So we set our from the lay-by on the A9 near to Chuaich and we were soon on the track which runs alongside the aqueduct heading for Loch Chuich and Meall Chuaich. The mountain looked a fair distance away at that point and I'm no great fan of long road walks but we pressed on hoping the darkening cloud would lift later in the day.
- Meall Chuaich from the distance
We finally reached Loch Cuaich and followed the trail heading up by Allt Coire Chuaich past the private bothy and over the the burn, heading for the hill. It was there that we saw a potential obtacle on the way - one that we hadn't expected. The estate workers were out burning the heather!
- Setting the heather on fire!
The burning was happening very close to the path we were planning to take up the south-west ridge. So we edged past to the west of them very thankful that there was a slight breeze from the west, blowing the smoke away from us.
- The hills are on fire!
It seemed strange to us that our hill was "burning" whilst those around us were still deep in snow.
- Smoke and snow
The ascent up the ridge, although quite steep at first settled into a stready climb up towards Stac Meall Chuaich.
- Climbing towards Stac Meall Chuaich
At about 800 metres the path curved towards the east and then to the final climb up to the summit plateau.
- Towards the summit of Meall Chuiach
The summit plateau was surprizingly wet with hardly a drop of snow anywhere. It's a good big cairn up there and there are great views all around. The cloud wasn't far above our heads but we saw enough to be impressed by the views. And the sun even came out for a few moments.
- Summit cairn - Meall Chuaich
- Badenoch in the mist
There was plenty of snow on the hills around us but our hill was quite bare. It didn't look like a day when we were going to improve our winter skills very much!
- Gaick Forest from Meall Chuaich
And so we descended down the ridge noticing that the smoke was now blowing towards the north and thankfully still away from us! I have been in heather smoke and believe me it is hard on the lungs in big doses!
- The descent from Meall Chuaich
- On the descent from Meall Chuaich
Soon we were approaching the bothy again with views towards Dalwhinnie and The Fara beyond
- Dalwhinnie and The Fara
Then we had the long walk back beside the aqueduct. As we looked back the evening fires of Meall Chuaich were still burning!
- The evening fires of Meall Chuaich
