Mount Battock and snow

[Merry-walker]

Santa had come early this year and brought me new walking poles, so with the bright sunny day ahead we set off on our way over to Glen Esk to climb Mount Battock. I'd put on 4 layers of clothing as the weather was cold but as time went by, these layers came off until I was just in my thermal vest.

The tracks are very good here although one or two didn't seem to appear on my map.

I wondered whether there would be any snow on Battock although I could see the snow on the higher mountains way off in the distance.

Not long before Wester Cairn appears. Very rocky place....

Just after the dip, the snow appeared and with the electric fence being locked I had to crawl under it. There were foot prints in the snow but we didn't see another soul the whole time. Shortly after this, Mount Battock came into view, and so did more snow.

After about another 30-40 minutes, me and Mez reached the top!

I really love hill walking especially when seeing the beautiful views, but I still get a slight panicky feeling, briefly, when I think that I am out there on my own. So after taking quick pictures and a short video shot, then cramming a buttie and cuppee down, we headed back.

We were tired but happy and after a short stop at Edzell for squiffy juice, we were home in no time.

I put together a short video, the music was in my head the whole way on this climb. I still haven't got the hang of the video camera (still have my Braemar stuff to put together). Hope you enjoy it.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNmgy-MpUbY[/youtube]


Happy hills xx

[kinley]

Snowy hills

Lochnagar looks very white

Nice report - need to take a trip this way and have a look

[Merry-walker]

[gammy leg walker]

Nice wee video merry-walker,looks like you and Mez had a fine day,no what you mean when you say you get nervous now and again when you are out by yourself,same happens to me,usually got my 2 dogs for company,and end up talking to them,for most of the day

[mike law]

Hi merry-walker,

Nice report, nice pictures, nice...... winter is just around the corner.

[2dalmatians]

Great report MW and pictures/video. Mez looked like she was having a fab time. It's funny how being on your own in the middle of nowhere can be a little unnerving, although the strange thing for me is I get affected more by it when there is clear visibility and you can see for miles (as opposed to in the cloud with less than 50 metres)...and like glw I talk to the dogs all day! lol

[Jockstar]

Thought your pictures were really brill. So clear and capturing the day. I think you ned to get mez trained to do the piccie part as its a shame not to see the author!

Wish I had your clear skies as for the 3rd week running mist came in and didn't get the pictures this week from the top of Schiehallion.

[mountain coward]

Yeah I also have to admit to feeling uneasy quite often when I'm Munroing on my own. Another person like me who strips down to their undies when they get hot on a walk!

Some of those photos are great - especially no.28

[Merry-walker]

cheers everyone

I'll have to join up with others I think

[alanmurray]

Video was great and pictures sharp.
Great when you get a clear crisp day - that's why hill walking is so addictive.
I've only hill walked solo once - in Skye, in the evening. Great feeling going up, although as it was getting near darkness, and coming down, became quite stressed , and further panic set in when I lost my way and came to a vertical impassible drop. Walked a little on my own on Ben Nevis when I needed a bit of space.

[Merry-walker]

and came to a vertical impassible drop.

OMG very scarey, thanks for your comments Alan

[JB likes a beer]

Hi MW,great wee video and pics looks like you had a good day

[hooker]

lovely pics & vid, i know what you mean about feeling a bit nervy sometimes it happens to me now and then but hey its great being up there. it certainly looked as though you both enjoyed it. looking forward to reading about your next munro.

[Merry-walker]

Thank you, i loved it Hooker, dunno where to go next though

[rockhopper]

Some lovely cloud formations there MW I can sympathise on the feeling cold issue - trouble is I tend to start with many layers and then add more as I get cold very easily and have raynauds. The feeling of freedom in wide open spaces as you had on this trip just can't be beaten - well done