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Having missed the weekend of glorious weather up North, Tuesday was the only day i could head there. The Cairngorms appeared to offer the best chance of a decent day, so we headed for Glen More. I was dropped off by my mate, who was carrying an injury, to be picked up at the funicular station later.
- Early morning reflections in Loch Morlich.
I took the path heading for Ryvoan and passed An Lochan Uaine, which was in shade so didn't look as green as normal
I was at the Nethy Bridge - Braemar junction in no time, as the path is pretty good.
- The junction.
Made my way into the Abernethy Reserve and followed the path to the bridge over the River Nethy.
- Ryvoan Bothy & Lochan a' Chait.
- Distant Bynacks and River Nethy.
The going starts to steepen from here, and the temperature was also going up, so i had to shed some layers
- Looking up Strath Nethy.
Ben Avon and Beinn a' Bhuird finally came in to view the higher i got.
- Ben Avon & Beinn a' Bhuird.
My plan had been to "climb" Bynack Beg as well, but with a rise of only 30m, it's not much of a climb
- Bynacks More & Beg.
- Meall a' Bhuachaille over Mam Suim & Stac na h-Iolaire.
It's a nice little ridge that leads to the summit and so 3 hours after setting off, i was on my first summit of the day, which would also take me over 25% of Munro's done
- Beinn Mheadhoin to Cairn Gorm from ascent.
- Bynack More summit.
Headed from here over to Bynack Beg and then made for the Munro Top of A' Choinneach.
- Easy route finding today!!!
Noticed that the camouflage plumage of the Ptarmigan isn't so effective in spells of warm weather!!
- Can you spot her?
Left A' Choinneach, making for The Saddle, down by Loch Avon. This is such a picturesque spot, i stopped for a while to eat, and take in the magnitude of this place. It really is awesome.
- Cairn Gorm.
- Stacan Dubha towers over Loch Avon.
- Wide angle view from The Saddle.
Had to get moving, next stop was to be Cnap Coire na Spreidhe, one of Cairn Gorm's Munro Tops. A path started from The Saddle, but this was soon lost making this a bit of a boggy climb, but nothing too bad. Saw some people skiing uphill
but they made far better time than me
- Cairn Gorm from Cnap Coire na Spreidhe.
With the end in sight, i quickly covered the space between these tops and was on Cairn Gorm, 20 years after first topping it.
- Cairn Gorm summit, with Snow Bunting!!
The views all around were fantastic, and i spent a while here taking photo's.
- Back to the Bynacks.
- Distant Cairn Toul & Sgor an Lochain Uaine.
- Ben Macdui.
- Derry Cairngorm & Loch Etchachan.
reluctantly left the summit, but was lucky that i could head down an out of use piste, so only took 20 minutes to get to the car park. The brilliant weather certainly contributed to a great day. Must say, i am becoming more and more fond of the Cairngorms. I've had some great days here, and long may that continue
- One for the road.