Walkhighlands

Easy walk up to Chalamain Gap then a bit of a struggle through the boulders which made me decide on a bypass to the north for the return. Once beyond CG though plain sailing the whole way apart from a surprisingly cold spell for an hour below the top. Still, it felt very easy to get there and the cool/cold wind was quite uplifting. Enjoyed looking down into the Lairig Ghru over the crags that line the lower slopes of Sron na Lairige.
A bit disappointed not to get a clear summit but still plenty of views just below and quite atmospheric having the mist and gusty wind there. Brief stop at the top then straight back down but feeling less energetic and creeking around the knees a bit.
Managed a comical fall just before CG on the way back. Not exactly sure what I did but have taken to keeping my trousers loose around my ankles and seemed to catch one trouser leg with the opposite foot and that was me falling like a log. Managed to stick my right knee out as a "cushion" at the last moment and this seemed to help distribute the impact. Anyway, got up slowly and no damage done. Then took a fairly easy bypass north of the CG and was very pleased with how much peril I avoided by doing this.
So what I thought could be an uncomfortably warm walk was nothing of the sort, on the way up at least.




view of Meall a' Bhuachaille from near the Sugar Bowl


the cloud that was forecast to lift -onwards!


first glimpse of the Chalamian Gap


final snaky section of path to CG


haha! this looks easy


oh


a bit of a struggle for me


at last, out into the surprisingly open land between CG and Lairig Ghru


route ahead plainly in sight








glimpse of the northern corries


crags looming over Lairig Ghru


view west to Sgor Gaoith


Ben Rinnes to the north east


Lurcher's Crag, Meall a' Bhuachaille, Ben Rinnes and co


March Burn


Devil's Point


River Dee






Lochan Uaine




misty at the top








back down out of the cloud


and the view north




cloud off Sgor Gaoith so probably off Braeriach by now




Lurcher's Crag


bypassing Chalamain Gap to the north -a really easy alternative

I renamed Chalamain Gap Calamity Gap after I managed to traverse it with a 20kg pack on my back 10 years ago (I have learnt to cut down luggage since then). Shame that the views from the summit were a bit misty, but I do very much like the picture with the river Dee wriggling its way down the glen.

Silverhill wrote:I renamed Chalamain Gap Calamity Gap after I managed to traverse it with a 20kg pack on my back 10 years ago (I have learnt to cut down luggage since then). Shame that the views from the summit were a bit misty, but I do very much like the picture with the river Dee wriggling its way down the glen.

Wouldn't fancy crossing it with a heavy rucksack but I suppose I was most put off by the sustained concentration needed to avoid a slip and then the back ache that crept up on me as I spent too much time bending the wrong way. Enjoyed the walk despite the lack of summit view -still plenty to see just below the top and lower down.