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After the horrendous gales and rain I had been keeping an eye on the weather forecast all week and when the MWIS predicted 6 to 12 hours of thaw on the mountains on Thursday night with a hard overnight frost on Friday night, it made sense to try and tackle Beinn Bhreac and Beinn a’ Chaorainn as the traverse to the second munro can be very boggy!
So a final decision to attempt these 2 was made at 4pm on Friday with mgmt! deciding to accompanying me.
We left Glasgow at 740pm and the drive through Glenshee was frightening with lots of snow, ice and numerous deer and white hares running onto the roads in front of the car. We managed to avoid the deer but did unfortunatley hit a wee white hare. Mgmt! did well to get us to Linn of Dee carpark in one piece for just after 1030pm. A couple of glasses of wine were required to help prepare for the kip in the back of the car.
Following the sign for Glen Lui we set off through the woods at 830am and along the icy track on our bikes! I think I fell off my bike at least 3 times heading there and 10 times on the way back! Mgmt! managed at least one fall that I seen.
There were lots of good tyre tracks and when we arrived at Derry Lodge we realised why. The Aberdeen mountain rescue teams were out all 26 of them on a training day and socialising evening.
We left our bikes here and headed up the track to the left behind Derry Lodge. After 2km we left the track and headed north east up towards the bealach between Beinn Bhreac and Meall Lunndain. It was quite a slog with lots of deep fresh soft snow. It was a cracking day with clear skies all the way and the summit of Beinn Bhreac could be easily found at the eastern cairn. Although we carry in our rucksacks crampons and ice axes there was no need for them and didnt have the opportunity to use them.
Munro number 274! i was reminded i was now into single figures... Yeeha…9 to go. Quick summit picture, Belay jacket on and quick bite to eat as it became really cold.
Beinn a ‘Chaorainn was clearly visible from here. We headed west and then north for 4km to the summit of Beinn a ‘Chaorainn. Again quite a slog with a mixture of fresh deep soft snow and crisp snow which is hellish to walk on especially when your feet sink in as you step and as you attempt to pull them out.. you hit your shins! Even more difficult when you’re cutting steps!
Excellent views from the summit over to Derry Cairngorm, Ben Macdui and Beinn Mheadhoin. Another summit picture and decision to be made whether to go back the way we came or follow the WH way down to the path. Decided to keep higher up to try for a distance and avoid the really soft snow. The streams were covered in deep deep snow and we took the 3rd stream along from Beinn a ‘Chaorainn down to the Lairig an Laoigh. From here it was an exhausting walk through Glen Derry, back through the forest.
Started to get dark about 4pm and head torches were required. Headed along the path and through the forest where we picked up our footprints back to Derry Lodge. A brief chat with the mountain rescue guys with a wee hint for a lift along the track but no one was helping us out! Back on the bikes and back to Linn of Dee for 620pm.. So all in all 9hours 50 minutes. An exhausting day but well worth it with another 2 munros in the bag.
![beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 004.jpg]()
- Black Bridge
![beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 005.jpg]()
- Derry Lodge
![beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 013.jpg]()
- Beinn Bhreac summit pic
![beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 014.jpg]()
- Incase i didnt know my way!!
![beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 019.jpg]()
- Summit of Beinn a 'Chaorainn
![beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 021.jpg]()
- moutain rescue team on derry cairngorm!
