Creag Bhalg & Craigendarroch

Creag Bhalg

The last day of the winter bonus in GM land, and so I was looking for places where I could do multiple summits - it doesn't matter which ones, as long as they're 2 or more points, as I'll probably visit them all this year. However, I also had to be back for school pick up and I don't think any of the pairs of summits left could be done in time. So I settled on Creag Bhalg and then do one of the one pointers on the way home. I'd chased Simon on here during the winter GM/ES activation day, and so it would be a good complete for me.

The suggested route has you park opposite Victoria bridge and walk over it - cars aren't allowed over - and this is quicker than parking at Linn of Dee or further along somewhere. It means you walk through the estate a little before crossing the road and starting the climb up the hill.

The path is clear and straight forward to follow the whole way to the top.

There is a nice cairn at the top for antenna mounting and also for sheltering from the wind, which was absolutely freezing today. Once I was setup, I could crouch down behind the cairn and started on 40m.

I had a nice steady stream on 40m, and once that died down I was cold enough and thinking about the schedule that I packed up and headed back down. The views were good, a little cloud, so not quite full panoramic views but enjoyable nevertheless.

The route back down was easy too and I was soon back at the car and getting ready to set off for my next one.

Craigendarroch

The second summit of the day. As the last day of the winter bonus it would've been good to do a 2+ pointer to get those extra three points, but I've done so many already that there aren't any left that I could do and still get back in time for school pick up. So I thought I'd tick this one off my list. I had been saving it to do with the kids but sometimes it's good to known the hill before you bring everyone with you!

It's a nice little hill in Ballater, and has many paths around and up it. I chose to take the shortest, but also steepest route up to the top. It is pretty steep! However, it doesn't take long and then you're at the top.

The summit is very nice, has everything you could want! A bench with a view, a cairn to climb on, trees a plenty, and lovely views of the village below, and the surrounding hills. On a good day, you'd get a very nice view of Lochnagar.

I set up a little way off the summit, using the trees to support my mast and the other end of the wire. It was a quick setup, and I was soon on the air. A quick run on 40m, including three summit to summits, plus a chat with Simon on 2m, meant I'd done enough in 15 minutes. Packed up and headed down the other side of the hill.

The eastern route around was much nicer to walk along and would recommend that way up as well, for a more gradual gradient. A nice little hill, and probably a good one for me to bring the family the next time, and then get a cup of tea or ice cream in the village afterwards!