Glenshee

Sunday didn't really happen, as I got lost trying to find Loch An Daimh, to climb Meall Buidhe. I ended up having a nice drive round Glen Lyon though!

Yesterday I headed over to the Glenshee ski area, packed up the rucksack and set off for an overnight stop. Looking at the map, Loch Vrotachan seemed a good place to camp.

I set off for the summit of The Cairnwell, one of the most easily accessible Munros, as the top is only about 250m higher than the A93 that runs below it. You could even cheat and take the single seat chairlift up! After The Cairnwell, I headed round the ridge to Carn a Gheoidh. I then had a decision to make. To carry on and bag An Socach, or head round to the loch for a lazy evening.

As the weather was so good, I headed down, crossed Baddock Burn and up the other side to An Socach (dumping my rucksack at the point that I would have to return to). The climb up to An Socach wasn't too bad, but the summit plateau seemed to go on forever.

The slog back up to Loch Vrotachan was hard work, and I was glad to finally find a suitable spot to pitch the tent. Because of the terrain, I ended up high on the ridge. This wouldn't have been an issue had the weather forecast been correct.

At around 5.30 this morning I was woken abruptly by heavy rain on the tent and the distinct sound of thunder. This I could live with, but the accompanying lightning was more alarming. I racked my brain to try and remember what I'd been told about camping in an electrical storm, to come to the conclusion that I'd never been told!

I packed my rucksack and waited for a break in the weather. As I peered out of the tent, I could see that the storm was directly overhead. After what seemed like forever, the rain stopped (albeit for about 2 mins!) and I packed the tent away and ran back to the car. I'm not sure what the staff in the cafe thought this morning when they found me on their doorstep waiting for them to open for breakfast!

(Technical Data: distance = 17km, ascent = 1100m)