Little Conval and Meikle Conval

Another opportunity for a walk, so we decided to bag a couple of local hills, one of which had a trig. The weather was fine and quite warm.

We parked in Dufftown and walked along the road out of town, heading roughly SW. There is a path on the verge for most of the way, before we crossed the road and them headed uphill. I found this to be hard work and quite demoralising at the time, but I have since decided that I am so used to running now that walking felt slow and hard work. It felt like an age before we reached the top of Little Conval and bagged the trig. There is a track all the way. We had a bite to eat and a drink before turning around and heading downhill. I also change my jacket, it was breezy and quite cool at the top. After returning to the bealach, we headed uphill once more, this time on a small, boggy path heading up through the heather and boggy patches. I found this bit easier. There is no logic to this. It did not take too long to reach the top, just a brief stop as it was still breezy and cool, we took a quick bearing to find the track down heading E. Instead of taking the slightly longer route on a minor road back to the town centre, we returned on our outward route.

Roughly 12.82km and 609m ascent

Thoroughly enjoyed myself in lovely company.

We may have found a coffee shop...

Ben Rinnes

Ben Rinnes

Adventures with Ellie - West Highlands 28th May '21

I had not run since my half marathon in the middle of April and in fact had done little walking, considering the Challenge was in a little over two weeks time, I thought a walk in my new boots would be a good idea. So we set off with Ellie to the North West Highlands and the car park for Beinn Eighe. There were quite a few vehicles when we arrived, we guessed a few of them were staying overnight, some with occupants, and some would have late returners from the hills.

We had a pleasant evening, a few vehicles came and went, and we had some very late, very noisy, very rude arrivals.

We were off for our walk at a good time, just gone 09:00, which is early for us, but there were already plenty of people and we had company all the way there and back. We walked to Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair, far enough and rough enough to test the boots and the ankle. We were passed by many people as we walked, but we were just dawdling and pausing to take photos and practice my map and compass skills, as it had been two years since I'd used them and I can lack confidence.

We arrived at the loch after two and a half hours in time for lunch. There was a group already gathering on some handy rocks, so we found some more a little distance away on which to sit and enjoy our sandwiches. I sat watching a few people making their way up to the ridge, some took a more interesting route than others. I wasn't sure I'd like it.

Eventually it was time to return to Ellie, we arrived in good time to dither about where we would spend the night. Having decided we would return to The Fairy Lochs the following day, but that the car park would not be suitable to stay in. We investigated a perfect forestry parking spot by Loch Maree, but unsurprisingly there were signs asking people not stay overnight. I'm sure people do, but we don't want to be those kind of people. We investigated another forestry car park close by and there were no signs regarding overnight stays, and it was much quieter, so we decided to stop there. Once all the visitors to Victoria Falls had left, we were alone for the night. It was a nice spot, albeit without views.

Can you see Ellie?

Roughly 13.8km and 603m total ascent

In the morning, we visited the falls ourselves, another short walk. The path was well maintained, the waterfalls had a bit of water, there were nice views, and then we returned to Ellie. On arriving at the car park for the Fairy Lochs walk, I was dismayed to find the car park really busy. It had been a good idea not to stay there. A small group set off ahead of us, an older couple and a middle aged couple. Another young couple left the car park before us and we soon caught them dithering 100m from their car. The young lady asked us if they were going the right way for the walk, they'd left their 'map' in the car. I assured them they were and that if they got stuck there were markers to show them the way. They had been put off by the warning on the sign that they were heading in to dangerous country and that they should be prepared. They scurried off ahead of us. After about the first kilometre, we passed the first group, having a break. We exchanged pleasantries and continued. A short while later, I could see the young couple ahead of us, scrambling up beside what looked like a small waterfall. Now, we've been here before, many years ago when the children were small and we used to camp for two weeks at Gairloch, I did not remember such a scramble on this walk. I suddenly spotted a walk marker we were just about to walk passed and so corrected ourselves, taking us away from the approach to the scramble. It could be that the couple had every intention of going that way, but somehow, I doubt it. They were too far away to attract their attention. We continued on our way, greeting some walkers coming in the opposite direction, before reaching a gate in the deer fence.

From here, we left the path as I wanted to bag a nearby trig. We crossed some fairly rough ground and as we reached the foot of the lump we needed to climb, we stumbled across the small group, looking a little lost and confused. David spoke to them, showing them where they were on the map and suggesting how they could return themselves to the path. They had probably unwittingly followed the route the young couple had taken and must have climbed the deer fence, which would have been fun for them. The easiest thing to do was to return the way they had come but not climb the fence, just follow it to the left to meet the gate, return to the path and visit the lochans. They seemed to be taking the advice as we continued. 

It soon became abundantly obvious that I was not going to reach this trig, there was a small scrambly climb and I was so close, but I was very concerned I wouldn't get down again, so I returned to easier ground and waited for David. In doing so, I got to watch the group. They had ignored David's advice initially and tried to continue the way we had come, but with no obvious path they were unsure. There was much heated discussion and I'm sure some foot stomping, difficult in the soft ground they found themselves on, before they headed back the way they had come. We never saw them or the young couple again, the groups car was gone when we returned.

