brocken spectre and abysmal drops

Ben MacDui (10th Sept 2003)

Iain and I set off from Coire Cas car park at 8.45am on a bright clear morning.  As we climbed into Coire an t'Sneachda, the sun cast our shadows onto the mist lying below us, creating a perfect Brocken Spectre (right):

Enjoyed the scramble up Fiacaill Coire an t'Sneachda (left)

Iain detoured up Stob Coire an t-Sneachda, while I waited for him along the cliff top of Cairn Lochan (right), which must be one of the most dramatic cliff edges in Scotland - the almost horizontal summit plateau suddenly drops almost vertically into the coire below.  I wouldn't like to be anywhere near the edge in mist or a white-out.  Even on a clear day, I approach the edge lying flat on my stomach!




Strolled across the plateau to Scotland's second highest mountain, Ben MacDui (and, for me, my 163rd Munro).  Superb panoramic view to the west of Carn Toul, Sgurr an Lochain Uaine and Braeriach:

Headed east over bouldery ground, down to Carn Etchachan, for superb views down to Loch Avon (right):


Back across the plateau.


Iain detoured to Lurcher's Crag (is he becoming a top bagger?), while I took the direct route down the ridge.  He soon caught up - long, youthful legs!


Enjoyed the easy walk back on the superb path t the car park.


(written 31/12/09)

How near is near enough?

Mount Keen (7th Aug 2003)


A lovely outing for a summer day (and a chance to test that the ankle was fully recovered - see June 2003).


From a farmhouse B&B near Kirriemuir (highly recommended - www.muirhousesfarm.co.uk), we enjoyed a drive up Glen Esk in the morning sunshine.  From the road end, we were able to cycle another 4km or so on a rough track on the east side of Glen Mark, as far as the Queens Well (right).


We walked easily up the rough track beyond as it zig-zagged up on to the Knowe of Crippley (left).   


From there, a horribly eroded scar led us up to the summit.  You can see it in the photo here, even from a distance.


The heater was in full bloom, and a hot sun blazed down from a blue sky.  (Don't often get the chance to say that!)

Now comes the tricky bit!   I got to within about 2m of the summit cairn (right), and found it was already occupied by a swarm of wasps!  I tried to approach to touch the cairn, but had to retreat.  Tried again from the other side - same result:  angry wasps buzzing fiercely in my direction!  Ah well - if I do a circuit of the cairn at a radius of about 2m, that will have to do.  


Is that near enough?  Can I count it as a climbed Munro.  I hope so!


(written 30/12/09)