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Forfar & District
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A good turnout of twelve members started the New Year with a walk round the hills at the head of Glen Lethnot. Six members left Forfar shortly
after 8am, meeting a further six at the top of the glen at 9am.
The temperature was well below zero as they set off, having been sent hurriedly on their way by a flurry of snow. Crossing a bridge over the West Water,
the track took them past some houses with a few contented-looking turkeys in the garden, no doubt relieved that they had survived Christmas unscathed.
A short distance later, they followed another track steeply up the hillside, climbing from two hundred to six hundred metres in height.
Having completed most of the hard work for the day, the walkers could then enjoy a high-level walk round the rolling tops which are so typical of the Angus glens.
The route curved round from Hill of Berran to Wester Hill. The going was very easy now, with splendid views opening out to the north, but with just
a hint of a chilling northerly breeze to discourage the walkers from pausing for very long. A hut was identified on the map a short distance ahead
and the group were anticipating some shelter on the leeward side for a welcome refreshment stop. Alas, as they approached it became clear that
the hut had fallen victim to the recent storms and had quite literally been scattered to the four winds. Nevertheless, some shelter was found
amongst the debris.
The route then continued west, curving south then east, over the tops of Ruragh, Dog Hillock and Hill of Glansie. This was the highest part of the route, all these tops exceeding seven hundred metres. There was a good covering of two to three inches of snow at this height, making for a nice wintry experience. The final top of the day was Mount Sned, from where it was all downhill, a very faint path being picked up on the south side of the Burn of Corscarie which led to a small footbridge before rejoining the outward path just a few hundred metres from the cars.
The total distance covered was fourteen kilometres with 650 metres of ascent. The time taken was fully five hours at a fairly leisurely pace.
Awaiting report.
The traditional ""High Tea" (alas no more) Meet attracted a good turnout of 17 members and guests. The group congregated at the Airlie Tower car park,
a short distance up the Glen Prosen road, at 9.30. A few cars were then taken up to Glenprosen village as a through walk had been planned.
By 10am the walkers and cars were all in the correct place and they set off towards the monument on Tower Hill, pausing for breath at the top and
checking the route in what had become a rather unfamiliar landscape due to the amount of tree felling which had been carried out. A gentle climb on
a path above the trees took the walkers to a small top known as “The Goal”. The onward route was now a fairly well-defined ridge with only gentle
climbs over several rounded tops. At Craigs of Lethnot the group stopped for a lunch break. The anticipated views to the north were restricted
somewhat by the low cloud although the hills beyond Clova stood out well, with the sun occasionally reflecting off the snow on the cliffs above Loch Brandy.
It was only a short climb after lunch to the highest point of the day, Hill of Couternach, standing 512m above sea level. Another two tops followed before
a steady descent to join the Minister’s Path, so called because it linked the churches at Prosen and Clova, the poor minister making that trek every Sunday.
At the rather boggy junction, the walkers turned south, meeting three other members of the club who had walked from Glenprosen to meet them. All 20 then
made their way down the lonely Glen Tairie in various small groups, with the early-morning calculation of the number of cars required happily proving
to be adequate to ferry everyone back down the glen. By the time the walkers reached the cars, thoughts were turning to the meal which awaited them
at Sinclair’s Kitchen in a couple of hours time.
A distance of 14km was covered with 500m of ascent. The walk was completed in about 5 hours, just enough to work up a good appetite. 26 members gathered
at Sinclair's Kitchen for a meal, after which Steve, our current President said a few words.
Thirteen members had submitted 57 images for the competition. Graham Wilkinson was the judge and was given the images one week in advance.
Entrants were coded so that Graham had no idea of the identity, and the order of display was randomised.
Alex Roddie, a recent new member, won both the Brian Coull Memorial Trophy for best photograph and the Norrie Trophy for the best collection of 3.
Congratulations!
Brian Coull Trophy: winner E (Alex) with Image E2 In Coire nan Lochan; second place K (Louise) with image K4 Tarn Hows:
third place C (Nicola) with image C2 Unlock Pike.
The Norrie Trophy: winner E (Alex) with images E1 Ben Lawers at Night, E2 In Coire nan Lochan, and E3 Kinpurney Hill at Sunrise.
Second place K (Louise) with images K1 Isle of Skye, K4 Tarn Hows, and K5 Great Langdale. No third place selected.
These 7 images are shown below. Full resolution images of all entries can be viewed from
the Photos Page.
The judge's notes can be viewed here. Entrant codes have been added.
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Nine members turned out in the midst of the longest cold spell of the winter so far. Ice axe and crampons were a necessity
on this occasion and although all our members carried them on the walk, many other walkers surprisingly were encountered
without such equipment.
The group set off from the car park at Glen Turret dam just after 9am in overcast conditions, a fast pace ensuring
that the winter chill was kept at bay as a chilly breeze made its presence felt on occasion along the length of Glen
Turret Reservoir. Beyond the reservoir, a group of swans paddled gracefully in Lochan Uaine, ensuring that one corner
of the loch was kept free of ice.
