An Socach

After sucessfully bagging Clisham last summer, Herbie was keen to get his teeth into something bigger and more challenging. With the time fast approaching, a few weeks ago I was a little concerned with the large amount of snow on the ground. But in the last few weeks, the temperatures had risen dramatically and spring was now in the air. I had set our sights on An Socach, near Glenshee in the Cairngorms. It was one that I hadn't done before and I mainly picked it because it looked quite a straightforward day and there weren't any slopes on the map that looked particularly steep.

Herbie on the bridge at the entrance to Baddock with Sgor Mor behind, Cairngorms

Red Deer on the side of Coire Fhearneasg, Cairngorms

We left Edinburgh before 7:30am and were walking by 9:30am - we made good time on the roads without the traffic. We parked by the bridge at the side of the A93 at the head of Glen Clunie. Looking around, the hills were black and the ski runs were very patchy and far from complete; I was quite shocked at just how quickly the thaw had taken place. I was beginning to regret only packing my winter boots and leaving my lighter summer ones at home.

Looking Northeast back down to Baddoch from Coire Fhearneasg, Cairngorms

Looking West up to the main ridge from Coire Fhearneasg, Cairngorms

We crossed the bridge and set off up the track past the old farmhouse in Baddoch Glen. We made good progress along the track and we raced along chatting and enjoying the clear skies and mild weather. After about 4km we arrived at the Alt Coire Fhearneasg and, after crossing it (needing walking poles to do this), headed up the gentle slopes of Coire Fhearneasg. We were still yet to encounter any snow and I was keen for my Dad to get a taste of what it was like walking in it. The guide books suggest following a worn path up the East shoulder to gain the summit but I had other ideas. From the map, I could see that we could continue up the more gentle slopes of the corrie to the bealach just North of the main ridge and I could see from looking up that it still had a generous amount of snow covering it.

Looking Northeast back down to Baddoch from a snowy An Socach ridge, Cairngorms

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As we neared the bealach, we finally got stuck into some snow - allbeit quite thin and 'crispy' on top. To make things interesting, the ground was mostly peat hag and covered in heather: not at all uniform underfoot. Herbie had a great time laughing at me leading the way and falling through the snow into every hole possible, while I was not ammused...

Heading up to the An Socach ridge through the snow, Cairngorms

Herbie enjoying the snow with the Northern Cairngorms behind

On reaching the bealach, we were treated to spectacular views North into the Northern Cairngorms - still quite snowy but clearly thawing. I pushed on and kicked steps as Herbie followed behind; cursing more and more with every step he took. One final push saw us at the first stoney top admiring the views all around. Herbie was delighted to hear that the climbing for the day was now finished and all we had to do was dander along the wide ridge to the actual summit.

Herbie working hard in the snow to gain the An Socach ridge, Northern Cairngorms behind

Looking West along the An Socach ridge, Cairngorms

We soon got there and celebrated with the traditional father and son embrace at the small wind shelter made out of stones. The wind had now picked up and we were getting blown around a little so we didn't hang around too long - but the view was truly spectacular and uninterrupted all around. We retraced our steps to the col halfway along the main ridge and then followed the Allt Boruiche back down to the main track and back towards Baddock.

Looking South from the summit of An Socach, Cairngorms

Looking East back along the An Socach ridge, Cairngorms

Herbie was over the moon to have bagged his first Munro and was beaming all the way back to Edinburgh. I was really pleased with how the day had gone and it was great that Herbie got to experience some snow (what was left of it). A fantastic day.

Herbie and I on the summit of An Socach, Cairngorms

Looking Southwest to Creag Easgaidh on the descent from An Socach, Cairngorms

Heading along the track back down to Baddock at the end of the rainbow, Cairngorms

Red Deer, Cairngorms

Baddock with Creag nan Gabhar behind, Cairngorms