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Carn a'Mhaim

Carn a'Mhaim


Postby Left Behind » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:05 pm

Route description: Càrn a'Mhaim from the Linn of Dee

Munros included on this walk: Càrn a' Mhàim

Date walked: 23/01/2011

Time taken: 6 hours

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I'm quite new to this, bear with me. :lol:

I've only taken up hillwalking in september of this year and unfortunately I don't get much of a chance to hit the hills due to work commitments so I try to make the most of it when I can. Once a month is the going rate since I began, which isn't too shabby with all said and done. Certainly a marked increase on where I was this time last year!

Anyhoo, I may regale you with my previous exploits later, but I'll start with my most recent one. Carn a'Mhaim on sunday 23rd Jan 2011. My first munro. :)

I set off from Aberdeen at 6am, reaching the Linn of Dee at around 0730ish. After my first experience of the Linn of Dee composting toilet I set about getting my belongings together. Having scouted the route on the site I decided to bike the first stretch to Derry Lodge , so I popped the wheel onto my bike, secured it, got my bag onto my back and headed out through the woods with my headtorch shining. All was going peachy until I encountered some sheets of ice on the path, so my bike ride became a little more laboured as I had to get off and push quite regularly. Not to be dissuaded I pushed on and luckily the path became more suitable. Not far along the path, with the sky's lightening, I caught my first glimpse of my target, Carn a'Mhaim.

Image

I arrived at Derry Lodge just in time for the sun coming over the glens. Unfortunately I snapped no photos at this point. Ah, hindsight. Unsure where the usual spot for bike storage is, I secured mine to the side of the bridge over the Derry Burn and headed off on foot. The going was good, minus a few sections of ice determined to see me slip. Though the clouds were looking a tad manacing sitting atop the hill.

Image

Undaunted I crossed the Luibeg Burn at the ford.

Image

I was following a map and the route guide from this forum which I'd printed out, the guide said to follow the path as it spurs off directly up the hill. But I couldn't see any path, so I carried on down the path to Corrour for a little bit until I realised that I'd clearly went too far. Perhaps the path was obscured by a patch of snow, I thought. Cutting my losses I decided not to head back in an attempt to find the path and just tackled the hill in front of me. Clambering over heather and rocks I spotted a mountain hare and my first ptarmigan also, again no snaps unfortunately, both moved far too quickly once they saw me reaching for my camera. :D

Image

By now I'd pretty much resigned myself to having zero visibility at the summit. :( Though I did get a nice view back down to the Linn of Dee whilst on my way up.

Image

I eventually found the path, once I got my bearings and the going was easier after this. Eventually at about 1045 I arrived at the summit and sure enough, the views were terrible. I'd hoped for a glimpse of Devils Point at least but even that was hidden from me. This pic was taken as I was eating my lunch sarnies (a tad early!) and got a rare break in the clouds.

Image

I spent about 15 minutes at the top convinced that the clouds were just about to clear in a minute, minutes came and minutes went and the clouds still sat there quite content with their rogueish behaviour. :x

Realising I'd made reasonable time, It crossed my mind to head over the ridge to Ben Macdui. But I decided not to, save it for another day. Firstly because I doubted I'd be able to appreciate the views and secondly I didn't much fancy getting lost over country I haven't seen before. My map reading/compass skills are... better than the average Joe on the street, but certainly far off perfection. So I headed back down the way I came. I encountered another pair of walkers just after leaving the summit, other than that I saw nobody else while walking. The journey down was ok, I must get myself slightly thicker socks or a pair of liners though, my feet were shifting about quite a bit and rubbed a nice wee blister on my little toe. :roll: I grabbed my bike back at Derry Lodge and headed back to the car. I arrived at the car park just before 2pm.

My first completed mumro, hopefully more to follow. Any tips/critique appreciated. :)
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Last edited by Left Behind on Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Carn a'Mhaim

Postby monty » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:14 pm

Well done on your first munro Left behind,
I need to do this one soon so nice to see the conditions. Shame about the weather. It was much better on Saturday but i know that doesnt help :lol:
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Re: Carn a'Mhaim

Postby fingeez » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:22 pm

Nice report Left Behind :)

dont worry about not getting views from the top you'll get used to it haha
you'll appriciate them more when you do get them though :)

I tend not to bother retracing steps if i lose the path aswell :) i quite like just rambling up the old hillside with no path which i seem to end up doing more often than not :)

Look forward to seeing some more reports soon :D

Ross
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Re: Carn a'Mhaim

Postby davgil » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:27 pm

Congrats on your first Munro Left Behind...well done :)
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Re: Carn a'Mhaim

Postby Left Behind » Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:23 am

Thanks all. Hopefully more to come. :)
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Re: Carn a'Mhaim

Postby sloosh » Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:53 am

Here you go mate since you didn't get a peek when you were up there:

devils-point.jpg



Another benefit of hindsight as well (at least it was for me). About 100 yards up from the ford:

bridge.jpg



Well done on getting to the top of your first munro. :thumbup:
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Re: Carn a'Mhaim

Postby Merry-walker » Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:54 am

Looks a great walk. I'll be doing this when I go back up to Braemar :D
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Re: Carn a'Mhaim

Postby Alastair S » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:06 pm

davgil wrote:Congrats on your first Munro Left Behind...well done :)

Ditto from me :D

One of the great things about this site is the up to date conditions you can get from reports like this. I hope to do this one & Ben Macdui soon so its great to know what the current state of the track to Derry Lodge is like from a MTB'ing point of view. Hopefully in 2-3 weeks there will be even less ice about on this track. Cheers :D
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Re: Carn a'Mhaim

Postby Phil the Hill » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:24 pm

Yes, well done from me too. Failed to do this one when we were camping there in the summer. I think there was a Munro-baggers' path up from by the bridge you missed, but you're right to just head up if you miss it.

You need to do a few hills in the clag or you won't properly appreciate the stunning views when you do eventually get them :)

I find walking socks with padded toes and heels (e.g. Thor-Lo) work better than two pairs of socks at preventing blisters. Plus a well-fitting pair of boots of course.
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Re: Carn a'Mhaim

Postby rockhopper » Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:14 pm

well done especially given some of the weather you had - this is on my to do list hopefully in summer but from the Aviemore side :D
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Re: Carn a'Mhaim

Postby Graeme D » Wed Jan 26, 2011 11:36 pm

Good first TR - I was in this neck of the woods the day before heading to Sgor Mor. I think I won on the weather front mind you, but hey-ho. That's the hills for you. :shock:
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Re: Carn a'Mhaim

Postby malky_c » Thu Jan 27, 2011 1:13 pm

I like it - some fairly remote country and an interesting choice for a first Munro. Hopefully you get better luck with the weather in the future!
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