LOCHNAGAR
Looking out to the summit of Lochnagar. Photo https://tms.nickbramhall.com/
15.2 miles 1093 metres
Start Monday 15.40
Lochnagar 16.50
White Mounth 17.20
Carn an t-Sagairt Mor 17.32
Cairn Bannoch 17.45
Broad Cairn 18.00
Finish 18.47
Squares: green - start, yellow - changeover, Circles summits - green - this leg, purple - to do. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 4.00 Actual: 3.07
John writes:
We screech to a halt in the carpark at the Spittal of Glenmuick and out I leap to the astonishment of the assembled tourists, run across the valley floor and onto a big rough track. Keep wondering if I'll meet the Queen or Prince Charles trotting down but no such luck! Stop running as the grade steepens and a smaller track heads off for the top, following this I see a lovely trailing azalea in flower, wonder what other goodies may be in store once I reach the top plateau? The top plateau turns out to require all my attention just to keep moving over the rocks against the wind, daren't even go near the edge to see the corrie with its classic lochan.
From Cac Carn Beg it's a real fight into the teeth of the wind over White Mounth and up onto Carn an t-Sagairt Mor which disappoints by not having as much aircraft debris as I'd been led to expect – probably too many souvenirs!
As I turn from the summit the wind is finally behind me, the terrain gentle and I fly over Cairn Bannoch and Broad Cairn, into some rough ground trying to cut the corner and thus down to the head of Glen Clova. The track at the top of the glen turns out to be a horrendous mess of boulders and gravel, finally becoming easier near the first farm where I spot the first non mountain hare of the trip, then umpteen rabbits as the track comes through the forest. (There later turn out to be a complete plague in Glen Clova drivers note!)
Alwyn and Tony are waiting at the van and have rigged up one last little treat – fording the burn to save a hundred yards or so – hope I can return the favour sometime!
Peaks done 206 time taken 9 days 16 hours peaks to go 71
Tony drove John round in the van. He was rather worried about his miscalculation of our progress. Anticipating a good night's sleep, he had not rested, but now realised that he would be going out again soon. On top of this, and his ankle, he was suffering severely from his stomach bug.
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