With the proximity of the Northern Cairngorms to Moray and the ski road to whisk the walker and climber to a high starting altitude it can be tempting to return time and again to the northern approaches of this magnificent high plateau. However, it is always worth the long drive round to the southern side to experience a different perspective, especially if there is quality accommodation on offer for the weekend.
The Moray Mountaineering Club successfully filled the Cairngorm Club’s hut, Muir Cottage, at Inverey. A fine hut it is, recently extended and luxurious and well placed for access to the Cairngorms and also to hills to the south of the Dee. Some were hoping for a weekend of deep powder and blue skies for getting the planks out and either ski touring on the Cairngorm plateau or heading to the pistes of Glen Shee but this was not to be. Neither was there any build up of ice for climbing in the remote corries of the Cairngorms but at least this weekend the weather was reasonably good on the tops. It was windy and the clouds drifted past on both days, lingering on some tops and missing others in a seemingly random pattern, but the hills that the cloud had left free of cover were blessed with expansive views and a sublime light.
Ali and Dan had a good day out on the Saturday, Dan’s first Scottish hill day after his recent Himalayan wanderings. It would appear that the altitude, or at least a certain aspect of a trip to Nepal, has gone to his head…
“Bed tea at the pre-arranged hour of 7am failed to materialise, but despite this Dan and his Turkish porter managed to be on the road by half eight. A brisk cycle up to Linn of Dee and then onto Derry Lodge. The porter diligently followed, but refused to carry any additional loads (note to self… reduce tips). At Derry Lodge we branched to the right up Glen Derry and then ascended Beinn a Chaorain Bheag from the bealach. By about 700m the porter was struggling a bit with the altitude… that’s typical of these porters from the Speyside lowlands. The walk to Beinn a Bhreac was a bit of a slog, but ultimately successful. An easy descent back to the bikes and then a gentle “roll” back to Muir Cottage. Porter demanded food and drink so took him to local shops. All happy at the end of the day (but no tip for the porter).”
Simon Jacyna combined his interest in old hilltracks and drove roads with bagging one of his remaining Tops. The summit of Little Glas Maol was reached after ascending Sron na Gaoithe (living up to its name, Windy Nose) and following the Monega Road over Monega Hill. Three ravens, lots of hares and several ptarmigan were spotted during the day.
Andy Brooks, Dougal, Joe and Sheila walked from Muir Cottage and headed a short way up Glen Ey before striking off up to the left. After a wee while they were joined by a soaring eagle which circled for a while before presumably considering the group just a little bit too fit and active for feasting upon and it flew off in a westerly direction to find some tastier morsel in upper Strathdee. The group continued on over the tops, spotting lots of hares and finding a strange wee howff at one point. They had some great views of Ben a Bhuird and Ben Avon in one direction and Dark Lochnagar in the other. The final summit of Morrone was reached and as they descended to the metropolis of Braemar the sky turned a subtle pink and the twinkling nocturnal lights of the town awoke to greet them.
Natacha walked up Glen Ey and continued on up to the summit of An Socach before traversing the tops of Sgor Mor and Carn na Drochaide back to Inverey. A good day with excellent views and more wildlife, this time stags and hares.
Evelyne also climbed Canr na Drochaide, by way of Carn na Criche and enjoyed beautiful views of Beinn a Bhuird and Ben Avon, with more hares and some grouse adding to the tally of weekend wildlife.
Ray, Drummond, Alan, Andy L, Ella and Dave W had a splendid day. Ray was chief route planner and Carn Bhac was the objective, by means of a devious route through some woods, apparently. The route took the group over Carn na Moine Carn Liath, tops “818” “718” and “801” (they really do have some imaginative names in these parts) and Geal Carn before the final summit was reached. No wildlife spotting was mentioned but this group is wild enough without the addition of any other mountain creatures.
The starlit night of Inverey provided a lovely backdrop for some St Andrews night fireworks. They were intended for the previous month’s meet in Inchnadamph but postponed due to the weather behaving particularly badly in the northwest in early November. This weekend, however, the skies couldn’t have been clearer. The two pyrotechnic technicians left the warm glow and good craic of the hut with their ice axes to dig the rocket launchers and other paraphernalia into the front lawn and were treated to a crystal clear starlicht nicht. Orion, the familiar stove top espresso maker, rose proudly in the southern sky while the Great Saucepan of Ursa Major appeared to be delicately suspended above the Cairngorms. The brilliance of Jupiter shone in the eastern sky like a miniature sun and the Milky Way soared overhead like a huge fuzzy strip light. The firework display was well received by the gathered masses and must have been a success owing to the lack of any serious injuries.
Little remains of Sunday activities from this weekend. The Club’s Book of Climbs records only one outing “A pleasant stroll up Glen Quoich” by Andy Brooks. Everyone left the hut, and I presume everyone enjoyed another day in or around the Eastern hills.
The next few weekends away will be out west where the broad granite plateaux of the Cairngorms are a distant dream. The Atlantic will be close at hand and we will be on the doorstep of such iconic mountains as An Teallach, Buachaille Etive Mor and Liathach. The club will then continue the tradition of jumping on a boat and sailing away to an island for the May Day long weekend. This time it will be the magical island of Rum.
Author: Joe, Photos: Andy