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Gerry, Andy and I had done Ben MacDui a couple of weeks ago and seen the very impressive Devils Point during that walk. We agreed this would be one we would try and do soon. Did a bit of research and there is no easy route in. Initial thoughts where to do the four of Braeriach, Angels Peak, Cairn Toul and Devils point. We cut this down to 3 as there is some excellent walk-in’s to Braeriach and we will do this in the summer.
Having decided to do 3 we left Dundee just after 05:30 and found the Linn of Dee car park near Braemar at 07:30. I had set the sat nav for Inverey Cottage near Victoria bridge and bingo we where there. There is some excellent photos on flickr under dektasker the set is here
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjCs1QUF Well worth a look.
We took the path to Glen Lui and the sun had just come up with the frost glistering on the heather. What a gorgeous view and this picture does not do it justice.
You cross the bridge and the Linn of Dee is a wonderful sight as it snakes up Glen Lui. The path is excellent and we were both wishing we had bikes for this part of the walk.
Devils_Point_Crossing_Bridge_from_car_Park by
dektasker, on Flickr
Devils_Point_Start_of_Path by
dektasker, on Flickr
Most of the reports we had read had taken bikes but we knew this was going to be a long walk-in. As you walk along the impressive Meall an Lundain comes in to site and wets the appetite for what is ahead.
Devils Point_Meall an Lundain by
dektasker, on Flickr
We had got very lucky as the weather was great, little cloud and great prospects for excellent views. You cross the river a few times and the views are truly wonderful.
Devils_Point_River_View by
dektasker, on Flickr
It is good 3 mile walk to the old hunting (Derry) lodge, which is now boarded up but still maintains a great presence. You cross a bit of boggy ground. We kept walking towards Devils point which was still not in view but Glen Lui is special. Another 3 or 4 miles takes you to Corrour Bothy and the foot of the awesome Devils Point.
Bothy_Devils_Point by
dektasker, on Flickr
After a good stop in the Bothy and some eats and drinks we ascended the mighty devils point not realising what wonderful views lay ahead. The route is extremely steep, worse than Ben Lawers we had done a few days earlier. The water running down the Coire Adhar is impressive as you walk up and even more impressive as you look down from the top.
Coire Adhar by
dektasker, on Flickr
You look behind you as you climb to the Bothy below which is engulfed by Ceann Crionn Carn a’Mhaim.
Devils_Point_and_Bothy_walking_Towards_Devil_point by
dektasker, on Flickr
From the bealach the walk is simple with a good path to the summit with a short boulder field to cross.
At the summit you are blown away. These pictures are good but do nowhere justice to the views and scenery. Both Gerry and I agreed without doubt the best yet for us both and we have done a few between us.
Lairig Ghru by
dektasker, on Flickr
Devils_Point_Views_Glen_Dee by
dektasker, on Flickr
Devils_Point_Views_Glen Seusachan by
dektasker, on Flickr
Devils_Point_Views_To_Ben_MacDui by
dektasker, on Flickr
We moved off after a fair bit of time with a little regret that we had to leave the summit. Next was Cairn Toul. We got to Stob Coire an t-Saighdeir with the very mean looking Cairn Toul a short distance away.
However time was running out and walking around the coire to Cairn Toul was going to be a bit of effort. We regrettably made the decision to walk back to Corrour Bothy as the sun was starting to go down and we both did not fancy walking down and back in the dark. Walking back down Coire Adhar was scary. How did we manage to walk up this as quickly as we did??. No slips and we were back at the Bothy for a rest.
It was a long walk back but Braeriach and the others are planned for next year. The walk described by Alastair S leaving from the Whitewell car park is currently favourite. Go and look at the photo set on flickr at
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjCs1QUF, these only give a flavour of the whoa factor and looking forward to doing the other three.