Decided it was time to recommence the hillwalking season after too many
good days snowboarding in Scotland.
Decided on winter kit so wore 4 season boots and packed crampons & ice axes.
Arrived at Inverar carpark and grabbed one of the last spots. We were
soon walking up the track and were approaching Carn Gorm when we noticed
most other walkers had taken a rather obvious ridge.
We decided on a direct assault of the hill and climbed up an easy snow
chute (wet sticky snow) getting the altitude out of the way quickly!
More snow fields led to the summit cairn where we noticed the path
everyone else took!
Given a favouable weather forecast it was much windier and snowed for a
bit too.
A straightforward walk down for a bit and then up to Meall Garbh
following an old fence. Must have one of the ugliest summit cairns.
Stopped and had lunch admiring the views to the lawers group and beyond.
Another wander east via a secondary top Meall a' Bharr took us to Carn
Mairg. Theres a reasonably well worn path in places but given the good
visibility it was easy enough to make up your own route. Some deep
snowfields gave an opportunity to brush up on some winter skills.
This is where the guides tell you to be careful descending enroute to
Meall nan Aighean in poor weather. For us it was fine as the weather was
good but there are a few crags to avoid. We went down a knee deep
snowfield and carried on to the bealach before ascending Meall nan
Aighean via more snow.
From here its down to Inverar on snow free slopes. We just made our own
route down just south of its west ridge before hitting a path that led
back to inverar.
A good 6 hour walk in pleasant weather. I was unsure of making it due to
recovering from a knee injury but it held up well.
Photos on the web site below or direct link -
http://www.prog99.com/Hillwalking%20in%20Scotland/Carn%20Mairg%20group%20-%20April%202006/index.html
--
Mike
Some pictures of the Scottish highlands here http://www.prog99.com