We are staying at Nakiska for the long weekend and Emiy's birthday. My ankle is feeling better and is almost back to full range of motion - but I am still reluctant to put it to a full test in stiff winter boots. In theory my ankle would be better off and well protected in my Scarpa Mantas but I am just a little weary and nervous about further injury after being out of action for so long. Also, it seems that winter is hanging around quite well so hopefully there will be a chance to do a couple of things in early March when my ankle is even stronger.
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| Looking North towards Loch Insh from Torbreck, Inshriach Forest |
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| Emily's boots in the snow, Inshriach Forest |
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| A partly-frozen Uath Lochan, Inshriach Forest |
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| A partly-frozen Uath Lochan, Inshriach Forest |
So, the purpose of this weekend is to chill out and relax for Emily's birthday but the weather was looking like it would be rather splendid today so we both felt we should get outdoors and make the most of it. There was a lot of snow on the ground, as we fully experienced on the A9 on the drive up last night(!), and I didn't want to push things too much so a relatively low-level walk seemed like the sensible option. I glanced over the map and quickly decided that we should head into Glen Feshie. I had spotted a forest walk in one of the guidebooks that began at Balnacraig farm and wound it's way through the Inshriach Forest to the small summit of Creag Dhubh.
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| Heading around Uath Lochan in the snow, Inshriach Forest |
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| A partly-frozen Uath Lochan, Inshriach Forest |
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| Emily and I at the summit of Creag Dhubh, Inshriach Forest |
It was a lovely day out in the fine weather and was a harder slog through the snow than I had imagined. There was a magnificent spot on the shore of the partly-frozen Uath Lochan and there are surprisingly good views in all directions from the summit of Creag Dhubh. In the absence of the snow, the circuit would be a great burn for the mountain bike along the forest trails.
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| Badger footprints in the snow, Inshriach Forest |
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| Badger footprints in the snow, Inshriach Forest |
An unexpected bonus to a great day out was stumbling upon a trail of badger tracks in the snow through the forest - amazing!
