Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui under Blue Skies
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 8:04 amWe 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
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
I was over the way on the Moine Mhor enjoying the same cloudless day 
Glad to see you had a great day too