Beth's Stuff, of a Random Nature

An Socach (Braemar)

Another day where MWIS and MetOffice mountain forecasts was vastly different. And another day where the MetOffice were spot on. Come back Geoff Monk, you were vastly better than the current forecaster. And another thing.... I parked in a nice big layby for this walk because of signs at the entrance that said 'no parking, large vehicles/etc'. So what did I find when I got back down. Yup, parked all over the scenery including right on top of the entrance. Pretty arrogant I thought.  read more ...

  (25/02/19)

A winter Cairngorm constitutional

The weather forecasts were really strange. MWIS was completely useless, using word like "some hills..." and "other hills..." without any hint where these better or worse conditions might be. Meto were only slightly better. At least they hinted there would be an inversion over the Southern Cairngorms but neglected to mention Northern Cairngorms at all! The latter's forecasts could be better timed, the evening before coming out well into the evening some days does not give much or any time to formulate plans.  read more ...

  (20/01/19)

Fionn Bheinn above Achnasheen

Fionn Bheinn in Gaelic means the white hill, which given it didn't appear white or even pale leaves something of a mystery. Achnasheen is the anglicised name of the burn that comes down the side of Fionn Bheinn and runs through the village, which is - Allt Achadh na Sine.  read more ...

  (18/11/18)

(Almost) Bynack More in the snow

Having not been well the past couple of months and only recently recovering, I needed to get out. Rather than the traditional Meal a' Bhuachaille I chose the somewhat further munro of Bynack More. I hadn't been up it for many years and would give me a good work out. The past 2 days had seen close to zero temperatures and rain at Nairn. Hopefully I might get some snow. Feeling significantly down on fitness I opted to forego the ironmongery - ice axe and crampons. With the clocks changing I made use of the extra hour in bed which made the alarm in the morning slightly less unwelcome.  read more ...

  (28/10/18)

Beinn a'Chaorainn and Beinn Bhreac

Beinn a'Chaorainn and Beinn Bhreac are situated in the middle of the Cairngorm plateau. North west of the Linn of Dee, and south east of Cairngorm itself. To the north lies Bynack More. East is Ben Avon. And west is Ben MacDui. Beinn a'Chaorainn being the northerly of the pair can be bagged from the north, but it's a very long walk in. I opted for the usual route from the Linn of Dee to do both together.  read more ...

  (30/08/18)

Carn Dearg - Monadhliath and friends

With the long dry spell this summer a visit to the remaining Monadhliath munro was one of those I really ought to get on with. Claire and Richard were up talking to suppliers and such for their house in Nethy Bridge. They also wanted a walk. After some discussion we hatched a plan to bag Carn Dearg and possibly the other 2 munros.  read more ...

  (06/07/18)

Clegs and heatstroke on Seana Bhraigh

Wafting my map case in front of my face allowed a little respite from the flying beasties. I smothered myself in Smidge before I left the van in preparation for an attack of the midges but instead it was the clegs, or horseflies that plagued me. They still bit me on my bare arms, hands, shoulders, ribs, anywhere they could get to. If I stopped trying to splat them away from my face they bit there too. Including trying to get in my nose, mouth and ears. They laughed at Smidge.  read more ...

  (30/06/18)

Ben Klibreck

I woke to the aroma of a woody resin, sort of like pine but less sharp and with a hint of sweet perfume. Coming into consciousness I remembered where I am - in Florence parked beside a single track road, in the middle of no-where. The wee spot I'm camped is the start point for the walk to Ben Kilbreck. It has a reputation for being a boggy walk so I'm here during a particularly good dry spell. I'm surrounded by bog mytle, bog cotton and heather. Oh, and there's a long dead carcase, possibly deer, in the burn behind.  read more ...

  (06/06/18)