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Gleann Einich
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At the end of last week my friend Tony Hobbs again came up
from down south with his dog Lassie hoping to gain some snow skills, just as he had at
the
end of January.
Unfortunately this
time there was even less snow and high winds prevented us reaching it. In fact
the wind limited what we could do to a great extent.
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Tony heading into sodden Gleann Einich
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We began by walking into Gleann Einich where I hoped we
might find a reasonably sheltered and dry site above the forest. It was not to
be. The ground was mostly sodden from rain and snowmelt and the wind was
relentless. After searching along the side of some big moraines that did keep some
of the wind off and finding nowhere comfortable we retreated down into the
forest and camped in a dip amongst some big pines, a fine forest site.
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Shelter in the forest
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We could maybe have camped somewhere bumpy, damp, and
windswept higher up but there was no need when we knew dry sheltered sites lay
not far away. I’ve spent far too many nights in high winds to want to do so if
it isn’t necessary.
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Morning view
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The wind roared through the tops of the trees during the
night but only the occasional gust reached ground level. Morning came with dark
clouds racing across the sky. The night had been warm, with a low of only +8
°C,
and I’d been too hot in my -7 degree bag until I unzipped it and draped it over
me as a quilt. My heavy storm resistant winter tent was overkill here too and I
doubted I’d need the snow shovel, crampons, or ice axe I’d brought. This was
supposed to be a winter trip. I’ve had colder weather in May.
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Braeriach from Cadha Mor
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The second day we decided on a day walk up the long ridge running
along the west side of Gleann Einich. We didn’t get very far. Once we reached Cadha
Mor on the north end of the ridge the full force of the west wind hit us. Not
strong enough to knock you over but certainly enough to impede walking a
little. Ahead the ridge disappeared into dark, angry clouds.
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Rainbow over Loch an Eilein and Loch Gamhna
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As we pushed on a heavy squall blasted over us, leaving bits
of rainbow in its wake. The 848 metre summit of Creag Dhubh was the highpoint
of the day. We sheltered behind the big rocky tor known as The Argyll Stone for
a bit to eat and a rest out of the wind, which was much stronger here. Continuing
along the ridge into the cloud wasn’t appealing. Descending west and making our
way back to camp via Loch an Eilein was mooted but soon rejected as it meant heading
into the wind.
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The Argyll Stone
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Instead we went east, down through heather and tussocks and
boulders into Gleann Einich and then back to camp. We had never reached any
snow.
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| Sunshine! |
Bursts of sunlight early the next morning suggested improving
weather. It didn’t last and our final view of the mountains was of the clouds
surging over Braeriach.
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Final view of Braeriach
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This was Tony’s fourth Cairngorms camping trip with me. There
has been a great deal of wind and rain and he hasn’t reached a Munro yet or had
much of a view high up. Maybe next time.
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Loch Einich
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Tony and Lassie on the descent, Bursts of sunshine in Glenmore
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A spring with juniper on the descent
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Braeriach almost emerges from the clouds
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