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Single figures

Single figures


Postby mountain thyme » Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:00 am

Route description: Beinn a' Chaorainn & Beinn Bhreac

Munros included on this walk: Beinn a' Chaorainn (Cairngorms), Beinn Bhreac

Date walked: 10/12/2011

Time taken: 10 hours

Distance: 28.5 km

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After the horrendous gales and rain I had been keeping an eye on the weather forecast all week and when the MWIS predicted 6 to 12 hours of thaw on the mountains on Thursday night with a hard overnight frost on Friday night, it made sense to try and tackle Beinn Bhreac and Beinn a’ Chaorainn as the traverse to the second munro can be very boggy!

So a final decision to attempt these 2 was made at 4pm on Friday with mgmt! deciding to accompanying me.
We left Glasgow at 740pm and the drive through Glenshee was frightening with lots of snow, ice and numerous deer and white hares running onto the roads in front of the car. We managed to avoid the deer but did unfortunatley hit a wee white hare. Mgmt! did well to get us to Linn of Dee carpark in one piece for just after 1030pm. A couple of glasses of wine were required to help prepare for the kip in the back of the car.

Following the sign for Glen Lui we set off through the woods at 830am and along the icy track on our bikes! I think I fell off my bike at least 3 times heading there and 10 times on the way back! Mgmt! managed at least one fall that I seen.

There were lots of good tyre tracks and when we arrived at Derry Lodge we realised why. The Aberdeen mountain rescue teams were out all 26 of them on a training day and socialising evening.

We left our bikes here and headed up the track to the left behind Derry Lodge. After 2km we left the track and headed north east up towards the bealach between Beinn Bhreac and Meall Lunndain. It was quite a slog with lots of deep fresh soft snow. It was a cracking day with clear skies all the way and the summit of Beinn Bhreac could be easily found at the eastern cairn. Although we carry in our rucksacks crampons and ice axes there was no need for them and didnt have the opportunity to use them.

Munro number 274! i was reminded i was now into single figures... Yeeha…9 to go. Quick summit picture, Belay jacket on and quick bite to eat as it became really cold.

Beinn a ‘Chaorainn was clearly visible from here. We headed west and then north for 4km to the summit of Beinn a ‘Chaorainn. Again quite a slog with a mixture of fresh deep soft snow and crisp snow which is hellish to walk on especially when your feet sink in as you step and as you attempt to pull them out.. you hit your shins! Even more difficult when you’re cutting steps!

Excellent views from the summit over to Derry Cairngorm, Ben Macdui and Beinn Mheadhoin. Another summit picture and decision to be made whether to go back the way we came or follow the WH way down to the path. Decided to keep higher up to try for a distance and avoid the really soft snow. The streams were covered in deep deep snow and we took the 3rd stream along from Beinn a ‘Chaorainn down to the Lairig an Laoigh. From here it was an exhausting walk through Glen Derry, back through the forest.

Started to get dark about 4pm and head torches were required. Headed along the path and through the forest where we picked up our footprints back to Derry Lodge. A brief chat with the mountain rescue guys with a wee hint for a lift along the track but no one was helping us out! Back on the bikes and back to Linn of Dee for 620pm.. So all in all 9hours 50 minutes. An exhausting day but well worth it with another 2 munros in the bag.

beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 001.jpg


beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 004.jpg
Black Bridge


beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 005.jpg
Derry Lodge


beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 006.jpg


beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 008.jpg


beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 012.jpg


beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 013.jpg
Beinn Bhreac summit pic


beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 014.jpg
Incase i didnt know my way!!


beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 019.jpg
Summit of Beinn a 'Chaorainn


beinn bhreac10th dec 2011 021.jpg
moutain rescue team on derry cairngorm!
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Re: Single figures

Postby dooterbang » Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:14 am

well done guys, great report.

Long day out but well worth it.

I know what you mean about the shins, ouch!!

The finish line is in sight :)
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Re: Single figures

Postby Alastair S » Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:55 am

So it was you. I pulled into the car park next to you and had a bit of a chat to MGMT and a brief hello to yourself before I was on my way round the Corbett of Sgor Mor. It only occurred to me later that it might have been you, as I'd spotted from your last report that you had these two still to do. Congrats on getting to single figures & managing to cycle up to Derry Lodge. I did think about doing the same but didn't fancy cycling on icy stuff. 20 km was quite enough for me as there was some quite hard going in the glens. But weather couldn't have been better though.
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Re: Single figures

Postby monty » Mon Dec 12, 2011 12:33 pm

Nice report Mountain Thyne. I see you have your Mountain leader showing you the way again :lol: :lol: Only teasing.

