Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's Point
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2015 5:57 pmAfter our short family holiday at the end of september - in a tent at a camp site near Aviemore, where we enjoyed all the beauty in Cairngorms and also visited the summit of Cairn Gorm, I really wanted to come back soon and conquer some nice Munros until the daylight will get too short for a big trip. 
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 !!!
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 - After 1 hour of walk in darkness the daylight started finally
- Looking back after connecting the edge above Glen Dee
- Ben Macdui summit, misty...no visibility...no views...and need to find a possible way for a safe descent down to Glen Dee...the wind is disturbing when you try to remove anything from pockets or from rucksack
- 1st one done !
- Self timer worked...but my hands felt freezy after short time without gloves
- Fortunatelly I found a good place for descent and after short time the fog disappeared...I felt more confidence and I was happy to see ahead. View of Glen Dee and The Devils Point
- The Devil's Point closer
- Bothy under The Devil's Point...can be very helpful sometime
- South-West view from The Devil's Point
- South view to Glen Dee from The Devil's Point summit
- I was very happy and grateful for this shelter...allowed me some refresment from the wind around
- After short refreshment continue my way. Next targed Cairn Toul ahead
- Looking back to The Devil's Point and Glen Dee
- Ben Macdui opposite...clear visibility there now
- Cairn Toul
- Wide view from Cairn Toul
- Braeriach opposite, but still need go around and reach also the Sgorr an Lochain Uaine...
- Sgorr an Locjain Uaine done, continuing my way to the Braeriach. Ben Macdui in distance
- Looking back to Sgorr an Lochain Uaine and Cairn Toul
- Near to the Braeriach
- From the summit of Braeriach
- Another great view from Braeriach
- On my way from Braeriach to the car park...still so far away...
- Way no way...but hurry to the car park - darkness comming slowly, some tricky hidden boggy places need to overcome, but enjoying the views around
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 !!! 
