The Art of Rain (Mitchell D. Wilson)

Falling down, pooling up, 
Out of the sky, into my cup.

What is this wet that comes from above, 
That some call disaster, and others find love.

The harder it falls, the less it is nice, 
The colder it falls the harder the ice.

The rain has an art that I may not get, 
So I stand still here and get soaking wet.

 

George Herraghty was first off the bus in the middle of nowhere. Making his way towards a couple of heather covered Grahams that he will probably never want to visit again, Mona Gowan and Gaellaig Hill. – The joys of Graham Bagging! There followed a cross-country walk to Ballater, followed by an early bath at the pub, a great way to finish the day.

Andrew Taylor, Natacha Mihajlovic and Ray Harron followed   Allt-na-giubhsaich then up onto Lochnagar. The weather had by now set in with wind, rain and visibility down to twenty metres. After taking in the non-descript Carn a’ Chiore Bhoidheach they decided to retreat back down Glas Allt and back to the bus.

Chris, Kate and eleven year old Rhys Sutcliffe set off for Lochnagar but were put off by a tricky river crossing. After doing the hokey-cokey and turning around they circum-navigated Loch Muick in the pouring rain. Despite the conditions though they thoroughly enjoyed their day.  I believe Rhys managed to get across the river, well done you!

 John Henderson, our second Graham Bagger of the day went forth to find the promised land of Hunt Hill.  Reaching the river he stretched out his hand; and God caused the river to go back by a strong east wind, and made the river dry land, and the waters were divided. (He wished). Instead he had to trudge back and settle for a wander round Loch Muick.

 Jo & Paul Chappell left the Spittal of Glenmuick towards Lochnagar. At Clais Rathadan they contoured south till reaching Glas Allt, then descended to Loch Muick and finished off going round the loch.

 Annette Tunridge and Allan McConachie took the Capel Mounth road to Black Hill.

Near the summit they came across a brand new bothy with a couple of tables in but alas no seats.

 Dave Whitelock, Kath Taylor, Rachel Higgins, Andy Brooks, John Leonard, Louise Jones, Harriet Runcie and Stephen Linturn took in the north side of Loch Muick before taking the Glas Allt path for Lochnagar. Andy, John, Louise, Harriet and Stephen continued on to Cac Carn Beag. Reaching the summit they followed the corrie rim back towards the Meikle Pap then descended to Clais Rathadan and back to the car park.

Dave, Kath and Rachael headed west to Carn a’ Chiore Bhoidheach and Carn an Sagairt Mor, affording a great opportunity to practise bit of navigation. The descent was a delightful bog trot down Allt an Dubh-loch – well, maybe not delightful. The scenery certainly was, the waterfalls cascading under Eagles Rock and the magnificent cliffs of Creag an Dubh-loch.  An interesting river crossing awaited them under the falls from Loch Buidhe, after which a mad dash was made for the bus.

Graeme Morrison and Donnie Maclennan were definitely the heroes of the day, taking in all five of the White Mounths Munroes. Unfortunately I have no information about their day, but I’m sure they enjoyed themselves.

 

Dave Whitelock