Date: Friday 27th March 2015
Company: Myself and Cuillin
Distance: 28.9km, Ascent: 1015m
Time: 7Hrs 35Mins
The weather forecast for today suggested East was best and the Southern Cairngorms forecast looked better than the Northern Cairngorms forecast. I therefore left home around 05.00 heading for the Southern Cairngorms.
I had only ascended Beinn Iutharn Mhor once previously, way back in July 1997. Beinn Iutharn Mhor was therefore my main objective of the day. However, I had no particular route in mind until I could actually see the hills, slopes and snow cover.
I took my one-year-old Cocker Spaniel, Cuillin, with me today. All going well this would be his third Munro.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
I have walked the track to Altanour Lodge several times previously. It is a long way in and it generally feels and even longer way out.
Glen Ey, near Inverey:
Nice morning:
The walk along Glen Ey today was really nice. Blue sky overhead and lots of birds. During the walk in I spotted Red Grouse, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Snipe and the highlight was three Ring Ouzels
.
Glen Ey track:
Cuillin on Glen Ey track:
During the walk in, I thought Creag an Fhuathais looked really nice. It leads up onto An Socach, a hill I last ascended from Inverey.
Creag an Fhuathais:
I got my first good view of Beinn Iutharn Mhor from a bridge over the Ey Burn.
Looking towards Beinn Iutharn Mhor from bridge over the Ey Burn:
Today, we didn't bother stopping at Altanour Lodge.
Altanour Lodge:
Beyond the lodge we followed the landrover track to its end and then a mix of footpath and rough wet terrain.
Looking back towards Altanour Lodge:
As I got closer to the hills and could see the snow, cornices, etc. I decided to ascend Beinn Iutharn Mhor directly instead of going via Beinn Iutharn Bheag.
Heading across rough terrain towards Beinn Iutharn Mhor:
Ascending the NE ridge of Beinn Iutharn Mhor:
The ascent of the NE ridge of Beinn Iutharn Mhor was fairly straight-forward except for a steep 100m section.
Looking back during steep ascent of NE ridge of Beinn Iutharn Mhor:
Beyond the steep section the going became much easier. I was a little surprised to find that much of the snow was fresh soft snow rather than compact neve.
Onto the wide ridge above 800m:
Looking back along NE ridge:
As I made my way along the NE ridge, the cloud started to dissipate to be replaced with nice blue sky.
Nice skies:
Heading towards the NE top of Beinn Iutharn Mhor:
Heading towards the NE top of Beinn Iutharn Mhor:
Looking along the ridge towards the summit of Beinn Iutharn Mhor:
Nice sky, nice day:
The cornice on Beinn Iutharn Mhor did not look particularly deep but it was very sculpted.
Sculpted cornice:
Looking along the cornice:
By the time I reached the summit of Beinn Iutharn Mhor, my legs were already feeling a bit tired. This was a bit worrying as I had the same distance to walk back.
Cuillin at the summit of Beinn Iutharn Mhor:
As my legs were feeling tired and this was Cuillin's first hill of 2015, I decided to return via the inbound route rather than head round to Beinn Iutharn Bheag or onto Carn Bhac.
View from Beinn Iutharn Mhor:
View during descent:
View during descent:
During the return we had a couple of brief stops in Glen Ey.
Rainbow in Glen Ey:
On the way out, I spotted an Eagle soaring high above An Socach. Two Eagle sightings in past two walks; the Cairngorms is the area to see Eagles.
Golden Eagle high above An Socach (zoom):
Heather burning:
It was nice to eventually reach the car and get the boots off. An enjoyable day out.