Training Log Archive: SarahD

Arrived at Loch Muick car park in a whiteout and -0.5C. Sat in the car for a few minutes deciding what to do, by which time it started to brighten up and plan A was on the cards again. Cycled round the loch to the block of trees at the foot of the Glas Allt, then headed on foot up towards the Dubh Loch (cp37). From there carried on up the glen beyond the big crags before striking north up the hill towards Carn a Choir Bhoidheach. Into the snow by this stage which was difficult - very variable in depth and mostly quite soft. Disappeared down a few holes before getting firmer footing as I climbed higher. Quite a few mountain hare and ptarmigan on this side of the hill, and also what I think was a dotterel (didn't get quite close enough but shape and size were right). Now into the cloud and glad that I'd thrown a compass in at the last minute. Found the summit of Bhoidheach and from there took a careful bearing to the Stuic (cp36). Thankfully found it before the nearby dodgy looking cornice. Then it was across the plateau (at a sensible distance from the edge) to contour below Lochnagar to the Glas Allt track. Snow was quite deep across here making for slow going, then I lost my right leg through a snow bridge over the source of the Glas Allt, jarring my left knee into my chest. More hard going before meeting the Glas Allt track and an easier run back off the hill. Stopped for the photo at the foot of the falls (cp39), then back to the bike. Glad to see it by this stage.
Turned into a bigger day out than I anticipated, but I was actually really lucky with the weather in the end, and the run had a good proper mountain feel to it. Fun :-)

To the foot of the Glas Allt and back after - rather more slowly.