Cannich Trip Report December 2001

Most recent trip report New Year, 28th December 2001 - 3rd January 2002

Again we chose to drive up to the highlands on one of the snowiest days of the winter. Traffic news was telling us of more and more roads closing and that over 12 inches of snow had fallen in Aberdeen city centre in a couple of hours! Fortunately the A9 remained open, if very busy and slow. The road from Drumnadrochit over to Cannich was passable only with care having completely snowed over. The fire in the hostel common room was very welcome.

Saturday 29th December We woke the next morning to find even more snow had fallen and that the roads were almost impassable. Two groups walked, both derectly from the hostel. The larger of the two tackled Sgorr na Diollaid. The weather worsened through the morning with snow showers and spin drift driven on the wind. We finally made it to the summit as the weather cleared, giving far reaching views over mist in the valleys to the north and east.

The second group tackled Beinn a' Chairein between Glen Cannich and Strath Glass. They climbed up through the forests on the lower slopes of the mountain and reported waist deep snow around the summit.

Sunday 30th December The roads up Glens Cannich and Affric were still impassable so again two groups walked and climbed summits in immediate reach of Cannich. One group climbed Carn Gorm to the north of the village. The second takled Beinn a' Chairein, climbing up through the forest as light snow fell. This time the group decended to the west and returned to Cannich on forest tracks as the sun set spectacularly behind them.

Monday 31st December At last the roads up the Glens became passable. We drove up Glen Affric and two groups walked. One group climbed Toll Creagach from a point halfway along Loch Mheadhoin. The weather deteriorated through the morning and it began to sleet and snow by lunchtime. The group struggled somewhat in deep thawing snow to find the summit shrouded in cloud. This cleared a little to give fleeting views whilst they sheltered in the Kisu for lunch. The second group climbed Carn Loch na Gobhlaig from near Dog Falls. The route was initially easy going on a good track in the forest which disappeared under snow once we climed above the trees.

We visited Meallan na Ceardaich on the way for the views up Glen Affric. We arrived at the summit just as the lunchtime snow showers cleared giving fine views over Glen Cannich and Loch Mullardoch. The return trip was punctuated by a stop to build a snowman in a forest clearing.

The evening (and a great deal on money) was spent in the Glen Cannich hotel.

Tuesday 1st January

As is customary, more nursing of hangovers than walking was done. Some people went on a sightseeing trip to Drumnadrochit and Castle Urqhart. Some people did eventually set off for a wander through the forests to watch the sunset from Creag Liath.

Tuesday 1st January Again, two groups walked, this time from the Loch Mullardoch dam at the end of the Glen Cannich road. The first group set off to climb Carn nan Gobhar via it's south top Mullach na Maoile. The group turned back short of the summit due to failing dalight (and joints!)

The larger group tackled Sgurr na Lapaich. Walking initially along the lake shore, we them climbed alongside the Allt Taige in deep powder snow and under clear blue shies, the rising sun bathing the summits in pink light. We crossed the burn and headed up the ridge to reach point 972 just after lunch. We got as far as the south top (Sgurr nan Clachan Geald) before turning back due to high winds and time getting on. Yet another fantastic sunset, this time seen over the Glen Sheil summits from a bit too high up the mountain...! We finished the day up walking back along the lakeshore in darkness.

The weather was kind to us in Cannich and we all had a good time, but we decided it was definately more of an Easter trip destination. At Easter, there's a couple of extra hours daylight which really would have helped us, especialy with some of the big walks in and out that are required to reach the more remote hills at the head of the glens. Besides, an Easter trip would take the edge off the cold in the hostel!

The second half of this trip went to Laggan in the upper Spey Valley.