Rockhopping in the Cairngorms - A Sunshine Epic!!

[Graeme D]

I applaud you in between bouts of intense jealousy!

[L-Hiking]

Fantastic Dooters, a magnificent achievement Carol and I have just knocked off Breariach from the Sugar Bowl and I know how hard that was..Those pictures reminded me of one of the best days I have ever had in the hills..I must get those reports done

[rockhopper]

Magic, dooters - I did enjoy reading that It's great when you get weather like that to enjoy the walk even more - although it did look a "wee" bit steep in places Don't know how you manage such a walk in a day - think I'd have to take a tent for a two day-er - cheers

[simon-b]

That's a huge walk in any conditions, DB, but on that day my car's thermometer was showing mid 20s deg C at the summit of the Cairnwell Pass. I'm not surprised you were tired in the heat, and how about your feet? I find the hard terrain of that region can make them sore.

It's interesting that you mention the possibility of a similar route with less steep sections. By coincidence, I linked Carn a' Mhain and The Devil's Point on Friday. From C a M, I walked north along the arete towards Macdui, and then headed down to the Lairig Ghru track using a path alongside Allt Clach nan Taillear. A longer way round than your crossing between the two, but definitely a less severe descent.

Anyway, this is an excellent report, with some fine photos of a magnificent area, whose best sights have to be earned by getting right in among the mountains.

[dooterbang]

Shows what ive been missinf for to long.
Thanks.

Glad your back out Dave...been missing your epic reports.

Don't know how you manage such a walk in a day - think I'd have to take a tent for a two day-er - cheers

Says the man that did 5 in 17hrs

It's interesting that you mention the possibility of a similar route with less steep sections. By coincidence, I linked Carn a' Mhain and The Devil's Point on Friday. From C a M, I walked north along the arete towards Macdui, and then headed down to the Lairig Ghru track using a path alongside Allt Clach nan Taillear. A longer way round than your crossing between the two, but definitely a less severe descent.
.

That route was something I had in my plan but opted for the steep descent and less distance due to it being the start of the walk and still feeling fresh. The steep ascent to Macdui is one I wouldn't want to do again. If doing again i would do the walk in reverse. Climb DC then ditch rucksack, nip over and do BMH, Macdui next then drop down to end of arete at CaM and leave rucksack, nip up and do CaM and return to rucksack/end of arete, do as you say and drop into LG, then ascend SW shoulder up to Braeriach, do the traverse and drop down to corrour bothy/LG and walk out. This route would mean only pathless and difficult part would be the ascent to Braeriach, which is a better option than the steep ascent from LG to Macdui. Glad i did this as i really did get a feel for the area. Cheers.

Thanks for the comments LH, P and GD.

[Bod]

You must have been so pleased to have the bikes at Derry Lodge

Wonderful effort and a memorable whole weekend for you both

[baggervance]

Epic walk Dooterbang.

I am thinking about doing the Cairn Toul Braeriach traverse in 2 weeks. Do you remember roughly how long it took you to do the high level traverse of these 4 ??

I'm setting a target of 9 hours from the Sugar Bowl and back but wonder if this is possible

Any advice would be helpful

cheers

[dooterbang]

Epic walk Dooterbang.

I am thinking about doing the Cairn Toul Braeriach traverse in 2 weeks. Do you remember roughly how long it took you to do the high level traverse of these 4 ??

I'm setting a target of 9 hours from the Sugar Bowl and back but wonder if this is possible

Any advice would be helpful

cheers

Sorry but I've no idea but I wasn't hanging around. The conditions will play a big part in how quickly you do these and I suspect in 2 weeks your going to be taking an ice axe, crampons and full winter kit so I guess it'l take longer. I would look at some reports with a sprinkling of snow. Start early and take a head torch for the walk out. Best of luck.

[baggervance]

Thanks Dooterbang

I am hoping the weather will be crisp but no snow to keep the pace at a maximum. Setting off about 6.00am with all the gear and doing the 4 to start with, whilst legs are strong and energy high, leaving Larig Ghru as the muscle wind down. Like you I don't intend hanging about and will refuel whilst walking and hopefully taking in the views.

Naismith says 10h 50m but I have been beating these times in recent weeks, so fingers crossed for a good day

cheers