The weather wasn't as good as I had hoped for, but at least it was dry and warm on the long walk towards Derry Lodge. The path was stunning…ancient pine forests, heather clad hillsides and in the far distance the Cairngorms. About an hours walk later, Bob Scotts Bothy came into view and the infamous bridge, which was destroyed during the recent storm
Me at the start
Bridge no more
Lovely
The damaged path further up the hill
Stunning views
Passing Derry Lodge I made my way up Glen Derry. The path climbed gently past more ancient pines and also had taken a battering during the storm. Luckily it was easy to step over the washed away path and wider river crossing. I climbed higher and higher, keeping a look out for a path up Beinn Bhreac. Maybe due to the storm damage, or maybe because I overlooked it, I walked past it
and when I cleared the forest I checked my GPS. The easiest way would be straight up and so I made my way up the hill through thick heather. Making good progress I reached a flattish area and looked up the hill. There were a few options, 
but I guessed straight up would be best. 
Crossing a wee burn the ground was getting boggy and I was glad when I passed the worst and started climbing again. Struggling with the weight of my backpack, I made slow progress and when I reached the top I was a bit annoyed when I realized that I had aimed for the west top. 
Not hanging around for long, I walked the additional kilometer to the real top and was able to enjoy the views.
Towards Glen Derry
Looking back on my way up the first Munro
Not that stunning - the top of Beinn Bhreac
Towards Beinn a'Chaorainn
Looking ahead the second Munro Beinn a'Chaorainn the distance seemed not too far away. Following a faint path, I realized for the first time how deceiving the distances can be up there. The ‘short’ distance turned out a real pain in the backside, as most of the 5 km was through bog and the path soon frazzled out into nothingness. Grumpily I walked and walked and walked. The views however were lovely.
Views from the left
The top of Beinn a'Chaorainn
When I reached the cairn of Beinn a'Chaorainn, Glen Derry spread out towards my left and Beinn Mheadhoin rose steep from up the valley floor. Taking some pictures, I had a quick bite to eat and while walking towards Beinn Mheadhoin, the path I had chosen came into view.
Me view Glen Derry in the horizon
The path ahead towards Beinn Mheadhoin
Sitting down and checking up the route...straight line up the river you can see
The route up the left and the top towards the right
Moving along it was the first time in ages that I felt rather alone. I had not seen a single soul since I past the lodge and it added to the feeling of remoteness. The path soon turned into a treacherous scree descent, but luckily it wasn’t very far until I reached the valley.
Looking up Beinn Mheadhoin I took a deep breath and made my way up the steep grassy slope. The direct way up the burn was the fastest, jet probably the hardest. It was a tiring task and stopping frequently...to pick blueberries
…(good excuse for breaks) 
, I eventually reached the top of the burn. 
On the way to the top, looking back towards Beinn a'Chaorainn
Down to the valley
From there the ground flattened out and climbed gently towards the top. Walking along I fell in love with the strange mountain top of Beinn Mheadhoin. The boulders on top looked strangely out of place and the approaching darkness, low cloud and cold wind just added to the atmospheric feeling. Having reached the highest boulder I dropped my backpack and climbed to the top. The views towards Cairngorm, Cairn Lochan and Loch Avon were spectacular and I took photos until the cold wind forced me to leave.
The top comes into view
The top a bit closer
Views from the top of Beinn Mheadhoin
Cairn Lochan
Loch Avon
Loch Etchachan and Loch Avon
It was getting late and it was time to find a spot to camp. I had planned to find a spot around Loch Etchachan and climbing down the steep path until I reached the loch, I had a look around. The wind was blowing fiercely and it was cold. Mmmm.
Remembering the weather forecast of gale force winds for the next day, I decided that the exposed area around the loch wasn't a very good idea...specially as my wee tent wasn't build for that type of weather. Looking down the path towards Glen Derry, I was able to spot Hutchison Memorial Hut and decided to try my first night in a bothy! Great idea! 
The way towards Loch Etchachan
Getting closer to Hutchison Memorial Hut
Walking down the path towards the bothy felt special…like going home and was wondering if there would be space inside. Regardless of what the situation might be, I was looking forward to get the shelter in the bothy and maybe have some company.
By the time I got closer, I spotted a person outside the bothy. Saying hello entered the darkness of the bothy. Once through the entrance area, I opened the second door and a wall of extreme heat hit me.
Trying to breath I entered the furnace, coughing a hello to two further people, I sat down. A further…"OMG it is hot", escaped my lips, which was answered with laughter. The 3 students inside had tried their hardest to turn the inside of the bothy into a Sauna. 
Sitting down, I tried to breathe the air of fire and made a mental note that a night in my tent was certainly better than being cooked alive in my sleeping bag inside the bothy. 
In no time I stripped down to my T-shirt, while sweltering in my long trousers. Having a chat, while my body tried to get used to the 30C temperature difference, one thing was for sure…I was roasting in no time.
The 3 seemed rather baffled when I told them that I prefer to sleep outside in my tent and watched me suspiciously when I set up the tent. “This will not survive the forecasted gale force winds” I was told. Cheek! I thought watch me.
