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Walked with Jim, on a sometimes fine but showery day with strong breeze from the south west helping us up at least the first two summits. Left Linn of Dee car park at 10:00 for the long walk in.
We crossed the bridge at Derry Lodge through some boggy ground and onto Glen Laoigh Bheag to the south east slopes of Carn a Mhaim. A good but initially steep path got us to the summit at 13:00.
A descent down the ridge (not very ridgey) to the col before a steep climb up through a boulder field and a heavy shower to the plateau of Ben Macdui.
On the descent wee viewed a fine rainbow over a sunlit Ben Mheadhoin.
A turn south and another climb up a tricky boulder field, this time made exciting by gusting winds got us to the summit of Derry Cairngorm.
The initially gradual descent towards Derry Lodge and the final steel descent down wonderfully set rock steps was a joy, even for tired legs (not what you would expect on Munros). An heather lined path through the wonderful smelling trees (the trees were smelling nice, wee were smelling awful!) got us to the lodge and the long walk back to car where we were greeted by a hoard of hungry midges.
We jumped in the car and drove to the midge free car park at Glenshee where we de-booted and changed into better smelling clothes. A comedy CD of Dara O'Briain provided the entertainment on the way home and ensured driver and passenger stayed wide awake and laughing even after a long and satisfying day.
