Date: Saturday 2nd September 2017
Company: Myself, Becky and Cuillin
Distance: 15.8km, Ascent: 805m
Time: 5Hrs 35Mins
The MWIS forecast for Saturday, across the whole of Scotland, was outstanding. We therefore set off from home at 6.30, destination Glenshee, with the intention of ascending Glas Maol, Cairn of Claise and Carn an Tuirc i.e. three new Munros for my daughter. Having ascended Glas Maol and Cairn of Claise eight times previously, and having ascended all the nearby Munro Tops, this would likely be my final ascent of these hills.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
On reaching Braemar there was a strong police presence. I hadn't realised this was the day of the Braemar Gathering. We were soon however beyond Braemar and making our way to the Glenshee Ski Centre where we parked-up for the day.
Once suited and booted we began our ascent towards Glas Maol via Meall Odhar, a Munro Top.
Looking back towards Cairnwell from just beyond start of track:
These are certainly not the most interesting of the Munros but they are easy ones for little legs.
Ascent of Meall Odhar:
Before long we reached the top of Meall Odhar and were soon zig-zagging our way up the final slope towards the summit of Glas Maol. We spent around ten minutes at the summit having a drink, some food and taking a number of photos. At the summit I mentioned that we might soon see lots of hare.
At the summit of Glas Maol:
In Glas Maol's summit shelter:
Self-timer pic:
On making our way out to Cairn of Claise, my prediction was correct. These are great hills for spotting mountain hare.
Mountain hare on Glas Maol:
As we progressed towards Cairn of Claise we passed numerous other walkers all doing the same circuit but in reverse.
View towards Carn an Tuirc and Cairn of Claise:
Seeing Monega Hill reminded me of the excellent day I spent walking these hills from Caenlochan Glen, a much nicer but longer approach to these hills.
Monega Hill:
Looking back towards Glas Maol:
As we approached Cairn of Claise we abandoned the main track to follow the dry stane dyke leading to the summit.
Ascending Cairn of Claise:
Approaching the summit of Cairn of Claise:
We met and chatted briefly with several other walkers at the summit.
At the summit of Cairn of Claise:
The walk from Cairn of Claise to Carn an Tuirc did not take long. We took a fairly direct grassy line instead of following the main track.
En-route to Carn an Tuirc:
We stopped for a brief photo opportunity before making our way up the final slopes of Carn an Tuirc.
A wee rest:
As we approached the summit of Carn of Tuirc, we got good views towards the Cairngorms.
Cairngorms:
We briefly visited the large cairn on Carn an Tuirc before realising that the featureless terrain behind was actually higher. We therefore visited the featureless summit and then took the easiest line off of Carn an Tuirc avoiding most of the boulderfield.
At the summit of Carn an Tuirc:
The walk out was not as bad as I remembered. I recalled the track being a bit of a boggy mess. On this occasion, it was mostly dry. During the walk out we spotted a ptarmigan and a grouse.
The walk out:
The final three kilometres or so walking back along the road to reach the Glenshee Ski Centre was just a case of heads down and crack on. We were both pleased to get back to my van.
Well done to my daughter on summiting her 17th, 18th and 19th Munro and her 60th Marilyn.