Beyond this lochan, the hard work started as a steep climb was required to gain the north-east ridge of Ben Chonzie.
The lower slopes were very wet but as height was gained, this quickly changed to ice on the rocks which needed care.
Once the ridge was reached, the group found themselves walking through a few inches of snow. The occasional hard patch
encouraged some to fit crampons or spikes although some managed comfortably without.
As the summit was approached, the cloud closed in and it became evident that there would be no extensive views
on this day. The considerable wind chill at the top ensured that little time was spent at the summit and a
decision was made to return via the same route to a sheltered spot tucked in beneath the crags for a lunch break.
After an enjoyable break, there followed a rather boggy walk down to Lochan Uaine before the track alongside
the reservoir was gained. A final four kilometre walk along the loch side led the group past the dam to the waiting cars.
Distance covered was 16km with 775m of ascent. The walk was completed in 6 hours.
A seventeen-bed forest lodge was hired at the Badaguish Outdoor Centre in the heart of the Glenmore forest.
After a slow start to bookings, fourteen places were filled in the end.
The weather put paid to the intentions of three attendees who had planned to climb Geal Carn Mor, a Corbett
to the west of Aviemore on Friday, but hopes were high for a dry Saturday as stormy weather appeared to be the order
of the day for Sunday.
# Saturday
In the end, the skies had in fact cleared overnight although it was still quite windy. Four different groups headed
for the hills while some others settled for low-level adventures. Two groups set off on foot from the lodge, one
group of five enjoying a circular walk over the nearby Corbett, Meall a’ Buachaille. One solo walker set off on
a long walk to Bynack Beag, a subsidiary top of Bynack More.
Two intrepids decided to attempt Bynack Mor. They set off from the Allt Mor car park in bright, dry conditions
and followed the Ryvoan Trail NE for about 3km. The trail split about 0.5km after the bonny An Lochain Uaine
and they took the right fork W then SW. It was only after crossing the Garbh Allt that the path really started
to climb. And it wasn’t long after they started climbing that they started to feel the wind.
The gradient of the path eased a bit at around 700m by which point they were struggling to walk in a straight line.
They were also obliged to don waterproofs as they were regularly powerwashed by light showers. Conversation was
impossible at anything less than a shout.
They made our way S to the foot of the final steep and stopped in the lea of the first crag they came to. A quick
cup of tea and a wee piece had them steeled for the final assault. They elected to move up the sheltered side of
the hill (the E side) amazed at how many people persevered with the prescribed (and exposed) route up the ridge.
Remarkably for this time of year it was only now they found ourselves crossing patches of old snow. It was soft
and didn’t require crampons.
As they approached the summit they could hear the wind roaring over the ridge only a few feet away. They stopped
at the cairn only long enough for the obligatory photographs and a very quick look around. The next shower
- this one with ice crystals in it- had us scurrying back into the lea of the hill within a couple of minutes.
They returned by the same route grateful for the decrease in wind speed with every m descended. The walk back
through the forest being positively blissful. They arrived back at the car just over 7 hours after leaving it.
A fourth group of two went by car to Achlean, walking up Glen Feshie and climbing Carn Dearg Mor from the west
and returning over the long north ridge, experiencing some heavy showers along the way and strong winds on the ridge.
Three different low-level routes were undertaken. Two newcomers to the club went exploring around Loch Morlich.
One member ventured along part of the Speyside Way near Nethybridge, apparently indulging in some celebrity-spotting
along the way. Another member got on his bike and cycled towards the Cairngorm Club footbridge and completed a circuit
of Loch an Eilean.
Late afternoon saw most of group gather round the television to observe the rare sight of England beating Scotland
at rugby.
Sunday
No-one was making any plans for the Sunday due to the weather forecast. It was late morning by the time the wind
and rain relented to a degree and a group of eight ventured out for a forest walk, leaving the cars at Coylumbridge a
nd heading into the shelter of the forest. They reached Loch an Eilean, walking all the way round and eventually
rejoining the outward route to return to the cars. It was still early afternoon when they returned to the lodge for lunch.
Four walkers went out later in the afternoon, the second walk for some of them. This time it was a circuit of Loch Morlich.
With no cars being required, they succumbed to the temptation of a nearby hostelry, completing the final part of
the walk back in the dark.
Monday
With a few members returning home on Sunday and others heading homewards on Monday morning, it was left to one group
of five to chalk up the only hill on Monday. They made the short journey to Lynwilg, following the steep climb
of the Burma road to its high point before heading into the wind and intermittent hailstones to the summit of Geal
Charn Mor. A hasty retreat was made to lower levels for a bite to eat before the journey home.
Most members agreed that it was a very enjoyable weekend despite the weather. The accommodation was a bit different
from the norm. It was quite spacious and members appreciated it being self-contained rather than shared. Worth
another visit in the opinion of some.
Awaiting report.
Awaiting report.
Awaiting report.
Awaiting report.