Date: Friday 25th September 2015
Company: Myself and Cuillin
Distance: 23.2km, Ascent: 1130m
Time: 6Hrs 30Mins
I was keen to undertake a hillwalk today but was not keen to drive far from home. I was still debating which hills to ascend as I set off driving towards Braemar. I eventually decided to head for the Munro Top, Crow Craigies. I had not ascended this Munro Top previously although I must have passed literally within 100-200m of its summit when I walked Jock's Road back in 2001. I decided to also re-ascend a number of Glen Shee Munros.
I parked in the large car park at the Glenshee Ski Centre.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
From the car park, I set off towards Glas Maol via Meall Odhar.
Looking back to car park and across to Cairnwell during initial ascent:
Today would be my 8th ascent of Glas Maol. The nicest approach to Glas Maol is, in my opinion, from Auchavan via Caenlochan Glen. This approach avoids all the unsightly ski tows.
Ski tows on Meall Odhar:
View during ascent of Meall Odhar:
It didn't take long to reach the summit of Meall Odhar beyond which is free from ski tows. Meall Odhar is a Munro Top.
Cuillin at the summit of Meall Odhar with Glas Maol in background:
Ascending Glas Maol:
During the ascent of Glas Maol, I could hear the sound of geese high above. Two skeins flew overhead. Winter is coming!
A skein of geese:
On reaching the summit trig point, I recalled my 2009 ascent of Glas Maol in winter conditions, although there was no rime ice on the trig point today.
At the summit of Glas Maol:
From Glas Maol, I followed the track leading out to Cairn of Claise. As we progressed along the track, a Land Rover drove past.
Land Rover driving between Glas Maol and Cairn of Claise:
I also met a fellow member of the MMC who was undertaking almost the same route as myself but in reverse.
Monega Hill and Little Glas Maol:
This was my 6th ascent of Cairn of Claise.
At the summit of Cairn of Claise:
From the summit of Cairn of Claise, we next made our way out towards Tom Buidhe and Tolmount.
Looking back to Cairn of Claise:
I had only ascended Tolmount and Tom Buidhe twice previously, back in 1996 and 2001. I was therefore looking forward to revisiting a couple of Munros last ascended 14 years ago.
Looking towards Tolmount and Tom Buidhe:
Ascending Tom Buidhe:
At the summit of Tom Buidhe, a couple of walkers caught up with us. I commented on how fast they were moving; they replied that they had just been saying how fast I was moving. On seeing someone walking with a dog, they suspected I would be over 55!
At the summit of Tom Buidhe:
From the summit of Tom Buidhe, to avoid having to do an out and back from Tolmount, I made my way directly towards Crow Craigies.
Descent to col between Tom Buidhe and Crow Craigies:
Crow Craigies:
On reaching the summit of Crow Craigies, we met another two walkers who had come from Spittal of Glenmuick via Broad Cairn. By now, Cuillin was getting used to standing on the cairn to get his photo taken.
At the summit of Crow Craigies:
From Crow Craigies, we made our way across to Tolmount.
Ascending Tolmount:
At the summit of Tolmount:
From Tolmount, I needed to get to Carn an Tuirc. On looking at the map, I thought about either returning to Cairn of Claise or skirting round Coire Loch Kander. In the end, I did something in between. I initially made my way back towards Cairn of Claise before striking off towards Cairn an Tuirc.
Heading for Carn an Tuirc:
Glas Maol during ascent of Carn an Tuirc:
I met three other walkers at the summit of Carn an Tuirc.
At the summit of Carn an Tuirc:
Once below the boulderfield, the descent from Carn an Tuirc was very muddy in places.
Descent from Carn an Tuirc:
Looking back at descent from Carn an Tuirc:
Before walking back along the road, I managed to get the mud cleaned of Cuillin by throwing a stone into a burn for him to fetch. I wasn't looking forward to the walk back along the road which was very much uphill.
Heading for the A93:
An enjoyable day out.