Muir Cottage, Cairngorms - Easter (4 nights)

 

Members Present: Colin Maddison, Bob Kelly, Mark Garrod, Michelle Harvie, James Williams

Guests: Pablo Lazano, May Macleod

 

Firstly it is fair to say that whilst there had been a recent fresh fall of snow and a cold easterly wind we had excellent weather throughout.

Everyone chose to drive up to Scotland on the Friday because of one thing or another. 

Mark and Michelle with Pablo on board headed off very early with Colin and myself following slightly later.

After arrival at the cottage Michelle, Mark and Pablo headed of on a walk up to Carn Liath by entering Glen Ey, branching off into a subsidiary valley then following the track that follows the Allt Cristie Beag. This was Pablo's introduction to winter walking.

Meanwhile Colin and I arrived mid afternoon finding May at the hut. She was persuaded to come with us on a trip up Morrone (859m), a top just south of Braemar.  The one with the radio relay on top that you see on the left as you come into Braemar on the A93.  We decided to do it as a "clockwise" circuit.  So heading south on the minor road to Balintum and then heading up the track besides the Coire na Meanneasg.  May turned back before we headed off up as she was concerned about getting round whilst there was still daylight.  Colin and I pressed on and came back down into Braemar just after night fall.

Interestingly despite me ploughing up the hill, Colin appeared in front of me.  "Ah", he said, "Once I realised not to walk in Charlie Chaplin's footsteps I made more progress".  But on the way down over he went on the snow - not once but twice.  Charlie Chaplin however remained sure footed - nor could Charlie suppress a guffaw at each tumble.

James arrived in the wee small hours - and then went skiing later in the day.

Saturday broke as a very fine day indeed.  So it was decided to head off on a bit of a circuit into the southern Cairngorms with a view to taking in Derry Cairngorm and Ben Macdui.  Setting off from the Linn of Dee car park we headed up Glen Lui to Derry Lodge before heading up through the powder snow to gain the nose of the mountain at Craig Bad an t-Seabhaig and then on the top of Carn Crom (890m).  Throughout this time we were overtook and were then overtaken by skiers.  A further push took us to the top of Derry Cairngorm where we stopped for lunch in brilliant warm sunshine with excellent views.

After lunch, onwards, on a stomp over to the summit of Ben Macdui where we met with yet more skiers.  Our descent was down the south east ridge known as Sron Riach and into Gleann Laoigh Bheag.  Colin very kindly broke trail through the glen until we got onto the path back to Derry Lodge and back out the way we came in. All this took ten hours and ten minutes by my reckoning.  May had spent the better part of the day preparing a delicious raclette for the hungry crew to devour in the evening.

On Sunday Pablo decided to go skiing with James so off they went - with James heading back south on Sunday evening.

For the rest of the gang - we walked in to Glen Callater, starting from Auchallater Cottage via Jocks Road. At Lochallater Lodge, which appeared occupied, we headed south up the northern spur Carn an Tuirc.  Here Michelle gained a little friend. What we though was a vole came running over the snow to take shelter beside her boot.  Looking at the photos again I actually think it was a shrew.  Seeing no-one on the way up, on the summit there were dozens and dozens of skiers.  We stopped for lunch but did not linger, due to the sharp east wind, but headed down the way we came.  Another brilliant day out and Glen Callater in the snow was a fine sight indeed.

So what to do on the last day.  Well we went back up to Auchallater Cottage and into Jocks Road, but then turning immediately up Sron nan Gabharm eventually gaining the summit of Creag nan Gabhar. To return we dropped to the Bealach Buidhe. Lunch was at a superb spot above the beallach with a panoramic view of snowy mountains and not a car or road to be seen.

We were off south in the early afternoon, with Michelle and Mark heading straight back.  Colin and I stopped at the Spittal of Glenshee Hotel - with Colin supping ale and me drinking coffee and muttering about the lack of taste in the Caledonian kitsch on the walls.

Thanks to everyone who came for what was a brilliant weekend.

 

Bob Kelly