Ben Macdui, Derry Cairngorm & Carn a'Mhaim

[Jokester]

I had planned going to the West coast with a couple of friends, but the weather wasn't looking too great so we made a last minute change to the Cairngorms.

Arriving at about half past eight it looked like it was a great day for walking

IMG_0275 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking back down towards the Linn of Dee

Out route took us towards Derry Cairngorm first, via Carn Crom, the path rises quite quickly from Derry Lodge skirting past the actual top before making a direct route for Derry Cairngorm.

IMG_0279 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking back towards Carn Crom

IMG_0281 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Beinn Mheadhoin summit tors from Derry Cairngorm

IMG_0282 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Ben Macdui in the clouds

Looking up at Ben Macdui, we could see that the summit was in the clouds, so rather than stop at the top, we decided to stop just above Loch Etchachan to have lunch and enjoy the scenery.

IMG_0288 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Loch Etchachan

IMG_0290 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Derry Cairngorm

The very top of Ben Macdui was in the clouds and after only seeing a few people on the way up we came across the crowds at the top, most of whom were coming and going from Cairngorm.

IMG_0291 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Summit of Ben Macdui

After 10 minutes at the top, we took a bearing and headed off for the last peak of the day - Carn a'Mhaim.

IMG_0296 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Carn a'Mhaim and connecting ridge

IMG_0297 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Devil's Point

IMG_0298 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Looking back at Ben Macdui

IMG_0300 by matthew_chalmers, on Flickr
Carn a'Mhaim summit cairn

From the top of Carn a'Mhaim it's a long trudge back to the Linn of Dee and you always regret not taking the mountain bike! A long days walk, but thoroughly rewarding.

[spiderwebb]

Fine hills these, and not the rounded 'lumps' as often referred when seen from distance, well worth the effort to explore.