Cairn Leuchan and Pannanich Hill from Ballater
January 12th 2025
12 of us met up at the Ballater Main Car park at 0930h just in time to meet the Cults Hillwalking Club disembarking from their bus. After some socialising with them and a few late Happy New Years we set off for the Bridge of Muick and the start of the track up to the bothy. Although the temperatures were still subzero as they had been all week the wind at this stage was light. Therefore, we were soon all stopping to take clothing layers off.
The track was filled with snow but fortunately a vehicle had been up before us, so we gratefully followed its tracks.

As we approached the bothy, Jane separated off to do a shorter walk up Craig Vallich.
By this stage we could look across to an impressive snow covered Lochnagar and Coire Dubh.

 Soon after we reached the bothy for a welcome and cosy coffee stop.

Braving the cold again and now the noticeable breeze, we reluctantly left the shelter of the bothy and gathered for ascent of the track to Cairn Leuchan.

Unfortunately, at this stage our vehicle tracks had given out, so from now on we had to take turns breaking trail. Despite this we soon reached the top of Cairn Leuchan where the strengthening wind meant that after only a brief photo stop we started east off track along the broad ridge leading to the Head of Garbh Coire.

Breaking trail was becoming hard work, so we contoured round to meet the Firmounth path rather than sticking to the main ridge. Once we met the Firmounth path, conditions remained challenging as we were still having to break trail and the path in the snow was indistinct. However, the direction was obvious, and we soon picked up the main track contouring around Craig Vallich. At this point it was lunchtime. As wind had picked up, a subgroup found a grassy mound to shelter behind whereas the rest of us toughed it out beside the path.
The snow on the trail did not let up and we were walking on heather beside the trail as much as the filled in track. As we regained the main path round to Pannanich Hill the final cairn came into sight. Reaching the cairn, we had another quick photo spot in the wind.

We then started our descent following previous tracks which made going a lot easier although a bit slippy. We followed the track into the forest and round to the gate in deer fence taking us on the trail back to Ballater, admiring Bridge of Muick House as we regrouped. The next part of the footpath which is normally very muddy, was just frozen enough to transit without getting wet or muddy although temperatures were now around +6C.  Soon we were back in Ballater after an invigorating tramp in the snow, covering just over 16km and nearly 700m of ascent. Our wildlife spots for the day were 2 deer on the skyline several grouse.
Alison
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