Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui under Blue Skies

[GariochTom]

We set off from the Coire Cas car park at around 9.30am, and headed up the very well constructed pitched path up the Sron an Aonaich, just east of the mountain railway, up to the Ptarmigan Restaurant.


Ascending the lower slopes by GariochT, on Flickr


The Cairngorm Mountain Railway by GariochT, on Flickr

For much of the way up to the summit of Cairn Gorm we were penned in by rope 'banisters' either side of the pitched path, which meant there was no ambiguity as to where the path was!

Eventually we reached the top, and enjoyed good views across to the Fiacaill a' Choire Chais.


Coire Cas by GariochT, on Flickr

We continued to the rim of the Northern Corries, and slowly made our way around, impressed by the various buttresses that line the edge of the corries.


P1100957 by GariochT, on Flickr


Fiacaill Coire an t-Schneachda by GariochT, on Flickr


Fiacaill Coire an t-Schneachda by GariochT, on Flickr


Above Aladdin's & Fluted Buttress by GariochT, on Flickr

It was then time to leave the corries and head across the snow-covered plateau, to Ben Macdui. Others' tracks in the snow made the route obvious even from a distance.


Across the plateau to Ben Macdui by GariochT, on Flickr

The soft snow made our progress slow but we were rewarded with excellent views.


Looking across to Beinn Mheadhoin by GariochT, on Flickr


Under blue skies by GariochT, on Flickr

As we got further south, the impressive Cairn Toul - Angel's Peak - Braeriach ridge started to reveal itself.


The Cairngorm Plateau by GariochT, on Flickr


Cairn Toul, Angel's Peak and Braeriach ridge by GariochT, on Flickr


Cairn Toul, Angel's Peak (Sgor an Lochain Uaine) and Braeriach from the northern slopes of Ben Macdui by GariochT, on Flickr

Nearing the top of Braeriach, we spotted a couple of snow buntings that were hopping around amongst the rocks, catching insects. They weren't particularly scared of us, but kept a safe distance away from us.


Snow buntings in front of Braeriach by GariochT, on Flickr


Male snow bunting in summer plumage on Ben Macdui by GariochT, on Flickr


Female snow bunting on Ben Macdui by GariochT, on Flickr

The final push to the summit of Ben Macdui was fortunately less arduous, and I made my way across boulders to the west of the top, to get an even better view of my favourite ridge.


Directional indicator by GariochT, on Flickr


Ben Macdui Panorama by GariochT, on Flickr


The view towards the west from Ben Macdui by GariochT, on Flickr

We spent some time at the summit cairn, enjoying the fine weather and views, before we started a gradual descent down the Miadan Creag an Leth-choin (whatever that means).


Patterns in the snow by GariochT, on Flickr


Descending the Miadan Creag an Leth-choin, east of the Lairig Ghru. by GariochT, on Flickr

We spotted avalanched snow in Coire an Lochain - and apparently the following night/morning the snow slab avalanched completely.


Avalanche below No. 4 Buttress by GariochT, on Flickr


Loch Morlich and Rothiemurchus by GariochT, on Flickr

The descent took us quite some time, but eventually after 9 hours of walking we reached the car park, where we had a surprise greeting by some reindeer!


Reindeer in the ski car park! by GariochT, on Flickr


Reindeer by GariochT, on Flickr

Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui smaller.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[Cairngormwanderer]

Hard to believe that photo of the view indicator. I was there on May 4 - just three weeks earlier - and the snow was level with the top plate of the indicator, which just looked like a manhole cover in the surface of a flat white field. Amazing how quickly it all disappears.

[litljortindan]

Looks like you had a brilliant day apart from the soft snow. Our view of Cairngorms same day from Morrone was quite breath taking so must've been even more so in amongst the corries and plateaux. Some really great pictures there.

[GariochTom]

Hard to believe that photo of the view indicator. I was there on May 4 - just three weeks earlier - and the snow was level with the top plate of the indicator, which just looked like a manhole cover in the surface of a flat white field. Amazing how quickly it all disappears.

Wow, a lot of snow up there 3 weeks ago then! Yes, I wonder how much longer before all of the snow is gone (well, apart from a few semi permanent snow patches in the corries).

[GariochTom]

Looks like you had a brilliant day apart from the soft snow. Our view of Cairngorms same day from Morrone was quite breath taking so must've been even more so in amongst the corries and plateaux. Some really great pictures there.

Thanks, can imagine you had great views from Morrone too. The snow slowed us down but did make the mountains even more scenic!

[PeteR]

It was a great day in the Cairngorms on Saturday, that's for sure I was over the way on the Moine Mhor enjoying the same cloudless day Glad to see you had a great day too

[Stuart Angus]

Brilliant, do days get any better than that? We were admiring Cairngorm from Carn Mairg on Saturday and they looked good then.............but not half as good as being there by the look of it