free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
My plan was to walk 4 Munros solo at Loch Treig - as Saturdays forecast was looking good:)
Gear packed and route sorted.....it was then Sidewinder contacted me to suggest a route and would i be up for walking with him as he would be bagging his 100th Munro. Well i couldn't let a fellow Big Bagger down and after some elimination we settled for 4 Munros in the Cairngorm starting at Linn Of Quioch.
Met Gordon in Livingston at 6am, shoved my bike and gear into the back of his transit van (my sleeping quarters from our Fannichs walk) and off we went. Joining us on the trip would be Herman the Springbok (he certainly didnt move like one
) and David who likes a big route or two
Our route would start, and end, with a 6k cycle through the Glen Quioch followed by a 33k walk.
Park cars/vans just before this wooden bridge at the end of the road well passed the Linn of Dee car park.
Get on your bike and take the path heading West just before the bridge - follow this NW for 6k.
After 6k the road meets the river. Leave your bikes here
Cross the river and continue on foot
The path is good and heads West for 4k, navigation is simple - aint that right guys
This is a really nice walk by the river and through woodland however it soon opens up and after 4k it winds round to strike North into the open landscape.
Views NW to Coire na Ciche
Follow the path for 4k and head up the SW face of Carn Eas
The pull up Carn Eas is the hardest part of the route due to being steep and pathless. Most other walkers followed the path to reach Ben Avon, but this way was quicker
View South from the slopes of Carn Eas
Carn Eas
From Carn Eas you walk across the plateau NE 2k to reach Ben Avon
Being out in front i looked behind to see Sidewinder motoring across the plateau, new leki poles in hand, and heading for Ben Avon....he was like a man possessed
We reached Ben Avon 3.5hrs after setting off.
Sidewinder had reached the magic milestone of 100 Munros
Gordon (sidewinder) had done Ben Nevis years ago but only took up bagging Munros 6mths ago.
His next Munro would be his 100th in 6mths
The old boy sure can move - must be them Leki poles
Ben Avon
Sidewinder on Avon (Munro 100)
Herman & David soon joined us and we stopped for some food. Due to the rampant midge we ate whilst running around to keep the little **** at bay! This was the only issue we had with the midge....the Cleg was another matter!! At some point we all got bitten and had blood trickling from some part of our body, thank goodness i was wearing tackle protection
Folow a path SW for 1k then West for another 3k to reach Munro No 2 Beinn a Bhuird
The summit of Beinn A Bhuird is soon reached - Sidewinder enjoying his 100th Munro in 6mths.
Reaching Munros 3 & 4 would be across pathless undulating peat bogs with thick tufty grass - luckily it was mostly dry.
From Beinn A Bhuird head West for 3k then NW for 2k to reach the summit of Munro No 3 Beinn a Chaorainn
Summit poses on Beinn a Chaorain - Munro No 3.
Reaching Munro No 4 Beinn Bhreac is similar to the previous trek to No 3.
This was 5k South over the peat bogs with the last 1k more pleasant. I would not have liked to do this if it had been raining, what a slog this would be....bad enough in dry conditions
View back North to Munro No 3 - Beinn A Chaorain
The last 1k was over some rocky terrain but wsnt difficult
The sun shone brightly as we reached Munro No 4 of our trip - Beinn Bhreac
A group photo to finish....
We still had a 4k to reach our bikes. Head south 2k and take in the top of Meall an Lundain. From here head SE for 2k to pick up the path which will take you to the bikes. The final descent to reach the path was torture as it meant plowing through 3ft high heather with conditions underfoot not the greatest due to large holes everywhere....we fell a few times.
When at the bikes we took 10minutes to get the boots (trail runners for me) and socks off and dip our feet in the river, total bliss
The 6k cycle to the finish was ubertastic, what an adrenalin rush....i loved it
A great way to finish a big day out.
Thanks to the guys for some good company and great banter,
Herman never ceases to amuse with his stories of crazy nights out
David was great for his gadgets info
And well done Gordon for reaching 100 (now sitting at 103)
We headed to Braemar for a pint before setting home....
Got to Glasgow at 11pm, as is usual with these big days, but another great day out wandering the hills
