37 Clicks and 4 Munros in the Cairngorms

[andrewdoggett]

A changeable forecast; the best of which seemed to be in the Cairngorms had me decided on a 20 km walk taking in Sgor Gaoith and Mullach Clach a'Bhlair... After the first kilometre or so on the road the track takes to the hillside through the forest; there is a good path underfoot and the going is easy.

The Foxtrots path up through the forest...

The climb to Sgor Gaoith was easy enough and I was feeling good on the plateau; enjoying the space and the fresh air. To the west I could see the first rainshower approaching - well changeable conditions in the Cairngorms was never going to see me survive without at least one soaking. Bring it on...

The summit of Sgor Gaoith

Me on the summit of Sgor Laoith with the valley immersed in the rain cloud that had just passed over...

Me on the summit of Sgor Laoith

The legs were feeling good; and I was enjoying the outdoors; so at this point I made the decision to extend my walk. A quick look at the map told me that Monadh Mhor and beinn Bhrotain were also doable in one fairly long circular walk; so off I set...

The view back toward Sgor Laoith from the grassy plateau

The going was easy; largely over grassy plains and it felt good to be outside; taking it all in without a soul in sight.

View back toward Sgor Laoith from the summit of Tom Dubh; one of the remotest mountains in the country

And the scenery just got better and better; looking toward Carn Toul...

Dwarfed on Tom Dubh (918m) by the massive Carn Toul...

One of many river crossings...

The view down the valley...

And all the while; the soakings kept coming; heavy rain showers arriving with the predicability of the sun rising each day...

The next rain shower...

And after the latest soaking; from the top of the Monadh Mhor; the views just got better and better; and even more expansive...

The Cairngorm Massif - Braerich; through Carn Toul; and the dEvils Point making up the foreground in this epic view

The hop skip and a jump over to Beinn Bhrotain is fairly easy going; first on grassland and then a good path and the views forward; and backward alike are equally stunning...

Looking forward from Monad Mhor to the summit of Beinn Bhrotain.

The view back to Monad Mhor; with Braerich in the distance...

And that was the outward trip complete; just the small matter of getting back to contend with now... A fairly long one hour hailstorm saw me all the way to Mullach Clach a'Bhlair and had me cursing when I looked up and took a painful beating on the nose from a rather large stone... Other than a huge herd of wild deer in the valley there wasn't much to report on the way over; I took the track descent to the valley and the final walk along the river through gorgeous old pines was beautiful; although the legs were feeling it a bit by now!!

The walk back along the river through the old pines...

As ever; the route...

2011 - 06 - 30 - Sgor Gaoith.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

And the stats...

A leisurely 37.4 clicks in 9 hours and 20 mins :)

And some wee video clips of the walk that may give more of an idea than the photographs...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkm9d0NuEq8[/youtube]

[monty]

Nice one Andrew. Looks like prime running country. Still a big walk though with some great pictures

[victoriajarrett]

think you need to speak a little louder babe never mind, first voice-over - room for improvement...

[iainwatson]

nice report,eyeing this for saturday although i'm thinking more 11-12 hrs for me which with 3-4 hrs drive before and after maybe too much.....

[Bod]

Great stuff Andrew, you are obviously feeling well fit the noo! Love the video ending with the herd of deer...

[Merry-walker]

Good one Andrew, great to get deer on camera. Great report and photies. You've certainly been getting up loads of hills

[Johnny Corbett]

Nice one Andy

think you need to speak a little louder babe never mind, first voice-over - room for improvement...

Woman allways find a slight flaw somewhere eh

That video clip could be your first steps to stardom, with your own hillwalking show. Time to step down Cameron Mcneish

[Frogwell]

Sunrise at 08:12 and Sunset at 16:49 at the end of June?

I'm thinking your magic box is telling you lies!

[andrewdoggett]

nice report,eyeing this for saturday although i'm thinking more 11-12 hrs for me which with 3-4 hrs drive before and after maybe too much.....

It's good terrain - you should be okay. The powers that be say it''s quicker to return over Monadh Mhor if that helps, and you'd lose less height, but I think a full circle is a better route...

Sunrise at 08:12 and Sunset at 16:49 at the end of June?

I'm thinking your magic box is telling you lies!

Acht, we've been through this

The tell tale red cross means I took this picture at home where in my study there's no GPS reception, so it defaults to the default setting... 101 km from the start as the crow flies, I'll do a Sat Map Masterclass sometime

[Cuil Lodair]

.

Sunrise at 08:12 and Sunset at 16:49 at the end of June?

I'm thinking your magic box is telling you lies!

Acht, we've been through this

The tell tale red cross means I took this picture at home where in my study there's no GPS reception, so it defaults to the default setting... 101 km from the start as the crow flies, I'll do a Sat Map Masterclass sometime

Andrew, why not just take a Satmap Screenshot right at the end of your walk instead of waiting and that would save any further confusion?

You will know this already, of course, but for other users who may not.....
To take a Screenshot, press and hold the backlight boost button for three seconds.

[andrewdoggett]

You will know this already, of course, but for other users who may not.....
To take a Screenshot, press and hold the backlight boost button for three seconds.

Errr and in a change of plan Cuil Lodair will be delivering the Sat Map Masterclass...

Thanks for the tip; note to self, must read manual, must read manual...

[Frogwell]

Sunrise at 08:12 and Sunset at 16:49 at the end of June?

I'm thinking your magic box is telling you lies!

Acht, we've been through this

Maybe so, but I'm going to point it out on your next trip report too

[thufferin succotash]

You will know this already, of course, but for other users who may not.....
To take a Screenshot, press and hold the backlight boost button for three seconds.

Errr and in a change of plan Cuil Lodair will be delivering the Sat Map Masterclass...

Thanks for the tip; note to self, must read manual, must read manual...

Hey, thanks CL for that tip, been trying to figure that one out for ages ... knew it must be possible but as usual I've tried to run before I could walk. Like Andrew ... definite case of must RTFM before using the kit.

Trouble is, you've definitely let yourself in for a full time job .... as Walk Highlands Satmap Expert

Apologise in advance if I become a nuisance with my "CL, how do I do this ..." PM's Cheers

[Smooghead]

This was a great walk - I completed it yesterday (24/5/22).

However - a few points for future walkers to note.

The river crossings are not easy - many don't have large boulders to hop across, so its boots off and wade !

The end of the walk has changed significantly since 2011. Towards the end of the walk, the GPX route takes you down into Glen Feshie, to walk along the river. That track no longer exists, as the river has eroded the track for a good distance. I tried to use it and it cost me about 30 minutes before I headed back to see where the earlier track headed to. A new track has been constructed (second right toward the end of the track) but its not signposted. That new track will take you back toward the Achlean Croft which you then skirt around to get back to the car park.

[goat_allu]

This was a great walk - I completed it yesterday (24/5/22).

However - a few points for future walkers to note.

I wish I'd read these before doing this