Derry Cairngorm from Linn of Dee
Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:41 pmYet another delayed report from me. I can’t complain though. The walking’s been good and it’s a busy work that has stopped me from writing up reports recently 
That and a great week down in Dorset with my two young lads over the half term break This is the first of two reports to get me back on track (although no doubt by the time I get the second report done I’ll have been out again 
I’d had the idea to head to Linn of Dee and have a bash at Carn an Fhidhleir and An Sgarsoch on the Sunday. But this looked a long old day for the Winter, so instead I thought I’d do Derry Cairngorm and, if the weather was favourable, take on Macdui and then descend to Luibeg Burn via Sron Riach. Not a short walk in itself for a winter’s day either, but as I’d been in the area a few times before I was confident of my timings – what with the walk into and out from Derry Lodge.
Well I managed Derry Cairngorm, but the weather wasn’t favourable so no Macdui this trip, as the cloud hung round its summit all day. I’ve always wanted to do Macdui on a clear day, so I’m quite prepared to bide my time and do it as part of a long circuit one day with Cairn a Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm.
The walk into Derry Lodge is pretty uneventful. Long.........and leaving me wishing I was in possession of a mountain bike just to get me to Derry Lodge that bit sooner
When I arrived at the lodge there were a fair number of mountain rescue vehicles parked up. If not on a training exercise then I assumed it was a continuation of the search for the poor chap missing round the Courror bothy area. Throughout the day I’d also heard the rescue helicopter whirring about somewhere in the distance, but never in view.
From the lodge it’s a good path up through the Scots pines to a couple of styles and bizarre gates in the fence which I can only assume is there for the “little people”
I’d been having a problem with repairs I’d carried out on my right boot a couple of weeks earlier, which was now giving me real jip. So once I was over the styles and on open hillside it was time to stop and effect some emergency repairs. Once these were done progress was so much easier. Why oh why hadn’t I stopped earlier to do this
Once on open hillside the good path continues. Eventually it became a bit “occasional” for me in places, but that may have been down to the snow higher up making it less than obvious. The route was obvious though, so that was all for the good.
As I got higher so the cloud seemed to drop down lower and the views, as they were, became fewer a further between
Macdui looked like it was definitely for keeping itself well hidden from me sadly. Also higher up the rocks became bit more slippery and the slope a bit steeper (but never steep), which made progress a bit slower. I was keen to make sure that I didn’t end up with a broken ankle or anything picking my way through the rocks, so foot placement was crucial
Then I had one of those moments when I arrived at a cairn!!!!!!!!! Thought it was the summit and was sitting there rather smug at my time to the summit, only for the clag to clear and show me I had further push to the summit
A short while later, slipping up the rocks, and I was eventually at the top.
Views were still hampered by the cloud, but for a brief moment it looked like the cloud might clear and I might get to do Macdui, but after about 15 minutes I gave up as more cloud seemed to roll in
Sods law though, as on the way down the cloud did break giving good views to Beinn Bhreac and also toward the Cairnwell hills, but never over Macdui
The trip down was a reverse of the route up, albeit I decided to visit the minor tops on the way down. Got some nice views to Bynack More.
Just passed Carn Crom and the snow started up. As much as I was quite enjoying it the thought in my mind was the long walk back from Derry Lodge and the drive over the Devil’s Elbow Let’s hope the snow had stopped by then
On the way back I was offered a lift by one of the MRT crews, but I’m a car-to-car walker so politely declined the kind offer Eventually arrived back at the car and was soon heading back up the road.
Unfortunately the snow was on again, this time heavier than when I was on the hill. Did I enjoy the trip over the Devil’s Elbow
No, I didn’t I can only apologise to drivers behind me It was slow, slow, slow from me as I attempted to peer through the snow being swept up by the wind I’m not a big fan of driving in the snow in the dark, so this was a bit of an experience. Was I relieved to get through the snow Yes I was
All in all though another good day out on the hills
That and a great week down in Dorset with my two young lads over the half term break This is the first of two reports to get me back on track (although no doubt by the time I get the second report done I’ll have been out again I’d had the idea to head to Linn of Dee and have a bash at Carn an Fhidhleir and An Sgarsoch on the Sunday. But this looked a long old day for the Winter, so instead I thought I’d do Derry Cairngorm and, if the weather was favourable, take on Macdui and then descend to Luibeg Burn via Sron Riach. Not a short walk in itself for a winter’s day either, but as I’d been in the area a few times before I was confident of my timings – what with the walk into and out from Derry Lodge.
