Mount Keen

(24.5.2015) Mount Keen, 939m, 20km, 5hrs30min

Left the car park at Invermark, Glen Esk with Graham and followed the path NW up through Glen Mark, passed the Queens Well. Followed the easy track up by Ladder Burn to the summit at 939m. From the summit we made our way over heather and bracken SW to pick up the Mounth Road path then descended the way we came. Further down we crossed the Water of Mark and took the path around Invermark Lodge to Loch Lee then returned to the car park. The weather was clear but windy with sunny spells.

Ptarmigan May Meet

(10.5.2015) Beinn na Gucaig, 5hrs 20min, 17.3km

Weather forecast wasn’t great and I was recovering from the flu. The May club bus was going to Glen Nevis but me and Graham were dropped off at the Corran Ferry. After visiting Inchree Falls we headed East along Glen Righ & Through Glen Righ Forest. Followed the fence line NW up to the summit of the Graham Beinn na Gucaig. We then headed SW along the top of Glen Righ forest looking for a fire break & had an awkward descent via the Allt an t-Seilich back down to the path at Glen Righ. Wet & blowing a hoolie but a braw day.

Glencoe Weekend

(18.4.2015) Buachaille Etive Beag, 13km, 6hrs 12min

Change of plans from Jocks Road due to the flu and the better weather in the East. Me and Steve parked up by the A82 and walked up SW up the Lairig Gartain, thinking it was the Lairig Eilde. Soon as we hit the bealach I realised my mistake. Parked at one lay by to early. At the 489m bealach we traversed W then N up the steep scree slopes to the summit of Stob Dubh 958M. Then it was a gentle stroll avoiding the soft snow down the rocky ridge.  At the 748m bealach we followed the path NW down the Mam Buidhe back to the A82 and walked E back to the car. The day was blue sky and warm sunshine.

Ptarmigan Meet Glen Clova

(29.3.2015) Ben Tirran, 17km, 5hrs 45min

Dropped off the B955 at Wheen by the club bus and headed NW up the landrover track up to Rough Craig 529m. From here we took the path NE up to Loch Wharral and then up to the summit of Ben Tirran 896m. Made our way West over the plateau curving around the craigs of Loch Wharrel over to Green Hill 870m then over to Boustie Lay 876m. The going was hard to Boustie Lay over peat hags and really soft snow. From here we headed SE above Corrie of Clova and followed the corrie around and descended South via The Snub down by Loch Brandy to the Glen Clova Hotel. The weather was windy, overcast but clear with a rain shower near the descent.

Brattleburn Bothy

(21.3.2015) Brattleburn Bothy, 2hrs, 4.6km

Night nav and abit of a mission to get to the bothy from Middlegill. Missed the turning and the other way the path was blocked by downed trees. Crossed over the Cloffin burn and followed a wall as a hand rail. Headed upwards through a felled area and saw the distant bothy light. Women was already in the main room so we left her and went to the other room. Got a fire on the go outside. Andy cooked the sausages. Banter was flowing. A cold night but in the morning the women left with a cheeky note saying she left more tired than she arrived. That we made a noise as there was a few groups coming and going. Got a fire on the go in the morning then left later on.