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The Forfar and District Hill Walkers Club The day started very well indeed – I didn’t sleep in
Club members met at 7am at the usual place and sharing cars, we headed on up to the Cairngorms. The morning was cloudy and cool but just before reaching Rothiemurchus, the sun suddenly sprang out of nowhere to dazzle us all. Arrived at the car park north of the Ski centre to be met by the lovely Caroline who provided us with a hot cuppa and tasty homemade (to die for) cake slices (many thanks).
Started the walk around 09.45 and ascended the Coir na Ciste. Great views, all be it hazy.
About two thirds of the way up, we came across a large herd of reindeer lolling about in the sun. It was an amazing site!!
Had to tear myself away...
By the time we reached the top, the hat had to come off exposing the sweaty flat hair that probably looked like it had been pasted to my head. As we headed around Cnap Coire na Spreidhe there were many folk skiing along the top and having a great time on the ski-tows. We reached the Cairn Gorm summit and had a well earned rest. After a ham buttie, I dived into the chunk of Dundee cake which I’d been thinking about since leaving home at 6.30 that morning
The summit
Views from the summit
Lunch time, thank god
We set off from the summit to walk round the top of the corries to Cairn Lochan. A couple from the group set off on their ski's. As they set off Colin had a “You’ve been framed moment” as he landed on his back side. No one was quick enough with their camera.. erm, I mean... no one was quick enough to run to his aid
(had my video camera in my bag as well ha ha), hope you’re okay...
There were lots of people doing their own favourite thing, ice-climbers, skiers, walkers, mountaineers and everyone looked happy as they said hello.
Not sure I would ever do stuff with ropes eeeakk!!
From here, we needed crampons and ice axe. I had my micro spikes but these would not have been enough on this bit and I felt better with the crampons (thanks Colin for the loan). The smile on my chops got even wider after this!
Me, go up there??
Looking back
At Cairn Lochan, we stopped for another short break where Graham offered around a delicacy I’d never even heard of before, much less tasted. Green peanuts
His nuts are definitely an acquired taste so I’d be warned if I were you, unless you want @ss-pickles, I’d stay well clear
The group
View to the south east
Came across a wee Snow Bunting preening himself.
On decent west of Coire an Lochan, it was time to get a bit serious with some training of self arrest. (Serious? yeah right
). The truth is, we all just wanted to enjoy bum slides down a cool steep bit. I couldn’t get going at first and had to do many bum hops to get myself started until eventually I slid about 6 feet squawking “
weeeeee” (I hope no one heard). With the trousers ruckling up to my knees exposing my rather bright, fluffy multi- coloured socks which I hoped to God no one clocked
I practised shoving the axe into the iced snow in an attempt to look professional and cool.
Keep my distance so no-one sees the socks
I bum-hopped down that
The descent down to the ski centre was hard going with the bouldery path and there was still the odd iced up patch which a couple of the group couldn’t help but go sliding again. There wasn’t enough of the patch for me to slide on – I would have bum hopped from top to bottom
.
Path, homeward bound
Looking back towards this beautiful place.
Arrived back at the ski centre around 4 pm and was lucky to get the next coach that was heading down to our car park although I held up the queue to the seats as every strap on the rucksack and poles got caught on the seat’s arm rests. I was glad to sit down. When back at the car park, everyone soon tucked into tea and cake as we sat having just had a mighty fine day.
The weather was pretty much perfect for walking and along with the cracking wild life the day was full of laughs and good conversation. One thing I’ll bring next time is the sun block... Face like a slapped aris today. Ha ha
The group are all very experienced hill walkers and were happy to share advice, stories and even their green nuts! Thanks to the group for a terrific and memorable day and thanks Ray for the lift there and back (big drink at the next meeting
).
It’s nice to walk solo sometimes, but when you get a first-class group to share your walk with, you just can’t beat it.
More pics here