What an awful night at Ballater campsite. Knowing we had an early rise we went to bed early. Banging car doors kept us awake then someone had a fireworks display with great bangs everywhere. Just when the camp went quiet some yobs from a neighbouring tent came in drunk and sat talking and laughing loud until about 3.00. Despite this we were up at the crack of dawn, between five and six. The trip to Glenshee was quicker than expected and we started the climb early. There is a bulldozed track to the right of the ski lifts leading directly up the mountain, up and down until eventually it leaves the ski slopes behind. There were mountain hares everywhere, the hills around here seem to favour them. The top comes quickly as the path moves up onto a very large plateau or dome. It was then just a walk across the dome a few hundred yards to the cairn. This was guarded by a sheep which has obviously been spoiled by tourists and was a real pest. It simply would not leave, even when I poked it with my stick. Graeme eventually gave it some chocolate or something. Several other people arrived so the sheep was able to move off and pester them. Nice views from this hill and you can see right over to the North Sea. But again the views are not photogenic as everything is so far away.
No problem in finding this hill even in thick mist as there is a wall leading virtually all the way from Glas Maol. As it was the weather was o.k. but clouds had built up and a few showers had started. The walk was no more difficult than walking on the South Downs, a pleasant stroll up and down. Towards the top it got rockier right up to the cairn. Actually the top is little more than a bump on the ridge with the cairn just stuck against the wall. Another couple stopped a few metres on while others just passed by, obviously uncaring about this poky little hill. Sandwiches and Guinness then over to the next little top and down to a saddle. Actually Graeme took a different route and almost went the wrong way until he saw me and got then on to the right track. From the saddle and over a hump and the usual long walk down towards the
road. No path and Graeme was really suffering. We eventually reached the road after a dip and rise. Then was a long walk of about a mile and a half uphill all the way to the Ski Centre. Another nice trip, although some rather boring hills. After this hill straight into the car and back home to Maidstone.
