free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Oh what a difference waking up in a camper van than in a tent (see Moruisg and Sgurr reports). Proper coffee, a good night's midge free kip and a nice early start. Had no change for the car park but to our surprise the ranger office was open at this ungodly hour (7am) and we paid the nice lady there.
The walking is easy and Lochnagar was pretty straightforward given it's the steepest part. After posing a bit it was on to the next. Was feeling great and making good time.
![IMG_4801.jpeg]()
- Lochnagar
Stopped at burn between 2 & 3 and this is where my back pinged as I refilled my bottle. 'Oh' I thought. Well nowt for it but to go on. Had lunch at the top of the third and explored the old wreckage from the RAF Canberra. Some bits of stainless steel are still in perfect working condition.
![IMG_4828.jpeg]()
- The plane wreckage
![P1010854.jpeg]()
- Me and the hubster - fully protected against biting things
On to Cairn Bannoch. I was fine as long as I was walking but sitting down and getting up again was excruciating.
![IMG_4831.jpeg]()
- The long path
![IMG_4806.jpeg]()
- An idea of the path
The walk itself is easy going, just long but after Lochnagar, it's just a good old stretch of the legs with no great hardship. I was carrying way too much water because there are two well flowing burns between 2&3 to refill at.
![IMG_4834.jpeg]()
- The aptly named Broad Cairn
It took 3 hours from the car park to the top of Lochnagar, then another 3 hours to the top of Broad Cairn then 3 hours walk back. Yes it's a long walk back and we kept to the high route. The path zig zags down to the side of the loch and I was getting tired by now so slipped a couple of times on the gritty path.
My back was lowping by this time and as I write this, I'm awaiting a physio appointment. I've walked further distances and carried heavier rucksacks but I think a combination of both, along with two crap nights in a tent earlier in the week and walking at a quick pace was just too much for my hyper mobile old bones. I've made it to 151 Munros, I'm having a bit of a break now until this gets better. Dammit I was on a roll and my legs felt fine
