Highways Feb Meet Crianlarich

(8.2.2015) Ben Challum – Crianlarich, 16.6km, 6hrs

Me Tom and Shane made our way to Kirkton Farm and then past the priory of St Fillan and picked our route in a NE direction up. The snow was patchy and soft but around 820m we decided to retreat. The wind was a strong cold 30/40mph and we would not have enough time to summit and get back to the club bus. Headed back the way we came the followed the WHW South East back to Crianlarich.

Ptarmigan Club Feb Meet (Balquhidder)

(1.2.2015) Meall an t-Seallaidh, 852m, 14.4km, 6hrs,28mins

Ptarmigan Club bus Feb Meet to the hills. From Balquhidder we headed NW up Kirkton Glen and out into the open hillside and soft snow. We stopped for a quick snack by the majestic looking frozen over Lochan an Eireannaich. Here it was time to get out the ice axe and crampons as the snow surface was getting progressively harder. We made our way NE towards Meall an Fhiodhain  following the old fence line to the first top 712m then the second 789m.  The first taste of the cold North Westerly hit us at the first top. It was a bitterly cold wind chill but luckily we were heading South East. The terrain along to Meall an t-Seallaidh was icy, hard and crispy with occasional soft snow, perfect for the crampons. Stopped for lunch at the 817m top then made our way to the summit of Meall an t-Seallaidh. After the summit we continued S down the ridge near the 722m top before descending SW near Creag Mhullaich down to the path at the edge of the woods past Creag an Tuirc and back to the bus. Weather was clear sky and sunshine but with a cold minus 20 wind chill.

The Pentland Hills

(24.1.2015) East Cairn Hill, 12.6km, 4hrs

Me and Graham parked just off the A70 at Harperrig Reservoir, headed around Cairns House, crossed a boggy feild then headed SE on Thieves Road. Took the steep path up to the summit shelter at 561m. The summit was icy and cold but the day was dry and clear. We then headed SW to Cauldtane Slap then North back down Thieves Road before heading back via Harperrig Reservoir.

Highways Hillwalking Club December Meet (Peebles)

(14.12.2014) Hundleshope Height 685m, 15km, 5hrs

 A direct ascent of Hundleshope Height 685m was made by walking South up Glen Sax as far as the house at Upper Newby then up the ridge and over Dead Side to the summit. It was a wild and windy day with occasional flurries of snow and rainy spells and large patches of snow near the summit. It was too windy on top for a lunch break so we headed north and dropped down into the valley towards Crookston then back along a quiet road to Peebles, arriving near the road bridge.

Ptarmigan December Meet (Glen Almond)

(7.12.2014) Amulree Grahams, 14km, 5hrs

Me and Graham were dropped off just before the Amulree Hotel on the A822 and followed the road until we took the land rover track up to Girron Farm. We stayed on the track for a few km until we saw Meall nan Caorach 624m. The summit was clear after a brief white out. We then continued down the ridge to the 587m top before descending downhill then following the fence line SW up to the summit of Meall Reamhar 620m.  We continued on SW down to the landrover track and followed the road back to Sma Glen . The snow was soft to walk on but there was long periods of white out conditions.

Ptarmigan November Meet to Moffat

(2.11.2014) Saddle Yoke to White Coomb, 17km,5hrs,50min

The Ptarmigan club bus dropped us off at Blackshope Cottage and we made our way N up the South ridge of  Saddle Yoke then Under Saddle Yoke 745m. There was a strong South Westerly so decided to leave out Hartfell. From here we headed NE down to Rotten Bottom then up to Firthhope Rig 800m before the final pull SE to White Coomb. We then traversed the boggy ground N then E up the slopes to Lochcraig Head and then descended SE down by Loch Skeen and down the Grey Mare’s Tail Waterfall to the bus. The weather was sunny spells and showers with a strong wind.

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.