Date: Friday 23rd October 2015
Company: Myself and Becky
Distance: 11.5km, Ascent: 465m
Time: 2Hrs 50Mins
With only a few hours to spare today, I set off with Becky with a view to ascending one of closest-to-home Corbetts, Corriehabbie Hill. However, due to free-roaming cattle at the start of the walk, I decided to abandon this plan and head for Carn Ealasaid instead. My only previous ascent of Carn Ealasaid was back in February 2004.
It was my intention to park in the car park of the Allargue Hotel but on seeing a sign advising "Customer parking only", I opted to park a short distance up the A939 instead.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
We initially made our way back down the A939 towards the Allargue Hotel before taking the track towards Loinherry.
Looking across the River Don towards Corgarff Castle:
During the walk towards Lionherry, we stopped briefly to take photos of Corgarff Castle.
Corgarff Castle (zoom):
Walking along the track towards Loinherry:
We also passed a sheep pen that was full of sheep.
Becky at the sheep pen:
On reaching Loinherry, we left the main track to take the track ascending Cairn Vaich.
View of the Lecht during initial ascent of Cairn Vaich:
Ascending Cairn Vaich:
I had expected the windspeed today to be circa 10-15mph. I would estimate it was closer to 30-40mph. It was definitely blustery.
Approaching the top of Cairn Vaich:
Beyond Cairn Vaich, the walk out to the summit of Carn Ealasaid was nice and gentle.
Fairly flat walk out to Carn Ealasaid from Cairn Vaich:
We didn't spend long at the summit today as we had to pick our dog up from the vet after our walk.
Becky at the summit of Carn Ealasaid:
We returned to the car mostly via the same route with the exception of sticking to the track on the way back instead of taking a boggy shortcut.
Looking back to Loinherry and Cairn Vaich:
An excellent way to spend a few spare hours.