Conachcraig: A Bonus Walk

Having been out yesterday, thinking we’d got the best day of the weekend based on the weather forecast, I was feeling pretty tired after a busy holiday with lots of running in addition to walking. However, it appeared from the photos that Bruce’s friend sent from Loch Muick as he started out for the day that perhaps we’d been cheated! There was no choice but to quickly get organised and head out the road again!

First Stop: Ballater

No, not for another pie! Our stop was for a comfort break, my fear that the Loch Muick toilets would be closed due to the cold temperatures (they weren’t), and to allow Bruce to throw snow across the windscreen to clean it, the washers having frozen on route.

Clear Road to Glen Muick

Kudos to the Aberdeenshire gritting team who had done a sterling job of gritting the roads, including it would appear all the way along to Loch Muick! Only the upper car park was open and there were still spaces available, so after a quick stop to don waterproofs, winter boots and rucksacks, we were off.

Path to Lochnagar (or Conachcraig)

Our route was familiar having followed this path many times for either Lochnagar or Conachcraig. I’d expected it to be hard packed with ice but there was a fair amount of snow instead. Patches were a little bit icy as we ascended but we managed to skirt around them.

The stepping stones across the ‘waterslide’ had verglas where they were exposed so I opted instead to stand on those that were semi-submerged, my Goretex boots doing a grand job of keeping my feet dry!

Beyond this we plodded on, gradually gaining height until we reached the cairn that marks the Lochnagar turn off. We turned right rather than left and began our final ascent to reach the summit of Conachcraig.

Corbetts for the Win!

The ascent to Conachcraig is short and particularly in fine weather there is a clear path. Today this was snow covered, however others had been up ahead of us and we followed their footsteps for the most part.

As always, we were rewarded by beautiful views from the summit and were really glad that we’d made the effort to get out today after all.

A Quick Return

Heading back to the main track we met a few other folks on the way up and enjoyed a blether with them. Once back at the track I opted to put on my microspikes. Bruce decided to follow suit and we were both happy with this decision as, despite the path not having appeared overly icy on the way up, there was a satisfying crunch beneath our feet and we were certainly able to up the pace. We were also more able to take in the scenery, Bruce spotting some rather spectacular icicles!

All the way down, across the ‘waterslide’, through the forest and back to the car. Job done! We were very happy with our endeavour and I was all the happier when Bruce, despite listening to the football on the radio, offered a coffee stop in Ballater.

Final Stop: The Bothy

Back to The Bothy it was, albeit in a different location to yesterday. Suitably refreshed by scones and coffee we hit the road home where once again I struggled to stay awake throughout the journey!