Walkhighlands

Saturday 23rd February 2019 - Loch an Eilein & Ord Ban
13.01km
357m ascent
3 hours 5 mins

I had a later than planned start (I needed to lock my front door 4 times then go back twice to check it again ) and headed up the road to Aviemore. I arrived at our pre-planned camp spot at 12.30 a few minutes after Malcy who had been a keen bean and run up Meall a’ Buachaille already (to be fair he also had a 2 hour shorter drive )

Wee bit hazy but the Lurcher’s Crag was prominent


It was quite windy but a beautiful afternoon so we pitched the tent (I’d brought the Vango Palace for a weekend of luxury) and decided to go for a wander. One of the things I like best about Malcy is that he is basically the same person as me, so when I had suggested an afternoon wander to Loch an Eilein and potentially Ord Ban to test out the injury he had been thinking exactly the same thing

We set off down the track through Rothiemurchus and promptly messed up as we found ourselves bashing though all sorts of heather, bog and other nonsense (the path through the house doesn’t seem to exist). This was supposed to be an easy weekend

Braeriach and Carn Eilrig


After filling my boots with heather and Malcy’s trainers with water we found our way onto a track which took us towards Loch an Eilein. It was quite pretty


We decided to go clockwise so we would be able to attempt to find the path we had missed to walk back on (we didn’t). Although it was forecast to be super windy up high (Malcy’s foray up Meall a’ Buachaille had confirmed this) it was relatively sheltered down low and really warm


This is obviously a popular walk and it was predictably busy on a warm Saturday afternoon. We reached the end of the loch and wandered down the side of the burn for a nice view


I decided to do a thing (and fell in )


Further around we could see a wee island with a castle


Malcy had been up Ord Ban on several occasions but had never managed to find the path. Fortunately I know him well and had anticipated this – I led him to the correct starting point with the help of Al and Alison’s GPS I had checked out earlier. I’d had enough of off-piste for one day

It was a steep climb but on a good path, even for Malcy in his trainers. As we climbed out of the trees we were hit by the full force of the wind – it was hold onto your hats time

We walked the final few metres to the summit to find that it was indeed the shape of trig point that he had guessed before doubting himself (what a loser, anyone would have guessed it was a Vanessa Pillar )

Malcy mounting Vanessa




I struggled to stand up




It was a wee bit hazy but the views towards Meall a’ Buachaille and Loch Pityoulish were clear


It wasn’t a day for hanging around so we headed down – Loch an Eilein and the Gorms were just visible




Back on the ground we made use of the toilet block – although they were mainly closed for winter, the Disabled one had been left unlocked – before stopping off at the Loch for a wee view


From here we carried on along the track - we looked out for the other end of the track we’d missed earlier but didn’t spot it anywhere - and nearly trod on this wee guy


Back at the tent it turned into a lovely evening – windy and cold but actually very mild for February (my Facebook Memories reminded me the next day that this weekend last year I had been camping on Beinn an Eoin in Torridon, and oh my goodness it was cold that night )


We enjoyed a relaxed evening of cake and custard (a homemade Jaxter Special), some dinner and a 3D Noughts and Crosses tournament (which ended up being a bit embarrassing for Malcy )






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Sunday 24th February 2019 - Cairn Gorm & the Northern Corries
11.25km
1033m ascent
4 hours 40 mins


It was a cold night – when we woke the next morning there was frost on the outside of the tent But the morning was warm and we were able to sit outside enjoying our tea and porridge whilst deciding what we were going to do today – there had been several plans on the go the previous evening. Just for a change


Wandering around in my jammies – I’ve got Pooh on my legs




Looking up towards the northern corries I said “I want to go up there” – I didn’t really expect to get that far but I thought it would be awesome to get a bit of height for the views, and potentially make it to the plateau.

Driving along the shores of Loch Morlich I had to stop to photograph the reflections – it was completely still








Malcy’s patience was wearing thin….(actually it wasn’t, he was just winding me up ) so we made our way up to the carpark where there were at least 4 Mountain Rescue teams there – looked like we were in safe hands


Boots on, bags packed and Malcy’s lengthy visit to the toilet complete, we were finally off


As we gained height we could see back to Loch Morlich and the Ullapool hills in the far distance (if only I’d brought the big lens )


Eventually we had climbed high enough to leave the path and cut across to the Fiacaill ridge – there were snow patches here, I showed how to enjoy the snow….


