Beinn Mheadhoin GM/ES-005 and Beinn a'Chaorainn GM/ES-011

A period of family business (son’s wedding and such like) meant getting out to the hills was not possible, however I could still hatch plans…

Fraser was needing chases to give him completes on the GM/ES hills, so I had a fine reason to go up to the Cairngorms.

GM/ES-005 and it’s neighbour GM/ES-011 were chosen. Distance from home meant at least one night away and since the weather is still good, I chose to high camp next to Loch Etchachan - last time I was there would be in 1982! It’s an area of big hills…


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So a high camp at 900m then up to 005 at 1182m , activate, back down to 600m, then up to 1082m oh and the small matter of the 14km walk in. It was however, a very pleasant walk in, Glen Derry has some lovely stands of Caledonian pine forest, the air was still and warm for the walk in (and out).

I camped by the loch - had a good night, no rain minimal midge population because of a slight breeze.
The forecast for Friday was not hopeful, the Met Office giving strong winds on summits, thankfully those did not appear although the fog at altitude did.
A nice early start got me in place for the time agreed by Fraser @MM0EFI and we had a good S2S on 2m FM. Only other FM contact was with Chris down in Braemar. There being no further takers, I set up for HF. That wasn’t hugely successful either, perhaps the bands not in good shape. Hill was qualified though, so much thanks to all who managed to decode my morse and send replies slowly (and often) enough for me to get written down. @2e0agb Allen, thanks for confirming everything at the end, I blame the mist (the one in my head that is…)


GM/ES_005 summit tor


Loch Etchacan peeking through the mist on descent.

A not very speedy descent into the valley and reascent to @GM/ES-011 followed. Fraser was needing to get on with life, so was wrapping up on his second summit but we kept intouch and worked successfully right on his time limit (tbf I was 1 hr behind my estimate…)

2m again not so active, 1 qso with Fraser and then MM7MHY down in Edinburgh - he asked what I was using, so I replied 5W into a Slim Jim - however on checking later , I discovered I was on “Low” power ie 1W - maybe why others weren’t hearing me… ah well - there must be a nice gap in the hills down to Edinburgh from that summit!!
HF was called upon again with @G4IVV first to suffer my morse!
Thanks to everyone who managed a qso!


005 from 011 - best view I had of the summit all day!


Frogs on Summits?


The long walk out…

On the way north I stopped off at the Glen Shee cafe/visitor centre - usually I am too early or late for it, but the cakes were good and this pecan tart and clotted cream was really good. I suspect my cardiologist would have something to say about the quantity of clotted cream, but surely I walked it off?

Equipment used, Wouxon KG-UVDP1 hand-held with slim jim. HF is a Venus SW-3B into an end fed wire.

Thanks for reading.

Alan

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Your CW was great Alan, lovely character and word timing, very easy copy.

Hope to hear you on the key again soon!
73,
Jonathan

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Thanks for the two Completes, Alan. Eight to go!

Very nice report - it’s a bit of a slog climbing 11 after descending back into the valley!

I was listening out on 2m, but couldn’t hear you…or Fraser…or Chris.

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Indeed, I also missed the path on the way up :frowning:

Just in case anyone else is planning this hill, note there are some small marker cairns which highlight some broken paths on the flank of the hill, these lead up to the top of a bluff and there is a path runs northwards till it intersects another path which goes nicely to the summit (although it disappears in the boulder field for a spell)

Follow the down arrows not the up ones!

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I think Alan took the more sensible and longer route (when carrying a tent), by following the footpath down past the Hutchinson hut to the glen and then took the path up to Ben a’Chaorrain.

Sounds like you’re saying his route was easier and, by Alan admitting to his easy route as being a slog, that Alan might be questioned the next time he tries visiting ES. :eyes:

Never! As long as he’s adding to my Complete.

If I’d dumped some of the weight and paid proper attention to the route, it would have been OK :wink:

I am aware of Fraser’s “Direttissimo” route selections.


Not the best photo of it, this little stream in the centre runs as white water for about 300m vertical - gives an indication of the steepness of the slope “direct” off Beinn Mheadhoin. It must be an impressive sight after heavy rain.

A

Edit: spelling

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Nice one Alan. some cracking photos. Thanks for your patience in the CW contact, although it was hard for you there the conditions here were really terrible but we got there so a big Thank You.
Best 73
Allen

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