Lochnagar, the final Arthur. 02/08/2021 19km 1175m 6.30h
The club returns to Kate`s Rucksacks B/H in Braemar, for Billy`s final Arthur. Mount Lochnagar.
The team consists of, Claire, Kirsty, Mike and Kenedy, who will do all 5 of the “White Mounth Munros”. While Billy and I after the celeb and mandatory photoshoot on Lochnagar, will take the sedate route down Glas Allt glen to view the waterfalls, Loch Muick and the royal lodge, then walk back to the car.
The Sunday Monday meet coincided with good weather. An early start finds us in Loch Muich cp by 730am. Our route crosses a flat basin of long grass as a mothergoose wi kids saunter across our path heading for the loch. A bridge then buildings and trees. We climb a good path beside the Allt na Guibhsaich, winding around the side of the Corbett Conachcraig. Using the 50walkin 10rest routine. We stop for a break where the trail splits and its here that the midges catch up wi us. Left turn, and down now a stepped path leads up to a bealach atween the Munro and the viewpoint o Meilkle Pap@980m. Enroute the team troop over to view the cairn to climber Bill Stuart 1953. I`ve bin there and up the Pap with Big Alan, years ago. having claimed the Corbett first. Though this side of the mountain is new to me, the corrie below is not, though noo I couldne make out the route we did back then. As the team head up to climb the Pap, I cross the “ladder” boulder field and top of Cuidhe Crom, waiting before a final rise for the team join up. A short break here, then up for Cac Carn Mor @1150m. Then over a flat area reaches the boulder top of Lochnagar (Cac Cam Beag@ 1155m) twin cairns and the party is on.. Some place, some view, the whole of Deeside spread out below us, and Lizzie there too.
Congrats and photos done, we part company. The Mounth team are in good hands as they head for Bhoidheach and the Stuic et all, as Billy and I drift down the glen and meet the burn. The glen broad at first, narrows where the path joins the burn. We meet folk, three young lassies, thinking they were on Broad Cairn. Nae map or compass, I gie them my map, point out where they are now, route to Lochnagar and how to get back down. kids, absolutely full of energy an no fear, but then it was a clear sunny day. A female couple who knew where they're going, gie us their chat afore movin on. A wee break on meeting the burn,
Cross a bridge and find cloudberrys a first for me, routine for Billy. A near header viewing the falls caused me to pay more attention to the path and not the view. Further down a fence and planted trees herds us away from the now sizeable burn, to a pine forest. Large boulders here indicates rockfall from Craig Moseen. We hit the loch road missing out on the royal lodge, Plenty folk here path walking. The way back was easy enough, saw the goose family lochside enjoying life, thoughts rose that they could well dress the royal table someday soon. Drove the back road past the royal gates, but no invite. So back to our lodging shower and shave for dinner @ eight.
Umpteen congrats Tues, Billy and I went strait home, Mike was manoeuvred into the Cairnwell three. So a good haul great company an thanks tae all wa made it a guid w/e.