Goatfell (Isle of Arran)

(7.9.2014) Goatfell corrie to Brodick 15.8km 6hours 26mins

 It was an early start with Ptarmigan Club as we got on the bus at 7am to travel to Ardrossan for the ferry to Arran. Me and Shane got on the local bus to Corrie then followed the path up West up Coire Lan to North Goatfell 768m. We then headed NE to the minor top Mullach Buidhe 829m before heading back along the ridge.  We had fun scrambling & taking the path over the granite pinnacles and boulder fields to the summit of Goatfell 874m. We then descended  down the East ridge, the shoulder of  Meall Breac then South down the tourist path back to Brodick Bay. A couple of cheeky pints were to be had before the ferry back to Ardrossan.

Carn a’ Chlamain

(31.8.2014) Carn a’ Chlamain 963.  27.6km, 6 hours 50 mins

Headed North near the Old Bridge of Tilt through the woodland then out  NE onto Glen Tilt. Crossed the Allt Mhairc on the stone bridge, along then over the Allt Craoinidh and up the grassy path through the heather onto the bulldozed track. Followed the track until the we hit the short stony path to the summit of Carn a’ Chlamain 963m.  We  headed over to the North top 952m before returning the same way. The weather was warm and sunny. Next time I’ll take the bike.

Sgurr Eilde Mor

 

(3.8.2014) Sgurr Eilde Mor from Kinlochleven  5 hours, ascent 1010m

With the Ptarmigan walking club we headed up through the forest from Kinlochleven into open moorland along by the other side of the burn. Headed up and crossed the burn to the path by the Ann Cumbann. Headed NE up the path by Loch Eilde Mor abd then by Coire an Lochan. Headed up the SE scree slope to the summit of Sgurr Eilde Mor. The summit was clear however on the decent heavy rain fell and the Allt Coire nan Laogh was in spate. We took the decision to head S by the stalkers path at Loch Eilde Mor where we could cross the river by the bridge. Followed the path back to the start & a quick pint in the Ice Factory.

White Mounth Munros (Glen Muick)

(25-26.7.14) White Mounth Munros (Glen Muick) 29km,1228 ascent

Headed up early Friday, Steve picked me up then we stopped off for supplies in tesco before a fish supper in Ballater. Suited and booted then we were off around 6pm. Followed the track west to the Spittal of Glen Muick then up crossing  the north side of the Allt na Guibhsaich.  It was a warm night with temperatures in the mid twenties. Soon we hit the bealach with great views over to Lochnagar’s northern corrie and the lochan. We then climbed up the track known as ‘the ladder’ hopping over the boulders up onto the plateau  then continued around the edge of the cliffs to the first top of Cac Carn Mor then the true summit Cac Carn Beag 1156m. It was a beautiful night to be up on the summit at dusk. We decided to continue on and traverse across the plateau SW.  By this time the colours of the day were fading so got the head torches out. Made our way over to the Stuic with views down Lochan nan Eun. Abit of compass work was required as it was now dark. Took a bearing South to the summit of Carn a’ Choire Bhoidheach 1110m. From the summit I took another bearing SW to meet up with the faint path. We crossed the Allt an Da  Chraobh  Bheath and found a flattish bit of ground to set up the tent at around 950m . Cracked open the tins and a couple of whiskeys to pass the night and admire the stars. Woke up during the night freezing, lessons learned, don’t just take a sleeping bag liner. 

In the morning a couple of cereal bars, packed up the tent then  climbed the 100 odd metres to the summit of Carn an t-Sagairt Mor 1047m . Visited the RAF Canberra wreckage just North of the summit. We continued on SE on the stalkers path to Cairn Bannoch,1002m and then to the final munro Broad Cairn,998m with views to Loch Muick. Descended down the boulder field then along the track above Loch Muick before heading down by Loch Muick and back to the Spittal of Glen Muick. Headed back to Braemar, got a hostel for the night then had a scran and a good few scoops.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYm33ZWLY3I

Ptarmigan Meet (Aonach Mor)

(6.7.2014) Aonach Mor South East Ridge, 633m 5 hours

My first walk with the walking club. One of the members wanted to head up the South East ridge of Anoch Mor so we headed through Leanachan Forest looking for a way onto the ridge. We ended up crossing through the forest, over boggy ground and then over deforestation  until we finally made it onto the ridge of Tom na Sroine. The terrain to get there was very rough and the going very hard. At around 700m we realised we would not have enough time to summit therefore we crossed the Allt Choille rais, headed to the viewpoint Sgurr Finniosg 663m then descended  under the gondola by the Allt an Sneachda back to the car park.