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Escaping 'Aberdoom' - What a Quacking Idea!For the majority it is known as Aberdeen.
For the mentally insane, Aberdream.
For those who are lucky enough to occasionally escape, it's best referred to as Aberdoom.
(The rest of the title will make sense by Sunday).
Here is my take from my two and a half day weekend, two wild nights camping and another three Munros in the bag.
It had been over a month since my last Munro, Mount Keen on the 6th of September 2015. Four weekends had past - where on earth were my priorities?! (2 were spent learning how to skydive; 1 doing the Glasgow Half Marathon;
1 proving I still exist to my friends).
It was Tuesday lunchtime and I got hit with the question of all questions - "You've been awfully quite, what's your plans for the weekend?".
Nightmare! It was already Tuesday lunch and I had no idea what I was doing. With winter fast approaching it was about time to go back to being "boring" (as my friends call it), or as I call it my weekend holidays!
By Wednesday lunchtime I had walk & weather reports on all of my computer screens, OS Maps spread across the office and the rough planning began. Still without a car it was another trip from Aberdoom via the 201 of death into Braemar.
Friday 9th of OctoberWith the days shrinking it would have been impossible (or stupid) to attempt to reach the summit of Carn a'Mhaim on Friday after work. For this reason I took a half day, got the bus to Braemar for 3:30pm and began the long trip into Derry Lodge.
I opted not to take many photos from the walk in because it is the identical route from my previous trip (see -
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=56013).
By about 6pm I bumped into three fine gents cycling down from their day in the hills. Originally I planned to camp at Derry Lodge, they suggested going higher to avoid the midges and apparently it is warmer.
Decision made - it might be getting dark but lets go high! Here is Carn a'Mhaim I wish I had never weighed myself before and after putting on my weekend backpack. I was nearly at the summit, without breakfast, lunch or dinner I was incredibly relieved to get the ~30kg bag off my back, tent pitched and dinner in my belly!
Saturday 10th of OctoberYou have never heard real silence until you have spent a night in the Scottish mountains - it is almost eerie!
Popped my head out the tent (to no midges) to see how long until first day light - clearly not long!Is there a better view to brush your teeth to?!Views like these make lugging the tent for miles upon miles worth while instantly! I actually heard a vicious rumour that Fairmont Hotels are looking to buy a majority share holding in my 'Chateau de Tent'. Only concern is the maximum capacity of 2, but I am sure the views override that minor sticking point.
I embraced the luxury of no midges in the morning and slowly packed my tent before making the final couple of hundred feet ascent to the top of my first Munro, Carn a'Mhaim.
I prayed for clear skies at the top, but truthfully it wasn't looking to promising. But when I hit the summit the clouds just fell down the sides of the hill, was everything I had hoped for, and probably more. Here are some of my photos from the top or near the top of Carn a'Mhaim.
The Devil's Point.Hills hills hills everywhere! I loved how the cloud was just camping out down there!From what I have read this is the narrowest ridge in the Cairngorms - and my route to Ben MacDui, the 2nd highest mountain in the whole of the land.Some pictures just speak for themselves.Just about to make my way along the ridge and up to Ben MacDui when I meet another gent who has just caught up with me. I join Duncan on route the Ben MacDui. I have always said you often meet some of the nicest people at the top of mountains - a fact that was proved correct once again.
Looking back along the ridge from the boulder-ie ascent up to Ben MacDui. With the constant 'up', everything else began to look so small and insignificant.Before long myself and Duncan, who by now I had found out he supported a horrible football team (I will save him the online embarrassment of naming them) had reached the top of Ben MacDui, only Ben Nevis is higher.
Other than being great company Duncan had become a walking, talking book of knowledge. Apparently when the locals found out Ben Nevis was higher they planned to build a giant cairn to regain top spot. Clearly they didn't get far. Here are a few of my snaps for around the summit of Ben MacDui - useful to point out that to have such a clear day at this height, the weather gods were definitely feeling favourable today!
Tell you what, I needed that seat!Being higher than everything in sight you finally realise how vast the mountains in the Cairngorms are!I had planned to also take in Beinn Mheadhoin on the Saturday but with the weather apparently looking 'wet' on Sunday I opted to join Duncan back over Derry Cairngorm and make my way into Braemar. As they say the mountains will always be there.
So we made our from down from Ben MacDui in search of Derry Cairgorms. Some of the views were equally breathtaking.Here is where I find out if my parents read these reports.
"I wouldn't show your parents these" - Duncan.I can confirm it is a long way down - I wonder if I had a parachute...Rather gentle, but again lots of boulders on route up to Derry Cairngorm.Nearing the summit of Derry Cairngorm - my 23rd Munro and 3rd of 3 this weekend.We had made reasonably swift progress and I even had time to make it back to Breamar to catch the last bus home. But... I had came all this way, I still had plenty of food so I opted to camp beside the river next to Derry Lodge.
I said cheerio to Duncan who ventured off home.
Sunday 11th of OctoberI had definitely made the right decision to come down off the hills. I woke up to low clouds and the never-ending feeling that it was going to rain.
I packed up my tent (swiftly, to avoid being eaten to death) and retraced my steps back to Braemar, with one minor detour.
The peaceful route down to Mar Lodge, covered in cobwebs.I had always known it as Victoria Bridge, what was Edward doing here?!Ahh...maybe the name of the bridge depends what way you walk across it......Up next was the Braemar Duck Pond. I have memories of visiting here as a child. I had no idea what to expect, maybe visiting it as an 'adult' would ruin my childhood memories of this vast pond with millions of friendly ducks. Unfortunately my brother wouldn't be joining on this occasion because my last memory involves an accidental swim in an attempt to make one duck his pet.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.This is the first time in my life I have ever burst out laughing at a photograph I have took - loved it!Quack, Quack Quack!!!After a good half hour nearly losing my fingers feeding the ducks I ventured into Braemar with an hour to spare before the bus to feed myself with Guiness and breakfast.
Unfortunately none of the pubs were serving Guiness at this time 
so I had to settle for a full breakfast and coffee.By now the weekend was over and I was back in Aberdoom and gloom. Another great weekend and I am already looking forward to planning my next adventure - hoping to go from Derry Lodge to Aviemore over three days so if anyone has any helpful advice please fire it across!
Finally, a huge thanks to Duncan (I am slightly panicked now I have his name wrong... but you know who you are
) for letting me join him on his circuit. A proper gent, a poor football team, a wealth of Scottish knowledge (which I am currently 'Googling' away!), but ultimately a great ambassador for the friendliness stored in these great Scottish Munros! I wish you and your wife all the very best for your future hills!
I write these reports so I don't forget any walks as the numbers grow or as I get older and my memory gets...
sorry what was I saying?? Ahhh yes I remember, weaker - but I am sure I won't be forgetting this weekend in a hurry. Brilliant!
Until next time,
Andrew
23 down - lots and lots to go.
