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The missionary returns

PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2011 1:10 pm
by Stainless
A weekend in Aviemore arranged for the return of Johnny Mac, on leave from his missionary work in Uganda lasting for three years.Travelled up from Killie after work on friday night and had few beers and food at Winkin Owl listening to tales of bandits and safaris from Johnny. Met John Hewitt who all Dons fans worship for that goal. Saturday was a brilliant,warm October day and we started from ski lift carpark. Followed service road to Ptarmigan as the guys wanted to see the funicular and after top of Cairngorm dropped to walk rim of Coire an t-Sneachda.
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three on Cairngorm
It was here that the missionary rediscovered his fear of heights :shock: and walked well away from the edge and could not look down into the corrie.
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close enough to the edge Johnny?
After topping Stob Coire an t-Sneachda followed path out to Ben Macdui and went over to rocky edge to get good view down into Lairig Ghru and of Garbh Coire(well three of us did anyway).
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Ian and Chaffy and Braeriach
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rough corrie
Contoured back to path for Lurchers Crag and just after March burn headed straight to top of Cairn Lochan to enjoy the fantastic cliff scenery.
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no missionary in sight
Took path down into Coire an Lochain with great views of cliffs all way and then back to car.
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Coire an lochain
Nice easy day in great weather with good views,patter and finished off with more beer. :D
Sunday we parked at punch bowl carpark on ski road and took path through Chalamain Gap to join Lairig Ghru. Had fun boulder hopping and scrambling in Gap and walked to Pools of Dee for some lunch where after surveying the scene around him John suggested we make plans to go out to Africa and climb Kilimanjaro as he often saw it and could get us cheap digs. Nice suggestion for a guy with a phobia. Took path back towards Coylumbridge and branched off past Rothiemurchus Lodge to arrive at Loch Morlich. Walked south shore to ski road just below car park. 23km 8hrs 844m :)
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wee white beasties
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chalamain gap
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not as sunny today guys