Date: Saturday 22nd September 2018
Company: Myself and Ann-Marie
Distance: 19.9km, Ascent: 1025m
Time: 5Hrs 30Mins
On Saturday morning, I set off to ascend Mount Keen. However, en-route to Mount Keen I had a change of mind and decided to ascend Lochnagar instead. My first ascent of Lochnagar was with my school hillwalking club way back in 1983. Some 35 years on I would be ascending Lochnagar for the eleventh time.
I was not particularly keen to write-up another report for Lochnagar but on checking previous reports they all involve taking in Munro Tops or also other Munros. I am therefore writing up a report of the most commonly walked circuit involving Lochnagar.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
From the Spittal of Glenmuick car park we set off to undertake an anti-clockwise circuit of Lochnagar. As in previous days, it was windy from the outset but with a forecast of winds decreasing as the day progressed.
On reaching the col between Lochnagar and Conachcraig we stopped to take our first photographs of the day. Despite the strong winds the weather was otherwise quite pleasant.
Looking towards Meikle Pap from track junction:
From the Conachcraig col we progressed towards Meikle Pap and the Ladder where I took a short diversion to see the memorial. I have a significant dislike of memorials on hills but I guess this one has been here a long time.
At the memorial:
On reaching the col between the Ladder and Meikle Pap I carried on a short distance to get a photo of the loch after which the hill is named.
Lochnagar:
The ascent of the Ladder was a bit like ascending the tourist path on Ben Nevis. It was busy!
Ascending the Ladder:
View from the Ladder:
Looking back towards Conachcraig:
It was very windy during the ascent of the Ladder so I expected it to be ten times worse on reaching the plateau. On reaching the plateau it was however calm in comparison.
Lochnagar:
Lochnagar is a stunning wee loch in a great location.
Lochnagar:
To get to Cac Carn Mor and then Cac Carn Beag we followed the track which lies some distance back from the cliff edge.
Looking back:
It was great to stand atop Lochnagar again a hill which I have mostly ascended in winter.
View from Cac Carn Beag, the summit of Lochnagar:
At the summit of Lochnagar:
Someone had left a painted stone at the summit. This in my view is as bad as leaving litter. We therefore carried it down off the hill.
Had I not been suffering with sore knees I might have been tempted to continue on to ascend the other four Munros in the Lochnagar circuit but on this occasion a circuit of Lochnagar alone would be sufficient.
We followed the Glas-allt track back towards Loch Muick stopping en-route to admire the lovely Glas-allt waterfall.
Descent towards Loch Muick:
Glas-allt waterfall:
Glas-allt waterfall:
Glas-allt Shiel:
We also stopped in past the bothy for a seat for fifteen minutes before returning alongside Loch Muick to the car park at the Spital of Glenmuick.
Inside the bothy:
Bothy picture:
Inside the bothy (upstairs):
It had stayed dry throughout the walk but alas during the final ten minutes back out to the car we got caught in a downpour. The view back of rain falling over the loch did however make it worthwhile getting wet.
Rain showers over Loch Muick:
Rainbow during walk back to the Spital of Glenmuick:
Lochnagar in distance:
A pleasant day out.