With our usual optimism, we set off from Layby 94 on the A9, hoping that the cloud would lift and the day brighten.
 |
| Aqueduct south of Allt Cuaich |
We were feeling confident that, should any white stuff appear in our path, we were equipped with the kit and the basic knowledge to deal with it, after our winter skills course a couple of weeks before.
Considering how much snow there had been in these hills at that time, we were surprised that we weren't setting off in snow.
 |
| Cuaich Power Station with Stac Meall Chuaich beyond |
A couple of hundred yards north along the A9, traffic whistling by (and a couple of funny looks), we took a right turn and very soon a left along good tracks. A couple of k's walk beside an aqueduct carrying water for the hydro electric system in the area, full and fast flowing. We passed the Cuaich Hydro Power Station and continued along good tracks into the beginnings of Coire Chuaich.
 |
| Creag Liath and Carn na Caim from NN681868 |
There was snow on many of the tops, but none nearby - much to Rafe's disappointment - he had to make do with a plodge in the burns flowing down towards Allt Cuiach.
 |
| Loch Cuaich and Stac Meall Chuaich |
We could see Stac Meall Chuaich ahead, beyond Loch Cuaich - our route up today's Munro - no snow - no snow at all....
 |
| Crossing Allt Coire Chuaich at NN692868 |
After crossing Allt Coire Chuaich, in weak sunshine, we passed a wooden bothy - locked, but through the window, we spied one big room, lined with many union flag beach chairs...
 |
| Jim and Stac Meall Chuaich from NN692868 |
The path up was obvious - no navigation issues at all. We set off, up.
 |
| South east from the ascent of Stac Meall Chuaich |
 |
| Loch Chuaich from ascent of Stac Meall Chuaich |
It was never very steep, but it was really rather boggy at times. Squelch...
 |
| North from NN710880 - ascent of Meall Chuiach |
The tops were snowy, but they were in cloud from about 850m ish - the views were moody.
 |
| Over Coire Choich to Bogha-cloiche |
There seemed to be snow on every hill but ours...
 |
| North from the ascent of Meall Chuiach |
But as we reached the wide bealach between Stac Meall Chuaich and Meal Chuaich, we could see that the north side of the Munro had a really respctable amount of snow - enough for there to be an off piste skier sliding towards us at speed. His fun was soon over though, as he reached the bealach.
 |
| Rafe and Jim - ascent of Meall Chuaich |
We crossed the snow field, but it was never steep enough for us to even think of getting the crampons out.
 |
| Rafe on Meal Chuaich |
Rafe was like a puppy, louping about, kicking up snow and trying to catch it.
 |
| Mountain Hare on Meal Chuaich |
As we made our way towards the summit, Rafe alerted us to a mountain hare, in winter white, then another and another - a whole drove of hares.
 |
| Views south to Carn na Caim from between the cloud from near the summit of Meal Chuaich |
It was good fun to try out cutting steps in the snow - although there wasn't really any need to - it wasn't that steep.
 |
| Jim approaches the summit - Meal Chuaich (Munro 214, 951m) |
As we approached the summit, via a few rocky patches, the snow decreased - blown off, no doubt, and the summit cairn sat in an icy puddle. No views, I'm afraid, just grey mist, swirling in the blustery wind. Then the snow started..
It seemed logical to use our bothy emergency shelter for a spot of lunch (it's been in the rucksack for several years and never been used !), but Rafie decided that he didn't like the orange flapping contraption and wouldn't come in - so we scranned a quick sarnie, feeling guilty, whilst we watched Rafie sitting in the wind and the swirling snow flakes. So, despite our relative comfort, this was one of the quickest summit lunches ever. I also managed to put my ice axe spike through the bothy - not an auspicious first use !!
 |
| Descent from Meall Chuaich, coming out of the cloud |
A quick descent from the summit plateau and the falling snow was left behind and the mist soon started to thin.
 |
| Jim - Views (only just) to Glen Truim from the decent of Meal Chuaich |
This morning's weak sunshine had gone, but being high is always good.
 |
| Rafe - views west - Coire Chuaich |
We returned by the obvious path, we had left it on the way up to take to the snow fields, but there was no snow at all on our descent route - we made good time.
 |
| North west into Coire Chuaich from Bothy (NN671870) |
We had a second lunch by the locked wooden bothy and then sauntered back to the car.
Coffee in Aviemore - as always...
No comments:
Post a Comment