Meall a' Bhuachaille

Hill: Meall a' Bhuachaille
Date: Monday 16th February 2015
Company: Just myself
Distance: 10km, Ascent: 555m
Time: 3Hrs 10Mins

Instead of chasing previously unclimbed Fionas today, I decided to repeat a hill worthy of repeating.

My one and only previous ascent of Meall a' Bhuachaille was in June 2003. I can't recall much about my previous ascent other than the fact it was a dreich day with minimal views. A re-ascent was long overdue. Thanks to several friends for posting up photos from Meall a'Bhuachaille in recent months inspiring me to do it again.

I drove to Glenmore this morning and parked just beyond Glenmore Lodge.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

From Glenmore Lodge, I walked along the excellent quality track leading towards Lochan Uaine. Instead of hurrying along today at my normal pace, I decided to take it easy, relax and enjoy the scenery.

Track beyond Glenmore Lodge:

Meall a'Bhuachaille from Glenmore Lodge track:

On reaching Lochan Uaine, I took numerous photos. Lochan Uaine is a beautiful green lochan. Unfortunately today the light was not showing the colour of the lochan at its best. I took photos from both the north-end and south-end of the lochan.

Lochan Uaine (Green Lochan):

Lochan Uaine:

From Lochan Uaine, I continued along the track and on reaching the track junction took the left fork leading towards Ryvoan bothy.

Looking back towards Creag nan Gall:

It was great to revisit Ryvoan bothy. It was over ten years since my last visit to this bothy. I recalled seeing a poem inside the door on my previous visit and hoped that a copy of this poem would still be there.

Ryvoan bothy:

Inside Ryvoan Bothy:

A copy of the poem is still there

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Ryvoan Bothy poem:

After departing the bothy, I started my ascent of Meall a' Bhuachaille. The track, especially in its lower sections, appears to be much improved from my previous ascent. I seem to recall the track was a bit of an eroded mess.

Looking back to Ryvoan from Meall a' Bhuachaille track:

Looking back during ascent:

As I gained height, I got increasingly good views of Cairngorm and Bynack More.

Creag nan Gall and Cairngorm beyond:

During the ascent I stopped to take a full-zoom photo looking towards the Cairngorm summit and Ptarmigan restaurant. I last ascended Cairngorm and visited the Ptarmigan restaurant only seven weeks ago.

Cairngorm summit, Ptarmigan restaurant and ski tows (zoom):

Cairngorm:

Bynack More had also been a potential option for today but I decided to save it for accompanying a friend on her final Munro in a couple of months time.

Bynack More (zoom):

Bynack More and Cairngorm with Lochan Uaine below:

Bynack More:

There were several patches of snow to ascend on the upper slopes of the hill. The snow was mostly soft and not steep so no need to bother with the ice axe or crampons.

Ascending Meall a' Bhuachaille:

I reached the summit of Meall a' Bhuachaille in what seemed like no time at all. It is a really easy hill as far as Corbetts go, with an excellent track.

I took a few photos at the summit and noticed lots of clouds starting to roll-in over Cairngorm. MWIS had suggested that the weather would be improving by lunchtime but the opposite appeared to be the case. I wanted to avoid rain/snow and so increased my pace for the descent and walk back along the track to Glenmore.

Large shelter at the summit of Meall a' Bhuachaille:

Loch Morlich from summit of Meall a' Bhuachaille:

Bynack More from summit of Meall a' Bhuachaille (zoom):

Cairngorm from summit of Meall a' Bhuachaille:

As expected it did start raining, five minutes before I reached the car. If only I had been five minutes quicker

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Meall a' Bhuachaille is a great hill and one I will definitely be back to do again.