We came to an arrangement that if the weather would turn too bad, I would come in (and could scrape my tent off the mountain the next day) Crawling into my sleeping bag an hour later, I was fast asleep within seconds.
I was woken up by something banging on my head.
Confused I tried to figure out what was happening, when I realized that gusts of wind started to batter my wee tent and the walls of the tent, flapping around my head, had woken me. Too tired to do anything, I changed position and lay awake for ages listening to the bursts of wind hitting my tent and keeping me from falling asleep again. 
Not sure how long it took me, but eventually I managed to fall sleep again. The next time I woke it was daylight and the tent seemed to have found its own life. Strong winds battered my wee tent from the outside. The walls bend in at alarming rates (scary when the inside of the tent isn’t much bigger than a coffin) and the wind pulled at the guy ropes. Taking out my ear plugs, I listed to the wind and was pretty much surprised that the wee tent withheld such force of wind. 
Not wanting to challenge fate any longer, I decided it was now time to pack my tent up. As quickly as I could I packed up and moved into the bothy. The bothy was still warm, but luckily the extreme heat was gone. Soon after the 3 said their good byes and left while I packed my bag to get ready for the next 2 Munros.
The bothy during the next morning
The bothy from the outside
Outside the wind had picked up even more since I got up and the clouds were racing high above me. I made my way up the path and reached Loch Etchachan, which was now covered in waves. Further up thick clouds covered the hills...time to make my way up Ben Macdui. Walking along the easy to follow path, I was soon surrounded by wet clouds. Realizing it was actually raining, I put my waterproofs on and made my way towards the summit. The wind was strong, but did not hinder me in any way and after a quick visit to the top, I returned to the wee ruin to seek some shelter.
Loch Etchachan the next morning
The path up Ben Mcdui
Looking back down the path, with the faint path down Beinn Mheadhoin in the distance
The top of Ben Mcdui
Seeking shelter
Sad that I had no views, I decided to get moving as the wind and rain started to get stronger and I still had one Munro left to cover. Retracing my steps towards the loch, I turned right and made my way up towards Derry Cairngorm.
Retracing my steps back the path (that was my view)
The rain, but at least some views
Looking back up to Ben Mcdui
What had looked like an easy walk up the cone like summit, turned out to be one of the most difficult walks I had encountered so far.
The first 2/3rd of the way was easy, but the higher I got, the stronger the wind became. When I reached the boulder field and balanced my way to the top, I was suddenly hit by a gust of gale force wind, which threw me over. Landing painfully on my knees, the wind continuously hit me with such force, that I was not able to stand up. Crouching down to the ground, I had to use my hands to hold on to the rocks, so I would not be blown over further...this was crazy!
Waiting for the wind to ease again, I managed to get up. Clinging to my walking poles, taking baby steps I managed 3 steps, until the next gust of wind forced me down to my knees again. As before I waited and got up again, walking sideways to try different angels to control the force of the wind. The further I got to the top…which now took ages, the worst the wind got. Inching forward another forceful gust of the storm hit me. Not being able to stand, I quickly crouched down in a little burrow surrounded by rocks . The wind hit my heavy backpack, which such force that it got nearly lifted off of shoulders. At that time the top was only 30 m or so away, so close yet so far. Considering my options I thought of crawling the way to the top, but the thought that I might have to return was also present. 
With grim determination I looked towards the summit again and decided...regardless how long it would take me...I am going to reach the bloody cairn.
With that my longest climb began. Each step took ages, as the gust of gale force winds forced me to crouch down so many times. But after 3 bruises on my legs and a bruised ego by gotten thrown down god knows how many times, I reached the top. Seeking shelter I smiled...Munro No 180 had fought hard to get climbed, but I did it.
The top
Views from the top
More views
The walk down was luckily a lot easier, as it curved slightly towards the left and leaving the area less exposed to the wind. I still had to take great care, but at least the gusts of wind didn’t hit me anymore and I was able to cope with the otherwise strong winds.
The further I climbed down the easier it got and soon even the rain stopped leaving lovely views ahead.
Reaching the lower slopes of the mountain, lovely views towards Glen Derry could be enjoyed and I could not believe it when the sun started to come out. By the time I reached the burn with the broken bridge, I was back in a T-shirt and the madness of the last hill was nearly forgotten.
The calm after the storm..how can this be the same day!
Waving good bye to the rain showers, on their way east
Derry Lodge area comes into view
The last 20 min
The lovely path back to the car park (looking back towards the mountains)
Looking ahead
and back again
Even though the bridge was gone, the crossing of the river was easy. I took my shoes and socks off and walked though…rather nice as it was the first bath I had in 2 days.
The way back to my car ,I enjoyed in sunshine and after paying £2.50 to use the shower facilities at the Braemar campsite (bliss) I was back for one last night of wild camping in Glenshee. 
- nope - a bit challenging perhaps but that sounded great. It's a brilliant area to get lost in your thoughts and just enjoy the surroundings - cheers 
