ski-touring in the Cairngorm Hills





ski-telemark.net

East Glen Shee Hills

East Glen Shee Hills
OS map : 36
start : Glen Shee skier car park (South)
gridref : NO141775
 Park at the main Glen Shee car park. Best to park at the south end which is less busy and gives easy access to the initial track. Payment is required for parking.
hills: Glas Maol
Cairn of Claise
Carn an Tuirc
summary : Glen Shee skier car park (South) - Glas Maol - Cairn of Claise - Carn an Tuirc. - Glen Shee skier car park.
distance : 15.0km.
ascent : 620m.
descent : 0m.
time : 6hrs. 0mins.
Snow on the East Glenshee Hills.

Snow on the East Glenshee Hills.

© ski-telemark.net

This tour starts at the Glenshee ski area and takes in the hills bounding the east side of the area. The hills hold snow well and provide some excellent skiing especially the descents. Once up to Glas Maol there is some fantastic skiing on the plateau and then down from Carn an Tuirc.

The ascent of Glas Maol starts at the S end of the car park. Follow the track up the unnamed top and then follow the boundary to Meall Odhar. Follow the county boundary around the SW side of the steep coire and arrive at the large flat summit of Glas Maol. The summit is marked with a trig point so easy to find. Despite the downhill skiing all around, this can be a peaceful place. (3.5km. 410m. 0m. 2hr.10min)

Leave the summit of Glas Maol and ski north to the col at NO169776. Now follow the boundary fence up the SW ridge of Cairn of Claise. The traverse from Glas Maol to Cairn of Claise is relativly flat and holds the snow well, providing great touring. (4.0km. 130m. 0m. 1hr.30min)

Ski north from the summit of Cairn of Claise and then turn slight westerly to descend to the col below Cairn na Turc. This is a great downhill run with some gentle skiing without any danger. An easy ascent to the summit of Cairn an Tuirc follows. (2.5km. 030m. 0m. 0hr.50min)

The best descend is to ski N then NE to the old ski tow, marked on the map as a hut. There is little left of this structure which may be totally covered in snow. It could be useful to use GPS to make sure the old ski tow is reached. Follow the line of the valley to descend, this holds the snow well. The snow will probably run out towards the bottom of the valley, so finally walk to the A93. A brisk 2km walk returns the skier to their transport. (5km. 50m. 0m. 1hr.40min)