Once David returned, we returned to the gate and to the path and continued to see the memorial by the lochans. The route we know continues, but judging by the state of the path, most people (if they make it this far) turn around and go back. We were eventually caught up by two couples walking dogs.

It was nice to revisit, but far too busy for comfort. It was usually just ourselves on this walk.

We got back to Ellie in time for a late lunch, but decided to move on first, eventually stopping at the viewpoint overlooking Kinlochewe and Loch Maree. My goodness, a busy carpark! But we were only stopping for sandwiches, cake and coffee, so no worries. We were soon on our way home after a lovely weekend away.

Roughly 6.19km and total ascent 264m

Adventures with Ellie - NE Cairngorms August 2020

We set off on Tuesday morning and headed for The Cabrach on the way to The Buck, a little hill we'd intended to do last autumn, but hadn't been able to park because of snow. We headed back and were the only ones there when we arrived, apart from the guys in tractors in the field opposite making hay whilst the sun shone. We both decided to use the outdoor facilities, one at a time. David got away with it, no sooner did I find my spot than another car drew up! I waited for them to leave. 

Eventually we were ready and we too headed for the little hill. Having climbed a gate, we followed a vague path until it was no longer any use to us, then cut across wet, boggy, tussocky ground to the fence line where there was another path that would take us all the way up hill. We could see the couple ahead of us, we gained on them slightly the whole way up. It's a steep little hill, goes on a bit, but you're soon at the top and there are good views. The couple were hogging the easy route up to the trig, so we had to scramble up the back of the trig, whereupon they promptly left.

It was quite breezy up there and a bit chilly, so we didn't hang around long, another one of those days when you pack your lunch with you, but take it all the way back again to eat. We followed the couple down and it soon became obvious that the young lady was not a seasoned walker and was being a little girly in her technique. She may have sat down a bit smartish on a couple of occasions. Not something I ever do, obviously...

Typical kind of ground

Handrailing

Going up

Trig on top of a rocky bit

Looking east

Looking south

Looking west

Possibly looking north west-ish

Looking over the trig north

We soon caught them up but as they chose to cross the fence line we continued straight on for a while further and in doing so over took them. On reaching the point where we had intended to cross, we had a conflab and decided the ground straight ahead was just as rough but took a more direct line to the road, so off we went. It was mostly fine, but the heather did get a bit long at one point which I'm not a fan of, I do like to able to see where I am plunging my feet, deep holes are a nasty surprise. Much to our amusement, the young couple decided to follow us, we must have seemed to know what we are doing. How we laughed. Especially when we veered away from the fence line on a slightly high bank and had to scramble down to reach the road. I don't think the young lady will have liked that. Ooops. Still, a lesson learned at some point by all walkers, never follow someone because they look as if they know what they are doing... Once at the road, we legged it uphill, passed the gate and back to Ellie, where we changed our footwear, ate lunch and checked our route to where we'd decided to stop for the night. We wanted an open spot with a bit of height, in the hope of avoiding a million trillion midgies, having just about got rid of the mass of dead ones from Assynt trapped inside the air conditioning. Yuk.

Roughly 4.86 km and 321 m total ascent

We were headed for Our Layby above Ballater which we approached from Kildrummy and Stathdon. We were delighted to arrive and find that, once more, we would have the layby to ourselves. This is the only place we have ever been beeped as people speed by, this time by two vehicles, one of them an estate vehicle *sigh*

We had a lovely evening and a quiet night followed by a lazy start to the day, we had a walk planned but with no time pressures can really take our time and chill. David did another deliberately visible litter pick, although again, there was actually very little. Eventually we made our way to the car park at Corgarff Castle (currently closed due to Covid-19) We made lunch, changed into our walking boots and set off on a circular route to do a little hillbagging. Not long after we left we could hear a shoot in progress, but fairly confident it was in the hills opposite our intended target, we continued uphill. There was a momentary confusion as to which of hills visible to us was our intended target, but I was pretty certain it was ahead of us and not to our left. I was right.

Our route took us up towards the bealach between Carn Oighreag and the west top of Brown Cow Hill. Not surprisingly, it was a fairly continuous climb up hill, initially on a good track, but then off to follow a vague path across open ground. A bit wet in places, but not as rough as a lot of hills we walk. We made steady progress and soon reached spot height 823 m, followed by 829 m and then Cairn Sawvie where we decided to just drop slightly off the top and pick a soft mound to sit on for our lunch. There were ravens again, we've seen quite a few on our travels so far this year. We had wonderful views of Ben Avon, Beinn a/ Bhuird, the hills above the Lecht and towards Lochnagar. We lingered a while before heading off again, down to the bealach and then up again to reach Meikle Geal Charn, following an electrified fence all the way, down to the next bealach then up to Little Geal Charn where we crossed the fence to reach the spot height, returned to the correct side of the fence, when we spotted two people walking off the hill behind us, but they disappeared from view, presumably heading for the track beside Meoir Veannaich. We think they may have cycled in, stashed their bikes along the track and just made a quick out and back to bag the Corbett. Then we were off down and uphill again to reach the Well of Don on the way to Cairn Culchavie, the last high point. We disturbed a small group of young red deer stags, being downwind of them, they were aware of us but couldn't quite decide what we were. They dithered a while before making off over the side of the hill.

