Sean, myself and Jensen the dog decided to go to Glenshee today, or more accurately Glen Clunie for a walk up An Socach for my second round of munros. The forecast was windy, with snow showers in the North East....at least we'll have the wind on our backs on the route we thought. Well, that's if we get there. It was absolutely fine up the A93, sunny and blue skies all the way to the Spittal. Then there was increasing amount of spin drift on the road, but ourselves and the assortment of vans and lorries we were in convoy with were fine - No-one noticed that we hadn't seen a car on the other side for 20 odd miles!

As we climbed, the snow started in earnest, and just as Sean said ' I hope that guy in the van doesn't slow too much else we're going to start sliding', he did. And we did. It was immediately obvious that even if we got past the ski centre and down the hill, a snow-free parking area was unlikely, and getting back out may be impossible later that day. Also, the wind was ferocious, and it would have been a real toil even if we had made it to the start.

We managed to turn just before a 40-foot artic had chance to jack-knife, gingerly dabbed the ABS all the way back to the Spittal, and then high-tailed it to Moulin where we had a lovely (relatively) sheltered walk up Ben Vrackie to make the best of the day. The path was well trodden, but consequently icy, so the crampons were out for the first time this year. TBH, a pair of yaktraks or kahtoolas would have been better in the conditions, but I always avoid them as I don't think they're up to Scottish winter jobs as a rule. Today they'd have been great!

One of those days. I knew 'West was Best' today on the forecast, but as Sean lived in Perth, and I needed to be back early, we took a chance. Ah well, you win some, you lose some. If those pictures are losing, I'm not too sore :)

My wife Tracey and myself had a coincided weekend off this week, which is a rare occurrence, so we decided to do the obvious - a hill-walking weekend, (and a night at the Clachaig of course!). I wanted to tick off the Corbett of Beinn a'Chrulaiste, which sits opposite the magnificent Buachaille Etive Mor, and guards the entrance to Glencoe from Rannoch Moor. It is not a particularly characterful hill, but does command spectacular 360 degree views, and certainly did not disappoint.

The problem is that the bottom 300m of approach from Altnafeadh is a total bog-fest, so whilst I knew it was a straightforward walk for Tracey and the dog, the ground underfoot was awful, especially given the heavy overnight rain. I ploughed onward and upwards, but feared my words of encouragement were doing little to assuage the sheer grimness of the plod. Then, as we gained height, we felt the cold wind in earnest, and it was game over. Sometimes you just have accept it's not your day.

After a regroup over a cup of tea and a sandwich, a much more conservative objective was chose, the delightful stroll around Glencoe Lochan. It was man-made in 1895 by the owner of the lodge for his home-sick Canadian wife. It is a beautiful effort in lanscaping, but apparently didn't win her over. It did win over Tracey though, and we had smiles all round the walk....the day was saved, and rounded off by a pint and a posh gin in the Clachaig by the fire :) 

Sunday saw us rise leisurely in our wee motor-home after a typically good night in the Clachaig, and to much calmer weather. Tracey wanted to read her book, and was content to let me go out alone for Round Two on Beinn a'Chrulaiste. The bog was still unpleasant, but not quite as bad as Saturday, and over 600m was frozen, so led onto easy walking above that. The views were simply beautiful. Expansive and clear, in all directions. I would have spent longer up on the summit soaking it all up, but it was cold and I had a cuppa waiting in the 'van, so after snapping some pictures, I descended quickly. I was back to the van quick-time, with only one bum/bog interface! ;)

​It certainly felt wintry up there, and the ground is freezing nicely.......here's to a good winter season!

After a month or so of Email communications, Natasha and the AIG team arrived from London spot on time, well equipped, (well, apart from a few forgotten items by someone who actually walks and should know better! ;), and raring to go. The weather was very kind - Following heavy overnight rain and strong winds it was still cold, at around 3c, but bright all day apart from one sharp shower that caught us on the descent from Carnethy Hill. There was a cold wind , max around 30mph, but it was at our backs predominantly, so not an issue. The cold air meant we could see for miles, and the Cheviot hills and munros of Stuc a'Chroin and Bienn Vorlich were easily distinguished, along with clear views of the Forth and her bridges.

