The main party started out from below the ski centre, ascending via the west side of Carn an Tuirc, on steep, heather-covered slopes before entering cloud and snow on the plateau. Careful navigation brought them to Cairn of Claise, where, running slightly behind schedule and facing a committing onward traverse, they chose a shorter return. Passing above Loch Kandar and then dropping toward Loch Callater, they left the clag behind for a bright spring afternoon, spotting mountain hares, a ptarmigan, and striking snow formations. They regrouped at the bothy before an easy walk out.
The second party had returned to Auchallater to start out, some heading up corbett Creag nan Gabhar, others to the bothy (and on the way back making it to Braemar via the old military road).
Meanwhile, Ken was on a more ambitious solo circuit. Starting from a side glen off the Glenshee road, he reached Callater Lodge before heading up toward Carn an t-Sagairt Mor to check on a familiar path. Higher up, deep snow and whiteout conditions made navigation challenging as he aimed for Fafernie. After mistakenly identifying a cairn in the mist, he corrected course and continued across featureless terrain. Descending carefully via Jock’s Road, he completed a long and demanding 22 km day, arriving back just in time for the coach.
The day concluded with a well-earned stop in Ballater.
Detailed trip report on the forum.
Our previous outing to Tolmount was in February 2017, where we had a very wintery day out. Download Trip Report.
Our next day walk meet is in 1 month: An Socach to Glen Ey – 21st June