Hill: Sgor Gaoith (The Windy Peak)
Type: Munro
Height: 1118m
Despite the countless times that I have driven the A9 today was a new adventure for me as I had never cut off from the A9 into Glen Feshie. Kincraig and surrounding area many times but not into the deeper heartland.
Once again in this miserable summer the forecast was on the depressing side with VP visibility, snow showers on the top all day, -15 degree predicted and gusts of 45-50 mph. Bearing in mind the top is on the precipice of a 600m straight down drop the wind forecast was the most concerning.
Only two other cars in the parking area suggested other people were concerned about the forecast.
The walk starts on the level through a beautiful tree laden section of Beech and Caledonian Pine forest getting the legs loose before committing to the climb ahead, it is after all over 1100m even by Munro standards it is a biggie.
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| That's it way ahead |
After crossing a burn the trees are largely disappearing and the opening views are impressive including the contouring trail we will be taking.
The clouds are low but we have not entered them yet, fingers crossed. Looking back Badenoch is in sunshine, nope not annoyed.
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| Thankfully clouds lifted once we reached the plateau |
We were following a pretty good track, slightly peaty and muddy at times but a good gradient with no difficulty.
At about the 850m mark the track takes a long right loop and U turn to get onto the plateau. The wind had been behind us helping us up the hill but thankfully not yet as strong as forecast. To negate the possibility of high winds on the plateau we decided to to leave the track at take a direct line up the hill. Much to the surprise of walkers coming behind who stopped for a check of the route before continuing on the track.
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| Solo guy |
A solo guy did come up past us on the slope but he did not navigate properly in the gloom and headed off the wrong way at the top. About 10 minutes later he sheepishly came past us again.
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| Clouds lifted quickly and the top appeared |
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| The summit |
The grass was short and although boulder strewn it was reasonable going. But it felt quite a long slog to the top. As we reached the plateau the cloud had descended but the shortcut meant we were very close to the summit. Initially in the gloom the cloud lifted and the craggy top was close by.
The track goes extremely close to the dramatic edge but you have to get very close to get the amazing views, with the gusts not as strong expected, but they were still there, so risk or reward views. I did stand a couple of feet back.
Looking down the green water of Loch Einich is stunning and vibrant but the snaps do not it justice. Equally enticing was the views across to the huge bulk of Braeriach and beyond, mightily impressive, again one of these vistas that only your own eyes will do it justice, not photos.
On the summit it was bitterly cold no shelter from the wind,including the frosted grass which strangely seemed to be growing pointing into the wind direction not against, highly unusual.
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| Wide plateau |
Looking back over the broad plateau it is easy to see how navigation would be very difficult in bad weather with potentially serious consequences.
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| Start of our descent, Lairig Ghru below |
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| A lot rougher than it looks, heading for that light green strip |
We decided to descend by first heading to the Munro top of Meall Buidhe but it was so cold we changed our minds and decided to go cross country to meet with the ascent track but this was a long way away over very awkward terrain. The Allt a chrom-alltain had green verges so we headed for it as it looked easier going. Indeed it was, not great, lots of hopping side to side but better than the other stuff. We found a very old stalkers track, the irony being the deer tracks now it was their route. Again this was better going until it started climbing so it was time for us to get off it. We could see a couple of people on the main track. I reckoned 10-15 minutes of very rough going would get us there. So off we went and with some relief we got there. By the way I was not the walk leader but it now seemed like it.
Once on the track it was a straightforward descent although it seemed a lot longer than the ascent. A glider appeared and reappeared many times very close to the ground at times but I am sure the pilot knew what they were doing.
Overall we were fortunate with the weather being better than forecast.
Walkhighlands describes it like this: ‘Sgòr Gaoith gives a superb, fairly short hill walk when approached from Glen Feshie. The ascent passes through some magnificent pinewoods before climbing the bare upper slopes to reach a vast plateau. The summit is extremely dramatic perched on the very edge of the vast broken crags that plunge down to Loch Einich; the views are superb.
Not a lot to add, a superb ramble with very interesting company, a good day out.
Ascent: 903m
Distance: 13.8km
Time: 5.55
Wildlife: Chaffinch; Red Deer hind; Red Grouse; Meadow Pipit;
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