After discussing it for a while, and finally finding a time between, work, weather, and mid-morning coffee appointments, Fraser, @MM0EFI, and I were going to do Culardoch (GM/ES-015) and, the ever popular, Creag an Dail Bheag (GM/ES-088). We’d originally planned to go on the Monday, following a weekend of lovely spring weather, but our plans changed as quickly as the weather and we didn’t think 50-60 mph winds and snow was a good idea. Thursday looked to be the calmest of the week, and still within the winter bonus period.
I picked Fraser up on the way, him having cycled 5 miles from his house to the main road to meet me, and we headed to Keiloch car park in the Invercauld estate.
Our plan was to each activate one summit, then swap over and activate the other. They’re not quite equidistance from the intersection but with activating we could manage this. As always, I was working to a deadline to get back home in time for various kids activities and taxi duties, so no dillydallying. My schedule suggested it was about an hour to cycle, then 2 hours or so walking back and forth, 40 minutes cycle back plus activating time.
The route was cycling from the car park up to the intersection of the two summits, I’d do Culardoch first, whilst Fraser headed towards GM/ES-088. A short cycle along the road, then we turned off up a track in the trees. It was a steep start, and was a taste of what was to come on the rest of the cycle.
We continued on, through a couple of gates, and ever upwards. A brief moment of relief on a downhill section, but all the time thinking about coming back up it on the way home! The path is very good the whole way, although with the water from the snow melt, the fine sand/stones was like quicksand - or perhaps slowsand - as it was arduous to cycle through. After around an hour, we gave up on cycling uphill through the slowsand, and pushed the bikes most of the way to the junction.
The air was cold, and the wind was picking up a little as we reached the junction. The snow drifts were decent at this altitude. The route to Creag an Dail Bheag was mostly pathless, and whilst there is a path to Culardoch, much of it was filled with snow.
The weather was partially cloudy, some blue skies, but some low cloud. Culardoch was in the cloud but Creag an DB looked to be in the sun, although this changed all the time. We checked 2m frequencies, and the plan, and set off on our own ways. We did both get treated to horizontal snow on the way up, and when that stopped, then just a cold wind.
As I climbed up the cloud was thinning and I was hopeful of a sunny summit by the time I got there. Looking around the views were very good, and at times being able to see all the high peaks.
I knew it should only be about 30 minutes to the top from the bikes, but the hill seemed to just keep going, until at last the trig point appeared over the crest of the hill.
The wind was very cold and continuous, not too strong, but I was very grateful of the trig point to hide behind. My plan was to activate on HF, pack up and then wait for Fraser to reach his summit for a 2m S2S (although we should’ve done 70cm), and then head down and across. The trig point was promising for an easy mast mount, except for some previous visitors who decided to use it as a bin and jammed their rubbish and plastic bottle down the hole. I still managed to use it though.
Another part of our plan was that I’d do 40m and Fraser would do 20m on the summits, plus the potential S2S with Andy @GM6ZAK and Archie, GM4KNU, who were also out. I’d managed 10 on 40m, when I saw Andy’s spot, and so called him. We managed our QSO, and then Fraser popped up on 2m. So with our S2S done, I knew it was time to pack up and head across. The locals did call me on 2m but my bare hands were absolutely frozen at this point and I couldn’t bring myself to continue with it - we’d already had QSOs on 40m, so no-one was left out!
One done, one to go! 
I enjoyed the snow drifts on the way down, bounding along, sinking knee deep into the snow. This was then replaced with climbing the steep side of Carn Liath (the previous summit here: GM/ES-020). Once up on the plateau the hike is easier, although the amount of rocks does mean you need to watch your footing.
Here Fraser and I met and compared notes, and took a selfie (most important) and then wished each other well for the next summit.
With the change in summits by 1-2 m, the new summit is further to get to and it’s easy to lose track of the number of summit cairns you count on the way! Only from the map can you tell which is highest. When the cloud opened, you were rewarded with amazing views across to Ben Avon and Beinn a’Bhuird, and looking back I could see Culadorch and somewhere Fraser climbing up to the top. Fraser and I had a little chat whilst walking, just to make sure the other was still there for the complete.
Eventually I reach the summit, or one of two cairn summit points, and get setup on HF again.
40m was still reasonable for me and I had a steady stream of QSOs. There is a little shelter behind the rocks, but the wind was much calmer so the wind chill had dropped considerably. By this time Fraser appeared on the radio again, this time at the summit, and this QSO marked the moment of both of us completing our pair of completes!
I remembered I’d offered to try 2m to the locals, and Simon @GM4JXP and Mike @2M0WNA were both nice and clear on my Alinco and RH770.
Fraser had told me his mast had snapped at the top, supposedly from freezing between summits but also maybe from the rage of finding the plastic bottle in the trig point. 20m wasn’t great, but fortunately 2m was, and meant Fraser could qualify.
I packed up and started back towards the bikes. The wind had definitely dropped, and it was warm work walking back. Our timings worked out well, as we saw each other walking down towards to the bikes, and I arrived just a few minutes before Fraser did.
Winter woollies off; downhill racing gear on, and we headed back. It is only after hurtling down the track at 40-50 kph do you realise just how much of a climb you did on the way out. The memory was quickly returned when we hit the uphill section, complete with slowsand. We did pass a couple of older walkers, who still got a fright as we went by even though there was much bell ringing. Back through the gates and down the track towards the forest.
Whilst going down at, according to my watch, 28 kph, I tried to avoid a rock, but then my front wheel hit some smooth rock side on, and I went sideways and downways. Whilst I avoided the rock, I’d hit several others, and everything else on the ground. Remarkably limited injuries, except my nice walking trousers, and an apple in my side pocket 
, I got back on the bike. Fraser looked concerned but did comment he wish he had his GoPro on, as those videos get a lot more views. At a slightly more cautious speed, we continued down through the trees and back to the estate road. Again, greeted with some uphill sections, just to finish you off - this section is particularly painful after doing Ben Avon and Beinn a’Bhuird.
Back to the car, loaded the bikes and after 25 km, and 5 hours round trip, Fraser wasn’t looking for some extra at the other end and I dropped him at his house. Home for a nice cup of tea before back in the car again.
A good proper winter outing, and two more GM/ES off my list, thanks Fraser! 
aliexpress though…