Terrific effort in the conditions. Nearly done your first circuit of the munros :D
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Re: Single figures

Postby mgmt! » Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:10 pm

nice report mt, im so glad of the planning you put in to these trips, make them so much easier, i had a good laugh at you saying your shins got sore while braking the trail through the snow :shock: all 100 metres of it. you just need to look at my dissappearing shadow in the photos to see who done what :lol:
PC100014.JPG
mountain thyme leading from the rear
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Re: Single figures

Postby Johnny Corbett » Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:56 pm

You're enjoying this report writting now MT eh :D Was MGMT that far ahead on his bike you only saw him fall once? :D Only nine to go now, you got an idea when the last will be?
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Re: Single figures

Postby morag1 » Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:12 pm

Really nice photos :thumbup:

Must be an incredible feeling to know you're approaching compleation, wonder how you'll feel once you're facing the last one :?:
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Re: Single figures

Postby kevsbald » Tue Dec 13, 2011 1:28 pm

I'm excited for you - only 7 to go!!!
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Re: Single figures

Postby magicdin » Tue Dec 13, 2011 1:34 pm

8 to go surely ?
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Re: Single figures

Postby kevsbald » Tue Dec 13, 2011 4:12 pm

You're right - she's done the Corbett, Beinn a Chladeimh already. Maybe I should get Monty to ponder that one?
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Re: Single figures

Postby Scotjamie » Tue Dec 13, 2011 4:18 pm

Great walk report, young MT. and nice one mgmt. Particularly liked the pic of the two grey shadows of Macdui (a it misplaced).

Great achievement - really looking forward to the reports as you countdown....including AE and Knoydart!!?
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Re: Single figures

Postby magicdin » Tue Dec 13, 2011 4:36 pm

kevsbald wrote:You're right - she's done the Corbett, Beinn a Chladeimh already. Maybe I should get Monty to ponder that one?


Beinn a'Chlaidheimh is still a Munro - perhaps not for much longer though - waiting on SMC to dictate
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Re: Single figures

Postby mountain thyme » Tue Dec 13, 2011 10:23 pm

dooterbang wrote:well done guys, great report.

Long day out but well worth it.

I know what you mean about the shins, ouch!!

The finish line is in sight :)


Cheers Paul.. it was a long day out.. no rest and back to work on the sunday! legs are covered in bruises.

Alastair S wrote:So it was you. I pulled into the car park next to you and had a bit of a chat to MGMT and a brief hello to yourself before I was on my way round the Corbett of Sgor Mor. It only occurred to me later that it might have been you, as I'd spotted from your last report that you had these two still to do. Congrats on getting to single figures & managing to cycle up to Derry Lodge. I did think about doing the same but didn't fancy cycling on icy stuff. 20 km was quite enough for me as there was some quite hard going in the glens. But weather couldn't have been better though.


Hi Alistair cycle to Derry Lodge wasnt too bad.. found it more icy/ dodgy on the way back

monty wrote:Nice report Mountain Thyne. I see you have your Mountain leader showing you the way again :lol: :lol: Only teasing.

Terrific effort in the conditions. Nearly done your first circuit of the munros :D

cheers monty... aye he likes to think of himself as a mountain leader.. he'll be charging me next!

mgmt! wrote:nice report mt, im so glad of the planning you put in to these trips, make them so much easier, i had a good laugh at you saying your shins got sore while braking the trail through the snow :shock: all 100 metres of it. you just need to look at my dissappearing shadow in the photos to see who done what :lol:
PC100014.JPG

shins get sore leading or not leading! take a chill pill
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Re: Single figures

Postby mountain thyme » Tue Dec 13, 2011 10:28 pm

Johnny Corbett wrote:You're enjoying this report writting now MT eh :D Was MGMT that far ahead on his bike you only saw him fall once? :D Only nine to go now, you got an idea when the last will be?


took me 273 munros to learn how to write reports! no johnny he was that far behind!!
morag1 wrote:Really nice photos :thumbup:

Must be an incredible feeling to know you're approaching compleation, wonder how you'll feel once you're facing the last one :?:


Cheers Morag..not thinking about it as ive a few big ones still to do.failed on 2 munros last year in the winter and had to repeat them recently. so i will just see how i get on :)

kevsbald wrote:I'm excited for you - only 7 to go!!!


cheers Kev. 8!
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Re: Single figures

Postby mountain thyme » Tue Dec 13, 2011 10:34 pm

Scotjamie wrote:Great walk report, young MT. and nice one mgmt. Particularly liked the pic of the two grey shadows of Macdui (a it misplaced).

Great achievement - really looking forward to the reports as you countdown....including AE and Knoydart!!?


Cheers Scotjamie .. 2/ 3 difficult days out i believe!
magicdin wrote:
kevsbald wrote:You're right - she's done the Corbett, Beinn a Chladeimh already. Maybe I should get Monty to ponder that one?


Beinn a'Chlaidheimh is still a Munro - perhaps not for much longer though - waiting on SMC to dictate


HI Magicdin.. yeah done the fisherfield 6 in september..stayed in Shenavall Bothy and then An Teallach the next day.. It was a hellish wet and windy day that.. and it felt like a munro to me... so 8 to go
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