Before a ptarmigan used it for a more important purpose


Finally of the ridge for real we could see the impressive cliffs of Coire an t-Sneachda




Across to Cairn Gorm itself


Now we were on the ridge it was super windy – this was snapped just before Malcy was blown over


Then he got his own back


Ahead to the Fiacaill buttress – we could see a couple of groups climbing and decided to go and have a look


Then I got distracted because we were starting to see Sgorr Gaoith, surely one of the most attractive hills in the Gorms


Reaching the bottom of the awkward bit Malcy went to have a look – I’d had to skirt around this bit in the summer with a huge pack, and we decided that being sensible might be the best course of action here too – there were some icy bits and also the wind was going to hit us as soon as we climbed out of the crack. Guess we’d just have to come back another time


Sgorr Gaoith and beyond


We passed the groups of climbers – they were on winter skills courses, which everyone seemed to find quite amusing given the lack of winter We made use of some shelter to add layers before reaching the top…and then we climbed out onto the plateau – I had made it!!


It was windy though – we had a wander over to Cairn Lochain for the views – impressive corries


Beinn Mheadhoin and Carn Etchachan


Although the views were stunning it was not a day to be hanging around – we dropped towards Coire Domhain before pausing to add some more gloves and Malcy used this opportunity to eat some pie

Looking towards Cairn Gorm


As we began to climb towards Stob Coire an t-Sneachda the views back to the Fiacaill Buttress was pretty awesome




I was planning to Jaxter on here but it was too windy. Instead I did something semi-sensible and Malcy fell over trying to take the photo


Loch Morlich


The sky started to do some really pretty things and looking back we were able to see Cairn Toul begin to peak out


Looking towards Carn Etchachan and Stacan Dubh where we camped in the summer


Beinn Mheadhoin and Stacan Dubh


Cairn Toul and Sgor an Lochain Uaine


We reached the top of Stob Coire an t-Sneachda and I fell off the cairn


Looking back along the northern corries – impressive


We were thinking about heading out to Stac an Fharaidh for the views but I decided that I ought to be sensible and we decided that a slow walk to Cairn Gorm and then down would be the best course of action

Beinn Mheadhoin, Derry Cairngorm & Macdui


We began the slow ascent….looking back to the northern corries with Sgor Gaoith behind


Sgor an Lochain Uaine, Cairn Toul, Braeriach & Sgor Gaoith


Soon we were high enough to see Loch Etchachan – pretty frozen


We reached the top and wandered down a bit to see if we could get any views – we’d have to walk a lot further down for views of Loch Avon but it was still lovely. We could see out to Ben Avon and Beinn a’ Bhuird


And Lochnagar


That’s some skyline


I decided to climb the weather station…seemed like a good idea until it was super windy and felt a bit precarious


The summit of Cairn Gorm is pretty obvious….as is the route down


Malcy modelling outdoor gear on the summit of Cairn Gorm


Trying (and failing) to stay upright


A last look


It was so clear – some skyline that


Caithness!




The thought of burgers in the Winking Owl was sounding very attractive so we started to follow the yellow brick road down towards the Ptarmigan restaurant


We paused on the way down for a wee pose….this was super windy


A last glance upwards as the wind picked up even more to levels where we were struggling to stand


Back at the car we headed down to Aviemore for pies (they looked even better than the burgers) before heading back to the tent where we saw a shooting star before an early night and an earlier start in the morning to get to work in time

What an amazing weekend

Nice
when you do Sgur Gaoith think about walking from Loch an Eileen up to Loch Einich, crossing to the RHS of the burn and heading up Ross's path to A Phocaid - (the pocket) - a magical little circular corrie in the ridge. That was the way I did it but I didn't take a camera The normal descent would be back down the ridge by the Argyl stone - but you would probably want to head on to Mullach Clach a Bhlair and then descend the Red burn into Glen Feshie

One of my favourite areas - family holidays up here nearly every year since the early 90s, can't think how often I've been round the loch. Good mountain biking tracks too. Know what you mean about finding the track up Ord Ban - went up it one summer in sandals (velcro strap type though, not flipflps) which is not really to be recommended - cheers

PS how does malky manage to work up enough brownie points get away for trips so often from home ?

rockhopper wrote:One of my favourite areas - family holidays up here nearly every year since the early 90s, can't think how often I've been round the loch. Good mountain biking tracks too. Know what you mean about finding the track up Ord Ban - went up it one summer in sandals (velcro strap type though, not flipflps) which is not really to be recommended - cheers

PS how does malky manage to work up enough brownie points get away for trips so often from home ?

I’m loving this area more every time I go there Brownie points or the doghouse