Sat 6 – Sun 7 December 2008

The accumulation of snow over the last month combined with the very icy conditions provided a real Christmas feel for the eleven members guesting at the Rucksacks Hostel in Braemar, with Jake Lee and Ruby backing the team up in his campervan.

Saturday morning saw Ali Erginsoy and Bob Macdonald set off ski mountaineering, which included some heather hopping to add that Scottish flavour to their day. Leaving the lay-by two and a half km south of the ski centre, they walked for thirty minutes into coire coolah before donning their skins and  making the ascent of Carn a’ Gheoidh via the south ridge.

Descending the northern slopes they skied over gully lines and heather to the eastern corner of Loch Vrotachan before skinning up to the top of Carn Aosda. Once there, they went down to the col before the final ascent of the Cairnwell and back down to the car to finish an eight and a half hour day.

The first challenge of the day for Evelyne Droege, Natacha Mihajlovic and Ray Harron was to put their gear on in the car park without falling over. Setting off from the Spittal of Glenshee, they went up to the Dalmunzie Hotel where they crossed the river and followed an icy track through Gleann Taitneanch. The slippery conditions meant that it was a balancing exercise to make the valley between Glas Tulaichean and Creag Easgaidh in two hours. The way up to Loch nan Eun was slow and painstakingly slow due to deep soft powder snow. Stopping for lunch by the Loch they elected to do Beinn Iutharn Mhor and return by the way they came. The summit was cold but with crystal clear visibility they had great views of the Cairngorms, Glenshee and the Blair Atholl hills. They completed their nine hour day walking out into a beautiful sunset.

Jake and Janice Taylor set off set off for Morrone (Morven), just south of Braemar and although they didn’t summit, they where impressed with the views and the Alpine sunset.

Dave McLean and Graeme Morrison parked just past Cray village on an icy road and in their words, “just skipped up to the top” of Mount Blair, having left most of their gear in the car. After taking in the perfect views of Tinto to the south and Ben Nevis to the north,  they went back to the car for lunch. From there they climbed Duchray Hill (Mealna letter) but not so fast. Graeme led the way through the crusty snow and Dave was so impressed he let him lead all the way to the summit. They arrived back to the car making it two hills in six and a half hours.

Drummond Beattie, Ella Grant and Fiona Duncan had a late start for Lochnagar. With deep snow encountered on their ascent, they where glad to take advantage of the steps cut by others. It was a popular route in good winter conditions. Returning in a circular route, they made the waterfall above Loch Muick it was dark. To relieve the trudge out they played “I spy”, not such a good idea in the dark, but it helped complete an eight hour day.

Sunday saw less enthusiasm that Saturday and only one group went on the hill:
Evelyne, Natacha and Ray drove down to a lay-by north of Spittal of Glenshee, Ray left car there and they drove back up to Glenshee ski centre in Evelyne’s car. From there, they walked up to the bealach between the Cairnwell and Carn Aosda and picked up the snow covered track to Carn a’ Gheoidh. It took 2 hours to get to the top of the hill in weather conditions less kind than the day before. Navigation from 750m became necessary due to thick clag. The wind also picked up during the day, cold and unpleasant in places, making lunch and other snack breaks rather brief. They continued south to Carn Mor, Creagan Beithe and then up Ben Gulabin before returning to the car following the path running from the bealach to the road. A good five and a hour day.

Dave Galloway

For more photos from this meet click here