Mayar & Driesh

(12.10.2014) Mayar & Driesh, 5hrs10mins, 18.5km

This was to be my first trip out with the Highways Hillwalking club bus, destination Glen Clova. Me and Tom started at the Glen Doll car park and headed through the forest towards Corrie Fee. Followed the path up through the corrie then headed SW uphill towards the summit of Mayar 928m. Headed NNE following the fence posts along to the bealach , up the slope and along the wide bealach to the summit of Driesh 947m. We continued on NE  hen SE, descending down the Sneck of Farchal to the bealach and then up to the summit of the Hill of Strone 850m. Then we made our way down the broad ridge along by Cairn Inks, following the fence line down then NE down to the Glen Clova Hotel for a pint. The day was warm with sunny spells.

Glenshee Ptarmigan Meet

(5.10.2014) Glen Clunie to Glenshee Ski Centre via An Socach,18km,6hrs

Dropped off from the Ptarmigan club bus on the A93 at Glen Clunie then headed SW passed Baddoch Farm and up Baddoch Glen on the landrover track.  Followed the track for a few km before it petered out then we made our way directly uphill in a NW direction onto the ridge and took a bearing to the summit. After the summit we dropped down NE slightly due to the gale force North Westerly before taking a bearing SE, descending down the scree and heather back to Baddoch Burn.  We crossed over the burn and ascended the boggy, rough peaty ground up to Loch Vrotachan. Headed NE on the path to the summit of Carn Aosda which was even difficult to reach due to the strong winds. I had trouble standing upright. Descended down S back to the ski centre where we waited for the bus. 

The Cairnwell Munros

(14.9.2014) The Cairnwell Munros, 13.1km, 4hours 6min. Ascent 595m

Took my mate up his 2^nd/3^rd & 4^th Munros. We left the cafe and headed North around the ski paraphernalia and up the stoney path to the summit of Carn Aosda 917m. Sunny, hazy views, claggy at the cairnwell. Made our way SW along the broad ridge to the belach above Loch Vrotachan. Headed  round above the broken crags of Creag a'Choire Dhirich, along by a couple of small lochans before summit of  Carn a'Gheoidh 975m where we had lunch. We then aimed NE for the top Carn na Sac 920 before hitting the bealach 808m and then joining the path up to the summit of the Cairnwell 933m in the clag. We then took a direct descent NE over rough and pathless ground back to the start.

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.