Lochnagar & The Mounth Plateau (Circuit of 5!)

Written by on September 30, 2018 in Scottish Mountains with 0 Comments

Since getting serious about hill walking in Scotland back in 2016, Lochnagar has always been one of those ‘must do’ munros with it’s it’s stunning dark beauty steeped in history, myth and folklore.

After focusing on the southern end of the Cairngorm plateau during the summer, this was my 3rd visit to the eastern Cairngorms as I continued to tick off this group of 13 munros to the east of Cairnwell. I did the 3 on the west side of the pass last July. Rather than a start from a car park just north of Glenshee ski centre, my 3rd visit started from the Spittal of Glen Muick. This trip entailed a longer, more challenging 19 mile hike with initial ascent of Lochnagar followed by a traverse across the Mounth plateau. These additional 5 took me to a total of 12 within the Cairnwell vicinity. The next trip would take on a final 2 munros a little to the south.

Day/date: Saturday 22 September, 2018

Munros: Lochnagar (No 64 to 68)

Start point: Spittal of Glen Muick car park

Drive length: 3 hours / 126 miles

Walk length: 19 miles / 9 hours

Weather: BASE: Clear 7C, windy @ 7.20am / SUMMITS Mostly clear, strong wind 2C, -5C wind chill

So one of my longest outings begins, taking in 5 munros over a 19 mile circuit.

Beautiful morning but the wind was shaking the car. I knew it was going to be a long day in the wind.

A long but highly rewarding day ahead!

 

 

Gaining height and wind is strengthening!

First glimpse of the steep and famous Lochnagar corrie and lochan. Winds were at their strongest here, easily sustained at 40+, gusts exceeding 60, maybe 70 mph. Tough to stand never mind walk.

Approaching the summit plateau.

Nearing the summit. Wind turned bitter here!

2 hours 30 minutes after leaving the car, I make it to the top of famous Lochnagar, elevation 3,791 ft! Feels great! More info on Lochnagar

2nd, fairly featureless 2nd munro of the day stands ahead.

Just under the hour from leaving Lochnagar, today’s 2nd of 5 is reached!

And munro number 3! This one is quite special given that there’s plane wreckage spread across the hill top from RAF Canberra which crashed here on 22 November, 1956! Reason for the accident which killed 4 was never known. Weather conditions were clear and good that evening.

Note the wreckage even in my summit selfie.

4th munro of the day!

5th and final munro of the day! Nice view of Loch Muick behind.

Now for the long walk back to the Spittal of Glenmuick car park.

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