778 Mona Gowan

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Parked at the high point of the Ballater-Corgarff road, and skied over a couple of smaller hills to get here. After three weeks of the snow being too soft and deep to go out in, it's all turned to ice. Typical. Still, it was fast going if not entirely under control. Met 3 other skiers at the top, one of whom took this picture. I also met the Sealy family who arrived at the parking place just before me, and left just after I got back, but who didn't go up either of the close challenge points (there's one on the west side of the road as well).

Dave

18/11/10 Sarah

Parked at the end of the forest track on the S Strathdon road near Culfork. Headed out along Glen Conrie and then on the big track up onto Scraulac. From there, along the tops to Mona Gowan, then back directly by the track north off the top. The weather wasn't too bad when I set off, but by the time I got up to 650m driving sleet set in for the next 30 mins or so. It was really unpleasant and I was struggling to stay warm. At one stage I had only one eye peeping out of my buff. A couple of stretches of the track were filled in with drifted snow too.The full circuit was just over 100', but less than 30' back from the top.







11/12/10 Gary and Dave

With snow melting fast we went looking for what was left and drove up the Gairnshiel road until it became blocked with snow.  We abandoned the car at the edge of the road and followed the linking patches of snow.  It was a bit like expeditions in the Arctic where they look for passages around crevasses - we were looking for passages around the bare heather.

Apparently we ended up on Mona Gowan.  Coming back Dave had sore quads from doing his cool looking telemarking turns. I had sore shoulders from falling over.  Great trip.