Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's Point
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2015 5:57 pm
October began, daylight in the time 7:00 - 19:00...
I used this WH website to prepare some route for a big day. I found the Braeriach traverze incl. 4 Munros, interested for it for the views rating and also because 3 of the 4 are in TOP 5 highest in Scotland...but I really wanted get also Ben Macdui somehow, as the 2nd highest mountain... I did not want miss the opportunity. Looking at routes, Braeriach traverse one side for a big trip and Ben Macdui another side usually completed with Cairn Gorm, I decided to try connect them in one way. There is also different start-finish point for each the route, but I planned to start from the Cairngorm Ski Centre carpark, use the path to Ben Macdui, then somehow overcome the descent to Glen Dee, join the Lairig Ghru path, climb up to The Devil's Point, then continue the Traverse route and after Braeriach leave the path again and walk through a natural terain back to Ski Centre. Counting the estimate walking time and thinking about the shorter daylight, I prepared myself to be there very early, start in the darkness use the path rather than finish in darkness without any path on the end. A little worries about the weather forecast, very strong wind 45-65MPH as there is a lot of opened areas - plateau...but not rain expectation
Well, decision made, prepared all necessary stuff and gear, looking forward to go
I arrived to the Ski Centre carpark very early morning, darkness and very strong wind outside...preparation was not easy as the wind was really disturbing, I was struggling get ready as the wind was pushing the door of my car Nobody else there... Finally I started at 6:00 am, protected against the wind and used my torch for the beginning There is a small but durable foot bridge to for crossing the river...
I got to the car park at 19:00 and even in the time nobody else there...some fight against wind again to remove my stuff and put it into car but great feelings after the big trip in the Cairngorms !!!