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The RouteAn Sgarsoch (1006m) & Carn an Fhidhleir (Carn Ealar) (994m)
It was clear after our last walk that Day 3 would certainly not involve sitting on a bike. That was, to say the least, a painful subject.
There was no point trying to modify it: the seat was a disaster in all aspects and it had done its worst on poor Andrea.
No today would be R&R: Balmoral in the sunshine, good coffee, cake and oh yes - get a new bike seat!
La Famille Royal were no in so we had the place to ourselves - well, almost, then off to Ballater in search of coffee, cake and a memory foam bike seat!
There are a couple of bike shops in Ballater, the first was quite exceptional and rose to the occasion with professional aplomb. The chap who served us gave us the full 'All you ever wanted to know about bike seats - but just never asked' tutorial. I am not the type of person who spends a lot of money on bike accessories but by the end of it we were sold - more importantly Andrea's nether region... which up until this point had been the victim of, what can only be categorised as abuse, was happy as can be with this new purchase.
Note to self - think we'll be walking tomorrow - Game On!
Back to Braemar, stock up then park up at Linn o' Dee Car Park. Here we once again met our little lady friend: the capercaillie. This poor hen has been looking for a mate - alas none was in the area. She tried to present herself in a manner unbecoming a lady but I was having none of it!
Brilliant place to park up. Toilets, good parking, protected from the wind by the trees and not that far away is the Linn o Dee bridge and gorge. Brilliant.
Plans made for the next day we got our kit ready, butties made and boots polished for the next day. A few late arrivals headed off to Derry Lodge and Corrour for their day including a group of about 12 school kids doing their D of E - Excellent.
So. Next morning. Up and at em early into the cold windy morning.
The track to the White Bridge (which is actually Red) is very good. Indeed, apart from the wind the going was excellent all the way to
almost Geldie Lodge. We just felt that the crossing of Allt Dhaid Mor with bikes was not worth the trouble for the last 500m or so on bike so we opted to leave the bikes here. Chained up we left all the cycling gear here and put on our
rubble bags to cross this burn.
Success - river crossed, feet dry and only a few holes in the
rubble bags. I realised at this point they were not
rubble bags but poor imitations - Garden
sacks!!
The Geldie Burn was a bigger challenge and this is where the
rubble bags ... sorry.... Garden
sacks, came into their own by saving the day and our feet.
Lovely little spot this Geldie Lodge - must have been something in its day.
Onwards ever upwards - we followed the excellent stalkers path to the appointed area then headed off again amongst the pathless, tussocks and heather
Carmeron describes the straight ascent to the summit up the steep bit however there was a clear and rather dodgy looking cornice so we opted to head to the right flank of this hill then to its summit.
I'll be honest - we were glad to see the top but we were equally glad to get off as the wind was razor sharp and it were reet sharp and cold.
Heading to the point 906m we skirted round then made our way to the col below taking advantage of the snow and bum sliding till we descended.
Finding some shelter it was time to eat before the next ascent to An Sgarsoch.
Again - no path on the lower slopes but about half way up we found a few sheep trods that eventually became a path.
Summit reached we headed off the ridge in the direction of the stalkers path. No discernible path could be found so short legs and deep heather and some puffing and panting we eventually reached the path.
A short story from yours truly reduced the perception of time and soon we were back at Geldie Lodge - bags on 2 burns crossed and back on the bikes.
By this time the sun was out and the wind had dropped. The ride back was a dream. It should take 2 hrs 44 mins - Naismith Rule - we took 40 mins. We absolutely hammered back via the White Bridge and back to the car park to be reacquainted with my new mistress - the Capercaillie. She was so glad to see me!
Brilliant day - 43Km. That is our longest day on the hills to date.
Boots drying in the sun
Self Catering available.... no really!
Capercaillie on the Moby
Heading to Geldie Lodge. Cairngorms
Still cycling......
Bikes dumped and of they plodded
Geldie Burn - Rubble sacks: Genius!!
Geldie Lodge
Carn an Fhidhleir (994m)
Heading over to An Sgarsoch
Speedy descent
An Sgarsoch (1006m)
Heading back on the stalkers path to Geldie Lodge
Man down!!
Bye Geldie Lodge
Heading out. Track following the Geldie Burn
The White Bridge crossing the Dee
Job done. 42Km
