Booyacka! After a wee warm up on Bennachie the day before, I fancied something a little more tasty. The onerous drive from Aberdeenshire to Glasgow is always much better if driven via Braemar and there just so happens to be some hills over there. I drove down the wee road to Loch Muick and knew it was going to be a fine day. I actually felt a wee surge of adrenaline and excitement at the day's walking. The car park was chocca with folk no doubt heading for Lochnagar, which had looked amazing on the way to Ballater. I headed along the Loch Muick track and could see Broad Cairn in the distance. The Loch was amazingly still with not a breath of wind. It was still perishingly cold and I kept a good pace. I decided to head up the zig-zag path rather than walk the circuit path and up on to Broad Cairn. It wasn't long before my walk became high-level and I had a fine view down to Queen Victoria's retreat beside the Glas-Allt. What a fabulous place to reside. Tres jaloux. Ne'er mind, I pushed on and came across Sandy's seat; a wee bench beside a hut. I sat down and admired his view - rather serene. I began the final ascent up on to Broad Cairn and spotted my 2nd objective of the day not that far away - was it really a Munro? There didn't appear to be much up-and-down action (unlike Tiger Woods) however after a quick photo shoot of the crags and my 3rd objective in the distance, I walked on. The views just got better as I could see Braeriach et al in the distance. I clambered up on Cairn Bannoch and worked out my route over to Carn a'Choire Bhoideach. I skirted the bottom edge of Sagairt Mor and began a nice descent towards the burn. However, a wee icy bit of snow ensured a wee fall and I got to try out my ice-axe arrest. Nice to know it works in a slightly less serious situation. Should I don the crampons? I'd see how it was ascending the 3rd Munro. Nae too bad and while it was a struggle heading up on the summit, I got there. A rather flat and barren Munro with nae much character - not sure about the beautiful corrie tranlsation of the hill but heyho. I could now make out Lochnagar and it's cliffs. It would have looked amazing from Meikle Pap. I had to get going though and I began the walk down to the path via the Glas-Allt. Scared a wee feathered friend but it stood proud and accepted the offer of a photo. Time was pressing on and I was on texting duty to allay any fears. The Glencoe fatality the day before had made my other half a bit worried. Fair enough. The path down was treacherous in places due to ice. Care needed but eventually came back out on the land rover track and began the trek back. As the day wore on, the shadows lengthened and a pinky-orange tinge developed. The views back across Loch Muick during sunset were stunning and I could have stayed there for an age relishing the ever-changing hues. It was really breath-taking. What a fabulous day it had been.
