Beinn Mhic-Mhonnaidh

Categorically, this was one of my most uncomfortable days on the hill for a long time. Having agreed to meet Graeme D for this one, we pressed on despite the poor forecast. Unfortunately, said forecast was correct and it poured for most of the day, only stopping when it started to hail. We started from Glen Orchy at the Eas Urchaidh, in full flow, and an impressive cascade of water. The meandering landrover track afforded some respite against the elements and when we had jumped two burns and meandered through the forestry, a brief lull in the rain allowed for a cuppa and a view up to a dark defile in the hill. This looked an attractive approach and we started up the side of this, surprised that its gradients weren't on the 1:50,000 map.

Unfortunately, as we ascended to about 500m, the clag closed in and that would be the last of the views for the day (at least until we were back down at ground level). The walk up on to Mhic-Mhonnaidh from this point was very testing as the wind picked up and the snow fields gave way to slushy streams/lochs underneath - my feet were soaked by the time we made it on to the plateau. The climb through the crags and deep snow was very testing and Graeme performed some Winter Olympics, which would have put Elise Christie to shame. No Chinese dissidents here though.

At 700m, things got better in that the rain became less wet but adopted a drier and harder feel. We spent little time on the summit and completed the circuit, heading off its Western shoulder. Once again, Graeme was almost comical in his attempts to defeat gravity and his biped stance. Efforts to slide down on one's arse were pathetic as we both sank into the soft snow. By the time we reached the burns, they has swelled in size and rather than seek narrow routes over, we simply strolled through.
I must say that the post-hill pint at the Suie Lodge hotel was very enjoyable and we both agreed it beats a day at le metro boulot dodo.

Creag nan Gabhar

En passant. Heading North to see mum who had been in a car crash. As she had folks for the afternoon session, i took the opportunity to take in this hill en route before seeing her at night. A bitter-sweet hill then. I hadn't felt great on the drive up but once I arrived at Auchallater, the sun broke through and my spirit soared. The walk up on to this was straightforward but I was feeling it - later I'd realise I was coming down with a bug. Once up on to Sron nan Gabhar, the Cairngorms in all their glory lay in every direction. The tors of Ben Avon to the various paraphernalia on the Cairnwell 3. I could see a large group moving up on to Morrone - a vehicle was also with them. How odd. Mountain hares and grouse scattered in every direction - as I walked up to the last part of the hill, I could see substantial avalanche debris in the coire. Chunks of snow as big as cars. Once up to the final plateau, I headed towards the large cairn, where I took tea and some lunch. At this height, it was a brutally cold wind and I didn't linger. I returned down the same route rather than head East and down to Loch Callater as I was a bit unsure how stable the snow fields would be. I got back to the car after 4 hours. A lovely wee hill.