Well I managed Derry Cairngorm, but the weather wasn’t favourable so no Macdui this trip, as the cloud hung round its summit all day. I’ve always wanted to do Macdui on a clear day, so I’m quite prepared to bide my time and do it as part of a long circuit one day with Cairn a Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm.
The walk into Derry Lodge is pretty uneventful. Long.........and leaving me wishing I was in possession of a mountain bike just to get me to Derry Lodge that bit sooner
- My target for the day, with a fair covering of cloud :(
When I arrived at the lodge there were a fair number of mountain rescue vehicles parked up. If not on a training exercise then I assumed it was a continuation of the search for the poor chap missing round the Courror bothy area. Throughout the day I’d also heard the rescue helicopter whirring about somewhere in the distance, but never in view.
- View from just off of Derry Lodge
From the lodge it’s a good path up through the Scots pines to a couple of styles and bizarre gates in the fence which I can only assume is there for the “little people”
- The Hobbits gate :)
- Route ahead, although it got a bit icier as the path headed up to the right at the crags
I’d been having a problem with repairs I’d carried out on my right boot a couple of weeks earlier, which was now giving me real jip. So once I was over the styles and on open hillside it was time to stop and effect some emergency repairs. Once these were done progress was so much easier. Why oh why hadn’t I stopped earlier to do this
Once on open hillside the good path continues. Eventually it became a bit “occasional” for me in places, but that may have been down to the snow higher up making it less than obvious. The route was obvious though, so that was all for the good.
- View back to Glen Lui
- And again, a little higher up
- Morrone
- Looking back down the path I was walking. A little higher up and it was soon getting buried in the snow
- Zoomed in shot
- In the Lochnagar direction
- Expanding view down Glen Lui
As I got higher so the cloud seemed to drop down lower and the views, as they were, became fewer a further between
Macdui looked like it was definitely for keeping itself well hidden from me sadly. Also higher up the rocks became bit more slippery and the slope a bit steeper (but never steep), which made progress a bit slower. I was keen to make sure that I didn’t end up with a broken ankle or anything picking my way through the rocks, so foot placement was crucial - The route ahead - path showing to the right of the shot
Then I had one of those moments when I arrived at a cairn!!!!!!!!! Thought it was the summit and was sitting there rather smug at my time to the summit, only for the clag to clear and show me I had further push to the summit
A short while later, slipping up the rocks, and I was eventually at the top.
- Summit Cairn
Views were still hampered by the cloud, but for a brief moment it looked like the cloud might clear and I might get to do Macdui, but after about 15 minutes I gave up as more cloud seemed to roll in
- Blue Sky :) :)
- Shortlived though, as the clouds rolled in behind me :( :(
Slippery rocks too
- The letterbox shot
Sods law though, as on the way down the cloud did break giving good views to Beinn Bhreac and also toward the Cairnwell hills, but never over Macdui
- Beinn a Chaorainn
- Glen Lui again
- View to the forest of Mar
- Carn a Mhaim
- Not a snow storm I'd like to be in.......little did I know what would be dished up later
The trip down was a reverse of the route up, albeit I decided to visit the minor tops on the way down. Got some nice views to Bynack More.
- Bynack More
Just passed Carn Crom and the snow started up. As much as I was quite enjoying it the thought in my mind was the long walk back from Derry Lodge and the drive over the Devil’s Elbow
Let’s hope the snow had stopped by then - Tree
On the way back I was offered a lift by one of the MRT crews, but I’m a car-to-car walker so politely declined the kind offer
Eventually arrived back at the car and was soon heading back up the road. Unfortunately the snow was on again, this time heavier than when I was on the hill. Did I enjoy the trip over the Devil’s Elbow
No, I didn’t I can only apologise to drivers behind me It was slow, slow, slow from me as I attempted to peer through the snow being swept up by the wind I’m not a big fan of driving in the snow in the dark, so this was a bit of an experience. Was I relieved to get through the snow Yes I was All in all though another good day out on the hills
