Walkhighlands

After I had stayed at mum's in Aberdeenshire, I took a leisurely drive across towards Rothiemurchas. The weather was poor and I considered just relaxing for the day by browsing the shops of Aviemore and supporting the local economy. However, after I had popped into the Hilton for a pee stop, I noticed things were clearing. I relayed the message to home that I would take a run out towards Creag Mhor and see how things went. I packed everything into my 10-litre rucksack as Creag Mhor is said to be a very remote hill. It had been a couple of years but I had run this way with Darren as part of a 50 km circuit going round the Cairngorms, down the Lairg an Laoigh and back up the Lairig Ghru. I remembered it being very runnable so started my jog and relished the views en route. From An Lochain Uaine to Bynack Mor, I fair enjoyed the romp up on the ridge to the Munro before my objective came into view. I had forgotten how much the track dropped down into the Lairig an Laoigh but was glad for a bit of shelter as the wind had picked up. I eventually got to a point where I donned my waterproofs and started the climb up the heather slopes, after having some food and water. I finally reached the summit tor about 20 minutes later and took shelter behind it. What a wonderfully isolated place it was. The expanse of view from here was immense. The rain battered around me but I was quite sheltered from it although I knew I still had a reverse 12-km route back to the car. On a good day, it would be lovely to just while away time and appreciate the solitude. Nothing for it but to head out and down. Things cleared a little once I re-ascended back on to the ridge and then the wonderful track all the way back to the car. I ran this in 3 hours 30 minutes, which wasn't bad for a 24.6 km trip and with 900m of ascent. A fantastic part of the Cairngorms and this was perfect training for the Dramathon on the 20th October. Slainte!