in above. :(

ImageDSC_0019 by jon jen, on Flickr

We set off along the Mounth path with snow, then sun, then snow, then snow and sun together. I tried to take a picture but it's not exactly clear.

ImageDSC_0023 by jon jen, on Flickr

The route was lovely, every now and again the cloud would clear offering wonderful views of the surroundings.

Looking back to glen Mark in sunshine. (Glen Mark, not us :wink: )

ImageDSC_0017 by jon jen, on Flickr

We made good time on the traverse and as we started to descend we were treated to a double rainbow. It was only a single by the time I got the phone out for a picture but this just about sums up our day on Mount Keen. Black cloud on the summit, blue sky all around.

ImageDSC_0032 by jon jen, on Flickr

We made it back to the tent at about 8pm and heated up a tin of chilli con carne and had two cups of tea before packing up and heading out. We debated staying the night due to the hour but knowing there was a big moon and with clear skies we thought it best to get out and let family know we were ok. As we set out back with our heavy packs Mount Keen mocked us with a plethora of blue blue sky and fluffy white clouds adorning the summit.

ImageDSC_0037 by jon jen, on Flickr

We set off at a clip back to the car but it was dark by the time we reached the halfway hut. We stopped for a cup of tea to fill our rumbling bellies and set off into the darkness of the forest. We had our LED lamp and spare batteries but we had forgotten to bring a screwdriver to change them, not knowing how long it would last and with the backup torch taking an AA battery (which we didn't bring) we decided to trust our night vision. It was tough going.

I had packed the map in my rucksacks main compartment thinking it was a simple walk back, complacency set in and as we neared the end of the walk we came to a junction I thought I remembered. Selecting the high road we marched on for a few more miles as my certainty slowly waned Jen's protests became louder. She eventually sat down and refused to move until I got the map out, as I did her phone found a signal and confirmed we were almost in Aboyne and had covered a few extra miles... :roll:

I hate Jen's phone...

Backtracking, we found our way back to the correct path and as we approached the bridge to the car park the moon put in an appearance on the horizon and lit our final few steps. It was 1am when we collapsed into the comfort of the car. :crazy:

All in all, we really enjoyed our two days out. Our first boots off water crossing, our first Munro, our first night in the tent in bad conditions and our first star lit walk. It was great and we can't wait to get out again. We have added some lessons learned to our checklist and also added a few items of gear to our must buy list. Headtorches are a must. More biscuits too. There was never a more welcome sight than the Mcdonalds on the way home.

Jen gets next pick and she has chosen Schiehallion for Monday. I'm hoping my legs will have recovered by then!
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Jon and Jen
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 278
Munros:37   Corbetts:7
Fionas:2   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:7   
Joined: Jan 17, 2018

Re: Our first Munro was certainly memorable.

Postby rodderss » Fri May 04, 2018 8:48 pm

Good report and well done .A day of difficult conditions.

Heading to mount keen on Sunday from Glen tanar on a bike n hike.
Was the path up snow free.hope so, or I'll get in trouble from my wife and her friend..haha
Should get a nicer day as forecast seems good for Sunday.
rodderss
 
Posts: 164
Munros:47   Corbetts:15
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Joined: Sep 2, 2016

Re: Our first Munro was certainly memorable.

Postby Jon and Jen » Fri May 04, 2018 9:20 pm

rodderss wrote:Good report and well done .A day of difficult conditions.

Heading to mount keen on Sunday from Glen tanar on a bike n hike.
Was the path up snow free.hope so, or I'll get in trouble from my wife and her friend..haha
Should get a nicer day as forecast seems good for Sunday.


There was a couple of patches of persistent snow near the summit but all the stuff that fell on us had gone by the time we left. Watch out for deer on the way back. They were down at the riverside when we walked out and were bounding across the path right in front of us. On a bike you might come a cropper if you're going fast.
Jon and Jen
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 278
Munros:37   Corbetts:7
Fionas:2   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:7   
Joined: Jan 17, 2018

Re: Our first Munro was certainly memorable.

Postby mrssanta » Sat May 05, 2018 11:58 am

Goodness that was an adventure for your first Munro. Well done you on keeping going and even extending your walk to an Epic!
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mrssanta
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Location: north yorkshire moors

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