201-205. Lochnagar (Cac Carn Beag, 21) (P600 39), Carn a'Choire Boidheach (42), Carn an t-Sagairt Mor (83), Cairn Bannoch (117), Broad Cairn (142). 06/01/2019
Again a little unsure we'd have enough daylight, we set off early from the fantastic Ballater Youth Hostel, so as to be at the Glen Muick car park for 8am, well before dawn. There was enough light to see our way, however, and we climbed steadily from twilight into mist along the very well maintained path. Even as it began to steepen on the 'ladder', the dynamite employed for the benefit of Queen Vic made this a very straightforward ascent.
Still no sign of snow as we reached the plateau, but much to our delight we rose above the cloud as we reached Cac Carn More and had an even better cloud inversion that the day before. With the bright sunlight, today's was made even more exciting by Brocken Spectre at the summit (albeit at distance). This is something I'd never witnessed before and although it was only a halo, as opposed to the rainbow which can be formed when there is more moisture in the air, it was still quite special.
The summit of Lochnagar is spectacular even without lighting effects, with sheer cliffs on all the northern aspects. We appreciated these for a short while before making our way towards White Mounth, not knowing how long the clarity would last.
We did only get about an hour above the clouds, but it was the best time to get it, so we had no complaints - to have spent the entire day in mist would have been a bit of a shame. Carn a'Choire Boidheach was just a small rise in the plateau and we opted for following the tops to Carn an t-Sagairt Mor, rather than losing too much height in case the breaks in the cloud continued. This third munro summit was interesting because it was strewn with the wreckage of a fighter jet, including a near-complete wing.
It didn't take long to follow the ridge through the mist to Cairn Bannoch (fortunately navigation was easy) and then on to Broad Cairn. This was our fifth munro, making this the most I have climbed in a day in 'winter'. By this time my legs were feeling a bit weary, although I realised later this was probably mainly due to not drinking enough water.
Almost from the summit we found the very well maintained path down to the landrover track and then from there down to the side of the loch, which made the descent easy going. When this path rejoined the track, our progress became rapid and we were back at the car in 7h45 and didn't need our headtorches. Although largely misty, this had been a great day in the hills.
Still no sign of snow as we reached the plateau, but much to our delight we rose above the cloud as we reached Cac Carn More and had an even better cloud inversion that the day before. With the bright sunlight, today's was made even more exciting by Brocken Spectre at the summit (albeit at distance). This is something I'd never witnessed before and although it was only a halo, as opposed to the rainbow which can be formed when there is more moisture in the air, it was still quite special.
The summit of Lochnagar is spectacular even without lighting effects, with sheer cliffs on all the northern aspects. We appreciated these for a short while before making our way towards White Mounth, not knowing how long the clarity would last.
We did only get about an hour above the clouds, but it was the best time to get it, so we had no complaints - to have spent the entire day in mist would have been a bit of a shame. Carn a'Choire Boidheach was just a small rise in the plateau and we opted for following the tops to Carn an t-Sagairt Mor, rather than losing too much height in case the breaks in the cloud continued. This third munro summit was interesting because it was strewn with the wreckage of a fighter jet, including a near-complete wing.
It didn't take long to follow the ridge through the mist to Cairn Bannoch (fortunately navigation was easy) and then on to Broad Cairn. This was our fifth munro, making this the most I have climbed in a day in 'winter'. By this time my legs were feeling a bit weary, although I realised later this was probably mainly due to not drinking enough water.
Almost from the summit we found the very well maintained path down to the landrover track and then from there down to the side of the loch, which made the descent easy going. When this path rejoined the track, our progress became rapid and we were back at the car in 7h45 and didn't need our headtorches. Although largely misty, this had been a great day in the hills.
Looking south to White Mounth from Lochnagar
Sunny above the clouds
A halo of light around the summit shadow
Spot the ptarmigan, making the most of the meagre camouflage near the summit
Some wreckage on the Carn an t-Sagairt Mor
posted by graham at 1:44 PM
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