Despite having the Muir Cottage meet pencilled in the KMC calendar for 18 months Emily couldn’t do anything about the lack of winter in Scotland, but we all managed to have a great weekend. While there might have been a lack of snow it was a glorious weekend of sunshine.

Tipped off by the fabulous SAIS blogs and the South Cairngorms assessors report from an ascent of Black Spout (two star grade 1) the day before, Emily, Jared, Mark, Harry, Paul, Jess and Andy drove around to Glenmuick and walked in to Lochnagar. While it was fairly clear from the col that most of the routes were not going to be in, the gullies were.  Everyone ascended Black Spout, which was in good condition, although a bit lean. Everyone headed across to the summit and then Jared, Andy and Paul descended to the Left branch start to do that too, while everyone else headed down to meet at the cars. 

Following much discussion the night before, groups were formed for adventures. Emily, Jared, Jess, Steve and Andy jumped on bikes and cycled in to Derry Lodge. Andy had already swapped his own bike which was broke for one of the hut bikes but only 100m down the road Steve found his fancy e-bike wasn’t charged and had to also head back for a hut bike. After a bit of piss taking, the group headed up the track to Derry Lodge, a pleasant 30 minute 8km bike ride. From there they headed up Glen Derry on foot to the Hutchinsons hut. Jared got excited by the possibilities on Cregan Coire Etchachan while lunch was eaten and the hut inspected. From there the group headed up to Loch Etchachan where the Cairngorms revealed that winter did still exist in Scotland, for those willing to put in quite a bit of effort to find it. 

The ascent up Beinn Mheadhoin was a plod in the wind to reach the summit tors before everyone doubled back to the Loch. From there they then headed up onto Derry Cairngorm where the winds picked up and the plod over the boulder field to the summit was tedious and the descent back to the bikes wasn’t much better. 

Harry and Mark also jumped on their bikes to cycle into climb Carn Bhac, the report back was the track was good but the cycling was longer than expected. 

Excited by the potential of a climb Stuart and Paul cycled up to Lochnagar, attempting the track from Balmoral. As Stuart had shared a photo to the group at lunchtime of them getting to the top of the track at the col it was assumed that they would run out of time for a route. However Stuart and Paul headed into Raeburns Gully to attempt the route. However when they got to the crux of the route it was clear it wasn’t complete and they had to retreat. 

The adventure wasn’t over though as Paul had unknowingly taken Andy’s bike from the Shed (assuming it was a hut bike) and had a hair raising descent on a bike with dodgy brakes and gears not working!

Saturday Rebecca and Phil, who were staying down the valley at the YHA went to Lochnagar to do Black Spout. 

Emily, Jared, Harry and Gareth cycled up beyond Derry Lodge, where the track becomes less gravel bike and more mountain bike terrain.  Gareth branched off to do the Corbett Sgor Mor and everyone else went to do Carn a Mhaim and then headed back to Braemar for repair bits for Jared and cake for Emily. 

Gareth later text to say he’d done two other Corbetts - Carn na Droichaide and then waded waist deep across the river Dee with his bike to avoid a 12 mile bike ride around the Linn of Dee in order to bag Morrone! 

Steve, Jess and Stuart, after a trip to Braemar outdoor shop to sort Jess’s skis then also headed into climb Carn a Mhaim. En route Steve fell off his bike into one of the little river crossings and ended up completely wet. Stuart also devised a makeshift solution to deal with the sore bum by taking a cushion from the hut to add padding to the seat.

Mark had head back round the Glen Muick to bag Broad Cairn and Cairn Bannoch, a fabulous walk in the sunshine.

Paul and Andy after a shorter walk in headed up to Glenshee ski centre and headed across to bag Glas Moal and Crag Leacach. 

Before heading home on Sunday, Gareth drove north to nab another 2 Corbetts, Brown Cow Hill and Carn Ealasaid. Jess, Steve, Emily and Jared headed home via a browse and second breakfast at Tiso.  Paul, Andy, Mark and Harry stopped at Glenshee to nab some munros before heading home.  Stu, excited by his new bike, headed out on the tracks to explore on his bike. 

So, while there wasn’t exactly winter conditions a fabulous weekend was had by all and we will definitely be back at Muir Cottage again.

*Meet is fully booked and has a waiting list which will prioritise full members*
 

It's been a few years so the KMC are heading back to the South Cairngorms to Muir Cottage, just outside Braemar.

The hut is ideally situated for plenty of easy winter munro bagging including the Cairnwell round and lots of Corbetts. For the more adventurous it also provides excellent access to the Lairig Ghru and Glen Derry, with options of winter overnighters at the Hutchinson's Memorial Hut or Corrour Bothy.

There is also lots of winter climbing options not far away including the classic Lochnagar and Creag an Dubh Loch.

10 beds have been booked and there is another club also booked so there is no availability to book extra beds.  
 

Cost £52 per person. (Due to the nature of how the hut is booked, discounts can't be offered for fewer nights attended)

Your booking isn't confirmed until payment received.