After picking up members (and guests) in Elgin and Forres we deviated from our normal pick-up route, via Nairn and Inverness, to instead pick up members in Grantown on Spey and Tomintoul. As well as being very scenic, the drive over the Lecht road and along the road from Corgarff to Crathie was ‘interesting’ in a large bus, especially the crossing of the bridge at Gairnshiel. On reaching Deeside we continued on to Braemar where we dropped off George before continuing onto the Glenshee Ski Centre.

To quote Heavy, “with really bright sunshine and lots of the snow gone, the moors and Cairngorms in the distance looked magic. We were soon at Breamar and seeing a cloudy Lochnagar still full of snow, the rivers were full of melt water and looking very impressive and the trees and beauty of this area is still a place of great memories.”

Eighteen out of twenty attendees disembarked at the Glenshee Ski Centre before the bus continued on, with Heavy still aboard, to park up for the day at the Spittal of Glenshee.

From Braemar, George made his way along the Linn of Dee road towards Mar Lodge. After crossing Victoria Bridge, George crossed through the Mar Lodge estate before ascending Creag Bhalg, a 666m Graham with much deep heather. George then returned back to Braemar in time to watch the Aberdeen v Inverness Caledonian Thistle cup final.

From the Glenshee Ski Centre, three groups set off to walk through to the Spittal of Glenshee.

DavidBD and Dale climbed Glas Maol and Creag Leacach. DavidBD’s account of the walk follows: “Ascending the bulldozed track near the lower ski tows, Meall Odhar was traversed on the South side, crampons fitted at 800m, cloud soon entered, a compass bearing agreed and the fortunately hard surfaced snowy dome of Glas Maol crossed in a strong but unusually dry cold West wind, until the welcome sight of a just visible top layer of stones of the shelter at Little Glas Maol allowed a bearing to be estimated for the South West ridge to Creag Leacach. Emerging from the cloud at 1000m only a few of the iron fence posts marking the ridge were to be seen above the snow.

Approaching Creag Leacach

The strongest winds, probably around 80 mph, were encountered at the summit of Creag Leacach, making progress much less swift but as irregular as that of the three white mountain hares seen scampering amongst the now exposed boulders.

Toward Carn an Daimh and Spittal of Glenshee

Continuing over the lower tops, we descended through an area of burnt and still burning heather at 500m to arrive, well aired and fumigated, at the coach parked at the Spittal of Glenshee one hour before departure time.”

The other two traverse groups, consisting of Andy, RayH, RayN, Mark, Ros, Malcolm, Jerry, Tom, Des, Steve and Denise walked through to the Spittal of Glenshee via the Cairnwell, Carn a’Gheoidh and Ben Gulabin. The ascent of the Cairnwell was short and steep.

Ascent of Cairnwell

From the top of the ski tow to the summit of Cairnwell the group of nine were blasted by strong gusts. The walk to the col was mostly devoid of snow but beyond the col it was back onto snow, with RayH breaking trail up the initial section.

RayH leading the way

After visiting Carn nan Sac, both groups continued on to the Carn a’Gheoidh summit.

Mark and Ros approaching summit of Carn a’Gheoidh

From the summit of the second Munro, the group dropped down to pick up the good track leading out to Carn Mor. During the ascent of Carn Mor, several members visited the Invercauld Estate Walker’s Bothy. The bothy provided some much needed respite from the persistent wind and was a great spot for lunch.

Bothy

Bothy

After summiting Carn Mor, the group descended to the base of Ben Gulabin. After also ascending Ben Gulabin, the group returned to the Spittal of Glenshee in time to catch the second-half of the cup final.

From the Spittal of Glenshee, Bob, Fiona, David, Chris and Fiona set out to ascend the three Cairnwell Munros – Carn Aosda, Carn a’Gheoidh and the Cairnwell. Deep snow was encountered with one of the group becoming temporarily stuck in a pocket of deep snow with a burn flowing underneath.

Last but not least, Heavy set out to ascend Ben Gulabin. Heavy’s account follows: “I decided to make use of the wind and walked along the lovely Gleann Taitneach in the sun and gusty wind.

View on the walk in

This is not the way the book says but it was a bonnie walk, I broke up through a wee Corrie up steep slopes. The ground was bone dry in the wind and some burning of the heather was going on neighbouring hills. That would not be easy to control in these winds.

Summit of Ben Gulabin

I stopped for a healthy lunch just below the ridge out of the wind and enjoyed my healthy salad and saw in this wee coire a fox and some cubs enjoying the sun nearby but too far for a photo. The great thing of going alone you can see so much more and by going off the normal route there is so much wild life. The white hares were everywhere.” Heavy then enjoyed the cup final in the Spittal of Glenshee hotel.

On the way back the bus stopped, for circa 45 minutes, at the Fife Arms in Braemar. A great day out despite the wind.

Author: Andy (with content from Heavy and DavidBD)
Photos: Andy, Heavy and DavidBD