Sgorr na Diollaid; and Drumochter Munros - Carn na Caim and A’ Bhuidheanach Bheag.
Sgorr na Diollaid
A proper winter mountain day according to my more miserable friends involves starting in the dark, fighting your way through cloud, rain, snow, hail and wind, seeing nothing and coming off the hill well after dark as result of challenging navigation issues. We had none of that on Sgorr na Diollaid; but had an enjoyable mountain day with clear skies, little wind, great views, well frozen snow patches and good company.
We headed into Chisholm country up the quiet and remote feeling Glen Cannich. Rather than going up Sgorr na Diollaid (“peak of the saddle”) by the normal ascent route we decided to extend the walk by starting a few kilometres further up Glen Cannich where a hydro track runs up the hillside east of Liatrie Burn. As we started off from the roadside we had expectant stags watching us from all quarters - was it feeding time? Higher up the hillside, the track runs through an enclosed scots pine wood which is regenerating well, protected from the ravages of the deer by the fencing.
Leaving the track we climbed fairly steeply up the flank of An Soutar, our first top and began to get a sense of the views that would unfold on the rest of the walk - the Strathfarrar hills to the north; to the south the Glen Affric hills; with distant views as far as the bulk of Ben Nevis and the Cairngorms.
As we walked along the ups and downs of the skyline, over the unnamed points 713m and 777m and on to the rocky summit peak of Sgorr na Diollaid the near views of the Mullardoch hills to the west emerged. We peered steeply down to Loch Monar at the head of Strathfarrar, pinpointing where the cottage of “Isolation Shepherd” would have been (now submerged by the dam). South of the Mullardoch hills, at the head of Glen Cannich, Loch Mullardoch stretched for about 13km westwards - the walk along its northern shore being one of the tribulations of the keen munro bagger. The dam is apparently the largest concert gravity dam constructed in the UK.
We had a little gentle scramble to the two horns of the saddle to gain the summits and as we stopped for lunch a chill wind started to bite for the first time. At the summit we met one other hill goer and then as we descended a family party of adults, children and dog appeared. Suddenly, it seemed a busy hill.
Yours truly had the idea of gaining an ATV track which came from Loch Carrie to the west of point 777m for our descent. As we headed towards point 777m that started to feel like a long way to pick up a muddy, wet track. So we quickly changed plan and descended by the normal ascent route.
A very enjoyable mountain day in good company.
Taking part: John, Stella, Mira, George, Martyn, Richard Arthur and prospective member Tim
Words: Arthur
Photos: George, John, Mira and Arthur
Drumochter Munros - Carn na Caim and A’ Bhuidheanach Bheag
The walk was scheduled with 7 people on the list but then there were two cancellations. However, two extra people showed up - so back to 7 people starting the walk, plus a dog named Angus! The weather was clear with slight cool winds and the sun trying to make an appearance.
As the walk suggested, this area was ideal for snow shoes. Then the emails started coming in reference snowshoes. “Do we need snow shoes?” or “I don’t have snow shoes”. My reply was simply that no snow shoes were needed because there was no snow! This can be confirmed from the photos taken by some of the walkers.
The team made their way up the track to the fork in the path. We went North North East to Carn na Caim first thinking it would be the furthest away. Summit photos were taken with clear skies in the background.The plan was to review the continued walk when we returned to the junction of the track and foot paths. Two members (Ewan & Jim) decided coffee was in order and returned to the cars while the remainder continued to the next summit, A’ Bhuidheanach Bheag. On our way we came across a slightly steep snow slope. At which time some of the team found an alternative route to bypass the steep hard snow and pick up the foot path further on the route. Arriving at the summit, food was consumed and summit photos were taken. Once everyone was fed, watered and cold, packs were donned. With visibility still being good, we quickly retraced our tracks to the fork to the foot path and track junction. On descending the track we stumbled upon Elisabeth and Albert who were going at a slow but steady pace. Some pleasantries were exchanged with Elisabeth stating that we would be down and gone by the time they got back to their car.
The walk was steady and quick for we managed to finish in five and a half hours. Well done to all.
Taking part: Wendell, Anne, May, Neil, Jim, Colin and Ewen.
Words: Wendell
Photos: Wendell and Colin
