Wild camp after a wild day in Cairngorms.

[mamoset]

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We had decided a while back, that the best way for us Englanders to get round the central Cairngorm Munros was to wild camp. So, with a favourable two day forecast, we headed for Linn of Dee at the usual ungodly hour and left the car by 9 o'clock. Blue skies and warmth abounded, but the strong wind was evident. It's a pleasant walk up Glen Lui to Derry Lodge before we veered off up Glen Derry.

Derry Cairngorm, will be No. 4 later today!!

We had planned to split up in Glen Derry, with me going up Beinn Bhreac & Beinn a' Chaorainn on my own. I missed the path by the last burn as we were busy gabbing so, it was straight up and over the heathery hillside leading under West Top and on to Beinn Bhreac itself.

Up Glen Derry to Derry Cairngorm & Beinn Mheadhoin.

Cairn Toul comes into view on the ascent of Beinn Bhreac.

As I approached the summit of Beinn Bhreac, a lovely male Dotterel started acting up in front of me and I soon spotted why; he had two small chicks with him. I resisted the temptation to get too close and got a quick pic of him.

Dotterel.

Beinn Bhreac.

Due to the strength of the wind, I only stayed a short while before heading for the dreaded Moine Bhealaidh!!!!

Beinn a' Chaorainn across Moine Bhealaidh.

Anyway, it was really easy to get across, reasonable path for the most part, couple of minor boggy bits, and so I was soon heading up Beinn a' Chaorainn into an ever increasing wind. I had intended to go to the Munro Top, but walking was quite difficult at this point so I shelved that plan and made straight for the main summit

Beinn a' Chaorainn.

Cairn Gorm from Chaorainn summit.

Stob Coire Sputan Dearg to Ben Macdui.

There didn't appear to be an "easy" way down to Lairig an Laoigh, so I followed the shoulder of B a' C until it looked steep but easy enough to get to level ground Once there, I had some food then skirted Stob Coire Etchachan to meet the path up to the Hutchison Memorial Hut.

Hutchison Memorial Hut in Coire Etchachan.

I followed the path up to Loch Etchachan, were I located my mates rucksack. I left mine with it, then took the path up to Beinn Mheadhoin.

Loch Etchachan from ascent of Beinn Mheadhoin.

Met a few walkers on my way up who alluded to the strength of the wind on the top, but once up there, I figured they were playing it down, it was ferocious!!

Summit tors.

Being a bit older, and therefore wiser, I decided not to stand on the summit, but climbed up to it and managed to one hand my camera into the following picture

Beinn Mheadhoin.

Now, I am sure the purists among you will say I should have stood up there, and if I'm ever this way again, I will, I promise!! Anyway, I didn't stay long and having met up at the bags and had a bit of a refuel, Derry Cairngorm was our next destination. As we began the ascent of Derry Cairngorm, it was notable that the wind was beginning to drop off, which made walking a bit more pleasurable.

Looking back to Beinn Mheadhoin ascent route.

Route up Derry Cairngorm, Beinn a' Ghlo in background.

Helicopter cloud over Cairn Toul!!

This is a fairly shallow ascent and soon enough we were at the summit.

Derry Cairngorm.

It was turning into a pleasant enough evening, so after re-joining the Macdui path, we passed what was our intended bivvy spot near the small lochan behind Coire Sputan Dearg, and headed for Ben Macdui.

Cairn Gorm, Beinn Mheadhoin, Bynack More & Beinn a' Chaorainn.

Derry Cairngorm across Coire Sputan Dearg.

By the time we reached the summit, the wind had died completely and it was a really pleasant evening.

Ben Macdui.

There is a ruin marked on the map, probably only 10 metres descent from the summit, and this looked fine for sleeping in. Turns out it was so after a very satisfying, if difficult at times, day, we bedded down.

Macdui Hilton.

The beauty of camping this high, is it's nearly all down hill tomorrow

The ruin (next morning).

Day 2 to follow!!!

[rockhopper]

Enjoyed that - and day 2 just topped it off - cheers

[mamoset]

Hi rh, just glad the wind died down or it might have been a looong night!!!

[BlackPanther]

I always wanted to wildcamp in the Cairngorms, but somehow we managed all M's there in day trips... Will have to come back with a tent one day just to see the sunrise over the plateau...

We were overnighting in the Fisherfields the very same night, at last some summer weather

[jmarkb]

Great report - and a fine place to kip out! This may be of interest: http://theuplandofmar.squarespace.com/sappers-bothy/.

[mamoset]

I always wanted to wildcamp in the Cairngorms, but somehow we managed all M's there in day trips... Will have to come back with a tent one day just to see the sunrise over the plateau...

We were overnighting in the Fisherfields the very same night, at last some summer weather

Hi BP, not seen a report on that one, was it a wild camp?

[mamoset]

Great report - and a fine place to kip out! This may be of interest: http://theuplandofmar.squarespace.com/sappers-bothy/.

Thanks jmark, useful bit of info in that article, plenty more to read as well, when I find the time

[BlackPanther]

Hi BP, not seen a report on that one, was it a wild camp?

I'm currently in the process of writing - should post it tomorrow We wildcamped near Canmore bothy. This is the view we had from our tent:

[mamoset]

Got to say, that looks a real nice camping spot