Walk 54 Corgarff to Keiloch via Loch Builg 14 -15 April 2012

The weather forcast nearly scuppered our plans for this weekend walk.
However,a few hardy souls plus one ageing Collie ventured forth to keep up the standards!

Corgarff Castle in back ground

Ian had volunteered to give us a lift round to Cock Bridge which was really appreciated especially as we were forced to make a large detour via Dinnet and Logie Coldstone due to the Gairnshiel bridge being out of action. We arrived  at Corgarfff on time to be met by Anne and her boisterous Spanielmix who was going to keep us company for some of the route.
We set off at 10:50 just in time to be hit by a steady northerly, jaw aching, blizzard of snow and hail...were we doing the most sensible thing? too late, the transport had already left!!and,to be fair, Ian had asked us if we wanted to change our minds. Also, the alternative prospect of three grown ups plus two dogs and two 55 litre ruck sacks all fitting into Annes Micra empowered us to walk on.

Loch Builg

Descending into Inchrory

By the time we arrived at Inchmore the weather had changed from hail to beautiful sunshine. We said our goodbys to Anne and Megan her dog and slogged on to Inchrory...The original plan was to cut across from Inchmore to Glen Builg at that point but it would not have been wise in the unsettled weather conditions we were experiencing. We arrived at the very well maintained lodge at Inchrory and turned south into Glen Builg passing the Linn of Avon on the right and onto Loch Builg where we followed the path on the east side of the Loch to set up camp at the ruins of Lochbuilg Lodge. Not before another snow storm engulfed us forcing us to take temporary shelter before pitching our tents. After a meal of Chicken Tika with rice and Chillie Con Carne and a wee dram it was sleep time!
There was a definite chill in the

Camp at Lochbuilg Lodge

Don't wake me!

air at 03:00... ice had formed on  the inside of the flysheet... My sleeping bag liner worked well and the dog wasn't phased at all..(he is a Collie!)

The fresh snow fall and the lowered temperatures in the morning helped us break camp at a reasonable time and we were back on the road by08:30.

Morning at Lochbuilg Lodge

With the wind and, sometimes snow, on our backs we made our way along the LR track running parallel to the River Gairn passing under the shadow of Culardoch where we saw a Golden Eagle souring away in front of us. On the descent we heard the chack chack call and saw the wild dashing flight of an early summer visitor the Ring Ouzel, over on the hills to the north a heard of Red Deer were making their way steadily up the hill and a startled Hare lept away in front of us in his newly grown summer coat. Then it was over to the Keiloch arriving at 13:00,  in good time, after a truly enjoyable and satisfying walk.

Ring Ouzel

Beinn a' Bhuird from the LR track

Braemar in sight