We followed the same route I had taken on Tuesday, and made good time. We paused for a moment in the lee of the wind after summiting West Kip, and this allowed us to take in the views and have a snack in relative calm. It would be fair to say some folks found the slippery grass and sludge a little intimidating at first, but the smiles rarely subsided, and confidence built with each hill. East Kip is but a rise in the ridge, and we were soon on the pull up to the highest point in the Pentland Hills, Scald Law at 579m. Natasha had the idea to use our shadows to spell out AIG, but it was realised that the sun was too low at that point after a little indecision. We pressed on to the summit, adorned with its Trig point, and after celebrating the achievement, had another attempt at the shadows. Andy and I, (the guides), stood back, and it was rather amusing to watch the different balletic postures as various poses were tried out! The Trig itself was to be employed as a character at one point, but eventually the wind and cold suggested that descent was imminent and the best policy.

Once out of the wind again, we commenced our final descent. But wait, what's that? Another hill. Carnethy Hill to be precise. Well, the team were in such high spirits and making such good progress that it was decided to add that one in too - woohoo! It would mean a rather longer plod back along the reservoir road, (which was not required at the end of a day that started at 4am for most), but hey ho, let's go! We knocked it off in double quick time, and after some more photos, it really was the final descent. Just at this point we were hit by a very short but very sharp shower, followed by a stunning rainbow, and then sunshine again. Scottish weather par excellence. Also, the path here is/was the most 'Scottish' of them all, and I believe there were a few bum/grass interfaces once or twice ;) Finally we got to the narrow road that services Loganlea reservoir, and I was asked how long back - A hour and a half I replied, much to most folks' consternation. It's great when you're cruising the high ridge, views abounding and your enthusiasm on high setting. But it's quite another when your legs are tiring, the pub beckons and you have encroaching darkness, however cute the wee glen may be.

Well, there was only one thing for it - March. And march we did....well, walked smartly for certain. And Lo!, we were back in one hour twenty five minutes. It just feels such a chore at that time of the day! All that remained was a short car ride to the pub to celebrate a great day out.

Thanks to Natasha for organising it on behalf of all the guys from AIG, thanks to Andy for helping me help the team, and thanks to the Big Man in the sky for the weather. Top day!

Had a very pleasant afternoon recce-ing a route that I intend doing on Thursday this week with a group up from London. If this calm weather holds, it'll be really good. Threipmuir reservoir, over West and East Kips and then Scald Law, the highest hill in the Pentlands at 579m. It is a really good vantage point over not only Penicuik, Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth, but also further to the Fife hills and beyond.
The descent takes you past Loganlea reservoir and through a lovely little glen formed in the Devonian volcanic rock by glaciation*, and finally back to Bavelaw castle and the car.

*I remembered at least some of my geology course held here! ;)

Another couple of munro ticks today, this time in absolutely splendid conditions - Cold, still, sunny. It doesn't get much better. Glen Doll looked simply gorgeous today, and Sean, Jensen the dog and myself had a really good walk; up the Kilbo path and down the greatly improved Corrie Fee path via Driesh and Mayar summits. We came across one of the Cairngorm Photo posts, and whilst we don't think they'll want the posed piccy of us three, it is a very interesting project. Read more at http://cairngorms.co.uk/photo-posts/
I was rather pleased with the rather hurried point-and-press zoom of a mountain hare running away. We kept the dog on the lead, but the hares still did a bolt on the ascent of Driesh, three of them. I just caught it mid-air, amazing given the camera quality, distance and skill of the user! ;) The other zoomed one is a hare in full winter garb, but of the belief that we cannot see him. Slightly flawed strategy until the snows come. Bring it on...............