walkhighlands

Wet, wild and windy. 3 out of 3 Cairnwells in June '17

Route: The Cairnwell Munros

Munros: Càrn a' Ghèoidh, Càrn Aosda, The Cairnwell

Date walked: 27/06/2017

Time taken: 4.5 hours

Distance: 15km

Having planned to do the Lochnagar 5 today, the weather had other ideas. Both myself and Ross are choked with the cold too.. So we decided to do something a bit less adventurous, checked the Munro book and found these 3 to be pretty close by. Read that the hills are pretty scarred from the ski set up and not very interesting, so didn't mind doing them in poor weather.

Set off about 10 past 12 from the Glenshee ski car park which was free to park in and had a cafe and toilets!

Within 45 minutes we reached the summit of Carn Aosda, nae view but a selfie was still required!
The wind was blowing and it was raining too, so back down the track to the Loch where we headed up and to the right, aiming towards Carn a' Gheoidh. We saw 8 mountain hares and 2 grouse on route and soon stumbled upon the summit at 14:25. Again, not a thing to be seen, so another quick picture and no hanging about.

We retraced our steps and avoided standing on various frogs and beetles who were enjoying the weather much more than we were! Once back on the main track we turned right and walked for about 30 minutes before getting to The Cairnwell summit at half past 3. :wink:

It was bloody baltic at the top to put it mildly. And still, nae view! We took shelter in the rather ugly concrete building (although rather glad it was there) and had a quick bite to eat and added an extra layer of clothing. It honestly felt like we were doing a Winter walk minus the snow. With windchill I'd imagine it was about minus 5 if not worse.
No selfie at the top this time, just get going and try to heat up as quickly as possible!

A couple of guys doing maintenance work passed us in their 4x4 buggy a few times, but other than that we were the only ones braving the elements today on the Cairnwell summits. Wouldn't have said no to a lift back down mind you... :lol:

We got back to the car at 16:40 which made it a 4 and a half hour walk.

As much as I don't like walking in poor weather, I'm facing the facts that to bag munros, it's got to happen every now and then!

It was still an enjoyable day out and it was a first time for both of us to reach more than 2 Munro summits in one day :thumbup: :D

Here's to the next one!

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Comments: 1


catorr


Activity: Mountain Walker
Pub: Clachaig Inn, Glencoe
Mountain: Aonach Eagach Ridge
Place: Glencoe
Gear: My thermals!
Member: None
Ideal day out: Anything with good views!!

Munros: 23
Islands: 5



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Statistics

2017

Trips: 1
Distance: 15 km
Munros: 3


Joined: May 02, 2015
Last visited: Jul 09, 2020
Total posts: 1 | Search posts