Snow-free Glas Maol!

Creag Leacach and Glas Maol

12 February 2023

Thirteen of us (Sandy, Bob, Jane, Alan, Chris, John, Ken, Kenney, Moira, Alison, Sandra, Steve and Ruth), plus Dan, the collie, gathered in Braemar to review weather conditions and finalise the walk route. Agreeing that the weather was considerably better than the previous DHC outing organised by Ruth and Steve (see June 2022 blog for Achmelvich!) we drove to the viewpoint south of the Glen Shee ski car park at NO 140757.

Viewing the route over Creag Leacach and Glas Maol informed us that the weather was too spring-like for those of us hoping for a chance to use our crampons and ice axes! There was hardly any snow. Given the strong south-westerly wind we opted for an anti-clockwise circuit of these two Munros, initially following the stream south-east before turning south and heading up to the gap between Meal Gorm and the 943 top. We stopped enroute to the top for a coffee break, expecting the ridge to be very windy. However, with the wind on our backs the walk along the ridge from Creag Leacach to Glas Maol was very pleasant, with great views north-west into the Cairngorms and east into Caenlochan.

It was more difficult to find any shelter on Glas Maol for lunch, so after a quick break we headed down hill past the ski tows before turning and heading south down the Leacann Dubh ridge.