Corgarff Castle

We followed a vehicle track to cross an inconvenient crop field, probably for animal fodder

Purple heather clad hillsides. The little notch on the skyline is probably between Carn Leac Saighdeir and The Ca, made by the Delavine Burn

Checking we're heading the right way, after a little discussion

The peat hags were remarkably dry, soft and spongy to walk on, lovely walking!

Determined to visit the highest point

Remarkably featureless hilltop

Lots of berryless cloudberry

A little rocky atop Meikle Geal Charn

Oh, deer!

We were following another vague track as we headed down via Carn Leitir na Cloiche towards a small reservoir, then hit the main track to pass Inchmore and on to meet the tarmac road back to the castle car park where Ellie was waiting patiently for us.

Roughly 18.5 km and 661 m total ascent

I had thoroughly enjoyed our walk, I'm so used to climbing a hill and straight back down again, I rarely stay high and take in several high points on one route, this was a revelation and I loved it. Helped, I think, by the perfect weather and good going underfoot. Loved it!

The forecast for the next 24 hours was of rain and high winds, so as there were no signs to indicate we couldn't stop here, we decided it was a good place to be and we settled down for the evening. There were a few vehicles that passed us, one or two estate vehicles, but nobody bothered us. A few cars and a campervan visited whilst we had our dinner, but they only stopped briefly, got out to photograph the castle, then left again. At some point during the evening a vehicle parked up across the glen, facing Ellie, with their headlights on. A bit odd. Nothing came of it. We had a quiet evening followed by a wet and windy night, as expected. We heard a vehicle draw up in the night, but it wasn't until the morning we discovered it had been a car, the occupants of which had slept in their vehicle. They were no bother. More cars and a motorhome drew up, but again, just briefly to take photographs, before leaving again.

David did another deliberately visible litter pick, again there was barely anything, then we left, heading for a Graham to save me detouring my next Challenge route to bag it. We parked by the road where I had met Ian for coffee and second breakfast on last year's Challenge, donned our boots and an extra layer due to the breezy and cool conditions, then set off up the track. As we looked back, another car arrived and parked with Ellie and two walkers set out after as. This was another walk where most of the height is gained at the start of the walk on good tracks, before heading off to follow the fence line and vague trods to the first named hill, Scraulac. A short downhill to the broad bealach, then up to the next high point, Cairnagour Hill. This was followed by a steep downhill to a peaty bealach, then a short sharp uphill to Mona Gowan. Here we were greeted by the most unnecessarily huge cairn, we rested a while taking photographs before being joined by the first of the two walkers that had left after us. We chatted a while to the young man who was from Huntly and was intending to walk the entire ridge to take in Morven, along with his walking partner (his father we think). It was really nice to meet cheerful, chatty, friendly folk on the hill.

Making our way up hill

Scraulac

View from Cairnagour Hill

Morven on the right

Massive cairn on Mona Gowan

We retraced our steps to return to Ellie, but it was much quicker without all the stops to take photographs and seemed much easier. We were soon back with Ellie where we decided to have lunch when we'd reached our overnight destination, Ballater community campsite. We knew the facilities were not available other than the grey and black water disposal and fresh water, but that was all we wanted and were quite happy to support the local business. We also popped to the Co-op for a few fresh items before relaxing with Ellie and just chilling.

After an uneventful evening people watching and feeling like the poor relation amongst all the caravans and motorhomes, we had a good night before another relaxed start to the day. We planned to stay until it was time to leave the campsite, then be tourists on the way home via Tomintoul. The weather was a little grey, damp and uninspiring, so we didn't stop until we reached The Well of the Lecht, where we pulled in to visit the iron ore mine. It's a popular stop off, I've seen big family tents pitched by the side of cars here and was not surprised to find fresh tent shaped flattened areas of grass by the river, but disappointed to find lots of litter, mainly wet wipes, discarded by the path all the way to the mine and back. David collected everything we found in a Mountaineering Scotland Tak it Hame bag, again in a very deliberately visible way, which he was able to put in almost empty bin in the car park. This time, he had a large audience, as although we arrived to an empty car park, four vehicles soon joined Ellie. Most were friendly, the old lady with her dog stopped dead, in the middle of the track, apparently fearful to move. Very odd. And awkward to get passed. A couple at the car park seemed to be having a photo shoot, in the rain, she was sitting amongst the purple heather and he had a very long lens on his camera. I do hope she did a thorough tick check.

Then mine, nestled in the heather clad hills

Roughly 1.45 km and 71.6 m total ascent

We continued on a bit further to Tomintoul where we stopped for lunch before reaching the end of our journey. We had a fabulous trip, loved it.