Hill: Creag Bhalg
Date: Sunday 27th December 2009
Company: Just me
Time: 2Hrs 10Mins

I parked at NO078900 where there is room for one car. (Plenty additional parking 1.5km back along the road at the Linn of Dee.)

Parking place:


Absolutely no need for axe or crampons today, although snow shoes might have been useful. From the outset it was a wade through 12 inches of powder snow. I followed the track up through the forest for just over 1km.

Track through forest:


Inverey and Glen Ey:


At NO088904 I took the path heading NW until reaching the deer fence. There is a good wide-stepped stile over the deer fence.

Ascent towards deer fence:


Deer fence with gate and stile:


After crossing the fence I headed directly towards the summit. Thanks to “Mr Chops” who possibly broke trail on Boxing Day? (“Mr Chops” was written in the snow en-route to summit).

Looking towards summit:


Old tree:


View towards Carn Bhac:


View from Creag Bhalg:


On reaching the summit I visited both cairns and took a few photos before heading back down via the same route.

Twin cairns at summit:


View towards Glen Lui:


View towards Glen Quioch:


The ascent of Creag Bhalg was quite quick so I opted to drive somewhere else to ascend another wee hill. I quite fancied ascending a Sub2000ft Marilyn and recalled that there was one down next to Mount Blair. A quick check of the map confirmed the hill and located a potential starting point. I entered the grid reference into the SatNav and was soon on my way to NO172610.

Hill: Meall Mor
Date: Sunday 27th December 2009
Company: Just me
Time: 1 Hr

I parked at NO172610 where there is room for 2 or 3 cars. My map showed that the track ended in the forest. I set off up the snow-covered track hoping that the track would continue further than indicated on the map or that I would find a fire-break.

Looking back to starting point:


During the walk up the track a really small bird caught my eye. I had never previously seen a Goldcrest but recognised it from the streak of gold on its head. I took a number of photos before it flew off but I didn't get as good a shot as I would have liked. Couple of photos below.

Goldcrest:


Goldcrest:


I followed the track to its highest point and then followed a number of hare tracks up through the trees which soon took me onto the open hillside.

Looking across to Mount Blair:


Mount Blair is very prominent from the summit but there are also good views up Glen Shee.

View from summit:


Mount Blair from summit:


Windfarm from summit:


After a short stop at the summit, I returned to the car via the same route.