The clocks went forward on 26 March and the forecast for the 27th was the change in the dreary March weather I had been waiting for - a forecast of dawn to dusk sunshine for the East coast.

I had been planning my next trip for some days now, whiling away the damp murky days, but enjoying the planning which, for me at least, is part of the fun of a good day out. I am always grateful to the other walkers who take the time to post reports on Walkhighlands that give me both the inspiration and the information for my adventures - and so this is my time to repay that with my first post!

Having looked at a few options I had settled on Carn Bhac as my next solo outing, combining some cycling with a reasonable walk, in the expectation that I would need to improve my hill fitness before taking on more challenging routes as spring/summer approaches. So it was that I travelled through Glenshee on a frosty Monday morning, spotting a herd of deer crossing the A93 ahead of me just before I came to the Glenshee Ski Centre, passing Cairnwell and Glas Maol on the way. The previous week had forecast snow showers and I had been checking the ski centre webcam for hill and road conditions. It seemed whatever snow there was had fallen further north.

Entering Braemar I was welcomed by the stone commemorating the event there, of raising the Jacobite standard in 1715



Onwards to the car park at Inverey, I arrived at 9.00am and unloaded the bike. As I set off there was one just other walker/biker getting ready to leave. The track was well maintained and after a bit of a hill, which got the blood pumping and the need to stop and remove my jacket, it was a very pleasant ride along Glen Ey. The bike makes the 5.5mile track seem relatively effortless and although I stopped for photos along the way it took just under 55 minutes of riding on my gravel bike. The profile for the route may help readers to know what to expect, as none of the other reports I have seen mention the hill!!:







The only problem with my photo stops was the effort of getting on and off the bike with a fully laden rucksack, ice axe etc

The gent who I had seen in the car park overtook me at one of the photo stops and I followed his progress, winding along the glen





I arrived at Altanour Lodge, with great views of An Sacoch to my left and the snow covered Bheinn Iutharn Mhor ahead . After leaving some kit and leaning my bike against the fence, I set off up the Alltan Odha path. It was a clear path up towards some grouse butts and, having read the other reports on Walkhighlands, it was good to be out on a frosty morning, traversing across the peat hags. There were a few occasions where I sank through the frozen crust and at a couple of points I diverted around some of the worst peat bogs. The quiet solitude was only broken by the cries of the grouse as I disturbed them, and they flew over the empty grouse butts. At one point the OS map has a 'stone' which I took a snap of:



Not sure of the significance - perhaps one of the readers can shed light on it?

The description on Walkhighlands of a rounded mountain deep in the wilds of the Mounth is very accurate and as I neared the top there was a cap of snow at the summit, just a thin layer making my winter kit redundant but always appropriate to carry at this time of year. The views on such a clear blue sky day were fantastic across to snow capped hills further west and north





After a quick lunch, and the only time I needed an insulated jacket as the wind had picked up, I headed back down from the summit. As the beautiful sunshine had lifted the temperature, the surface of the peat hags had thawed, there were a few boot sucking moments making me a little wary of where I stepped.

I met just one other soul heading up the hill as I descended and we past the time of day and I shared my jelly babies before returning to my bike. Just short of 6 miles/9.5km of walking, and 3 hours (minus 40 seconds) of moving time. I definitely need to work on my hill fitness!



As I readied myself for the ride back down the glen, someone else was making the most of the day, with a paraglider who I guess had come off Beinn Iutharn Mhor, hanging in the blue sky.



After one more photo of Beinn Iutharn Mhor I headed back down the glen, disturbing a herd of deer as I cycled towards the car park, taking 40 minutes on the return downward leg. Using a bike, rather than 11 miles there and back walking, is highly recommended!



Just a perfect start to summer time - and now to plan for my next adventure.