Glenshee Three - Expectations Exceeded

[atseacliff]

Stressed out at work and having got to the middle of May without augmenting to my Munro list I decided that I needed to get out come hell or high water. I'd planned to head West but the weather forecast suggested further East offered the best chance of keeping the waterproofs in the rucksack. Selected the Cairnwell et al because (a) it sounded straight forward, (b) would give me an opportunity to test out fitness levels or lack of it and (c) I must admit I was keen to get over 10 percent of Munros climbed on my Munro Map.

Weather on arrival at Glenshee looked like it could go either way but as it turned out I was extremely fortunate to enjoy good weather throughout the walk. After toilet stop, coffee and tray bake at Ski Center (how civilised!) headed up the The Cairnwell. I suspect that the correct path was further south as the one I selected soon petered out and I ended up doing an ungracious zig zag to the bealich. Interesting (for me anyway) discovery - I'm training for a half marathon at present and thought I was in reasonable shape however climbing stretches totally different muscle groups! Anyway The Cairnwell summit is as grim as others have documented however the views from the top were excellent today. You will have to trust me on this because I forgot to take any photos at this point.

Then headed off along the broad erroded bealich towards Carn Aosda and then West towards Carn a Gheoidh. I quickly got away from the Glenshee ski mess and enjoyed a peaceful and isolated high level stroll with just a small incline to the summit. Lunched at the summit of Carn a Gheoidh. Asside - If any one lost a red sock there recently I can assure them its still there on the end of a stick! On my return a lone fly fisherman could be seen at the far end of Loch Vrotachan.

Returning to the Cairnwell/Carn Aosda summit I headed up the path to Carn Aosda. At this point I remembered that I had promised myself I would write my first Walk Highland report and whipped my camera from the bag.

The Cairnwell from path to Carn Aosda

Carn a Gheoidh from path to Carn Aosda

Carn Aosda is every bit a mess as I had been led to believe but that didn't seem to matter today. The sun was shining, I wasn't hunched over a keyboard writing a report and instead was being treated to wonderful views up the Old Military Road and on to the Cairngorms.

North From Summit of Aosda

After taking all this in I rather stupidly tried the direct route down to the car park - not recommended. Eventually did the sensible thing and picked a less steep option making life easier for myself into the bargin.

Apart from the fisherman didn't see anyone on the walk which was an added bonus - just the odd mountain hare and small bird. An excellent day out.

[Ian Johnston]

You picked the right side of the country given the weather of the last few days!

It's good to hear you had a good day; folk seem to do this walk on a poor day, for reasons which I can understand given the ski debris. I've climbed this group several times and have had two amazing days; the first time was a winter day when the evening sky was bright green - the only time I've seen quite that colour, and on another day in Spring when out with my son-in-law and a small pool to the west of the Cairnwell summit was absolutely writhing with frogs.

I'm guessing that you didn't continue from Carn a'Gheoidh to Carn Bhinnein as there's no photos; it's a great viewpoint!

Kind Regards

Ian


http://mountainandseascotland.blogspot.com/

[atseacliff]

You are right - I didn't continue on to Carn Bhinnein which was remiss of me given the weather - next time I guess.

[ChrisW]

Good stuff atseacliff - always nice to get out and take a risk on the weather and have it pay off...excellent

[Ian Johnston]

You are right - I didn't continue on to Carn Bhinnein which was remiss of me given the weather - next time I guess.

That's just it! There's always a reason to go back to a hill!

Kind Regards




http://mountainandseascotland.blogspot.com/