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Creag Meagaidh MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Creag Meagaidh has been on the to do list for so long. The past couple of years have seen us have to abort at least three attempts at the last minute because conditions weren't for us. So were we going to get it done this time................. YES  The weather bods said mostly dry with a risk of potential showers later in the day.  It was warm so even if it did rain it would be warm.  Off we set having smothered ourselves in factor 50 and Smidge. Warm they said.......... baking I said!!!! We had decided our ascent would be via Coire Ardair and The Window to ease us into the walk on a good path.  It felt more like a slow roasting.  It is a gorgeous walk out to Coire Ardair on a very good path but as soon as we were out of the forest the heat and humidity kicked in.  When we reached Lochan Coire Ardair there was only one thing on my mind, getting my boots off and getting in.  It was at this point I began having major doubts as to whether we would get this done. Bre
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Mullach Clach a'Bhlair

Our ascent of Geal Charn Mhor had given us food for thought on what was to be our next hill target.  We'd had notions on either Braeraich or  Beinn Mheadhoin but the lack of winter equipment and uncertainty on the true extent of the snow cover put those ideas on hold for the time being. So maps were scoured and the Glen Feshie hills were winning out.  Steve had already done both Munros, Rob and I had done one (though not the same one) and Kate hadn't done any of them.  A cunning plan was hatched that meant we could all start at the same point but we would split into two groups.  Rob and Kate would head for Sgor Gaoith while Steve and I would go for  Mullach Clach a'Bhlair. The Glen Feshie Estate have done an amazing amount of path work which makes the ascent up Coire Fhearnagan to the beallach an absolute pleasure.  We hit the snow line around 700m but thankfully it wasn't too steep.   The traverse over to Mullach Clach a'Bhlair required a w
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Geal Charn Mor

We always have a week away in May with the hope of getting as many hills as we can done, weather permitting.  This year, our base is Aviemore and the target hills the Cairngorms with Kate and Rob joining us. First up was the  Corbett  Geal Charn Mor, the  southeastern most summit of the on the Monadh Liath plateau. This was to be a leg stretcher to loosen us up for the rest of the week and to hopefully see what the snow level was like on the Cairngorm plateau.  Yes that's right, SNOW - not what we had expected for our week away. So we headed out up the Burma Road ( route on Walk Highlands ) where we met some hardy mountain bikers tackling the ever increasing gradient.  Once we were clear of the tree line we were soon getting blasted by the arctic wind. We were on top within 2 hours and surveying the snowline on the vista opposite.  It was a lot lower and looked a lot more substantial than we wanted it to be.    Geal Charn Mor is a fantastic viewpoint even in the
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Ben Lomond

Storm Hannah tried to wreck the planned Craggy walk to Ben Lomond. Thankfully, she had moved off quickish to allow the walk to be rescheduled to Sunday.  For once wind was not going to be an issue, all the makings of a good hill day.  So off we trotted.  While there were only a few folk heading in the same direction as us, there seemed to be a constant stream coming down Ptarmigan.  I suspect this is a result of the route description in Walk Highlands.  My body was having issues at moving at anything more than snail pace, earning me the title of Pace Setter of the Day for keeping us at a steady 1.9km/hr.  I have to thank the gang for being super patient on what was a longer than anticipated ascent of Ptarmigan.  We had some Ptarmigan Ridge virgins in our midst, some requiring reassurance from Steve "trust me" Morley. Plus Quote of the Day 1 from Carol "so where's this ridge we're doing?" ( said at approx 700m on said ridge ) We eventually ma
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North York Moors........... stepping back in time

While the main focus of our Easter trip south to the East Riding was for Steve to get his football fix and catch up with family, we also decided to make the most of the glorious weather by venturing to the North York Moors. Route for the day was staring at Grosmont.  It wasn't deliberate, but we timed it perfectly to get a steam train on the North York Moors Railway back down the line to Goathland, aka Aidensfield in the TV drama Hearbeat. We filled up on nostalgia (and cream tea) before heading back down the Railway Trail back to Grosmont .  Needless to say we couldn't go past Beck Hole without stopping in at the wonderfully quaint Birch Hall Inn for a pint with a pork pie and pickle chaser for Steve.  It was great to see and hear the various trains as we made our way back to Grosmont in glorious sunshine. Next stop Whitby for fish and chips - we were making the most of being in the area.  We parked up at the Abbey which would ensure we had to
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