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I'd done a quick round of the Cairnwell munros a few months back, and hadn't really envisaged doing them again, even though I hadn't found them to be nearly as bad as i'd heard or expected. However, with my other half now getting the walking bug, and keen to get some practice in before the Kinlochleven Meet, we decided to head back there for an easy triple bag and a doubling of her munro count. Additionally the forecast was excellent, which always helps
We arrived at the Ski Centre Car Park around 9am, and after some faffing around etc, we set off at about 9:30am. I'd previously done these anti-clockwise from Carn Aosda, so fancied a wee change. Slightly steeper up the Cairnwell, but a gentler descent of Aosda. We headed for the Cairnwell Resturant then just cut off and headed straight up one of the ski runs. After a steep and occasionally wet mini-slog, we reached the snow fence at the top of the ski run. It was a cracker of a day.
- A battle-scarred Carn Aosda
- North Glen Shee
It's been said before here, but the high-level start does make these hills really easy to ascend. After that short ascent from the restaurant, this is what was left to get to the summit.
- Cairnwell Summit
In hardly any time at all, we arrived at the "interesting" summit area. The weather was tremendous, with a cool breeze, and the views were fine.
- AnneJ on summit hut/cairn combination
- South Glen Shee
After a wee daunder about the summit area, we decided to have a quick bite to eat, then headed back down to the bealach and started to cut across towards Carn a'Gheoidh, skirting Creag a'Choire Dhirich. After a wee while (and a few photo stops, we arrived at the short pull up to Carn a'Gheoidh's summit plateau.
- AnneJ at Carn a'Gheoidh's summit
This is my favourite of the three hills here, nice and remote, and well away from the scarring of the ski developments. We sat and had lunch here, enjoying the views of Beinn a'Ghlo, Glas Tulaichean, Carn an Right and Beinn Lutharn Mor. The High 'Gorms looked promising for some photos later on as well.
- Beinn a'Ghlo range
- Glas Tulaichean
- Distant Peaks
After a wee while here, we were started to get a bit cold, so decided to track back and finish the circuit. The weather was terrific, and out of the wind it was like the middle of summer.
- Mount Blair
- View back to Carn a'Gheoidh
A nice meander back to the snow fence and we took the main path up to Carn Aosda. The views from the summit were tremendous, with Ben MacDui and co looking especially fine.
- AnneJ at Carn Aosda's Summit
- Ben MacDui, Carn a'Mhaim and Derry Cairngorm
- Devil's Point to Braeriach
- Beinn a'Bhuird?
We stayed here a good while, it really was a cracker of a day. Eventually though, we dragged ourselves back down the easy and straightforward decent path.
- Last Look at The Cairnwell
- Wildlife
We were soon back at the car park (sort walk outs are excellent) and away home for some well deserved scran and a cuppy. All in all, a terrific day.
One final question, has the Ski Area become a dumping ground for a series of awful pieces of art work? The statues are weird enough, but is that silver pipe thing on the car park side a piece of artwork, or some seriously left-field plumbing?