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The Cairnwell 3

The Cairnwell 3


Postby thand » Mon Jan 16, 2012 9:28 pm

Route description: The Cairnwell Munros

Munros included on this walk: Càrn a' Ghèoidh, Càrn Aosda, The Cairnwell

Date walked: 16/01/2012

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So after a year of reading everybody else's reports and chipping in with the occasional question I thought it was only right that I share my walk from the weekend....

Shockingly this is my first winter walk in Scotland and for it we picked the Cairnwell. Due to the forecast it seemed that these (apparently) boring munros might provide some epic scenery and an enjoyable walk for a mixed group. We weren't disappointed!!

Out of Aberdeen at 7.30 we were enjoying a last warm coffee in the cafe at 9.30 and then onto Cairn Aosda for 10.
P1000916.JPG
summit of K2?



A quick easy trip up this hill and we were soon enjoying the landscape (and posing for some overly pompous photos). Then over to Carn a'Gheoidh past the frozen lake (is that a boat house?) before getting to kick steps up to the summit. A longer stop on top here for some welcome sandwiches and warm drinks, and a scan of the landscape (can anyone confirm the impressive peak we could see NNW in the far distance - 3rd photo down).
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Heading for number 2
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Any ideas what mountain this is?
P1000936.JPG
Anybody got a sledge?
P1000942.JPG


Then a couple of cheeky (ahem) bum slides back down off the peak and we were soon enjoying the walk around the edge of the plateau on to The Cairnwell. :lol:
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Back to Carn a'Gheoidh
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Such a shame to come to this as a last peak the mausoleum style cairn really sums up what has been done to this poor hill (along with the empty stella bottles we found and carried off).
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Looks better from this distance
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not what it looks like...


Sun starting to get low now so crampons on for a bit of practice and we were able to hoof it down the ski runs just in time for a well deserved hot chocolate.

Beautifull weather and great company made this one of my most enjoyable days out (quite unexpected from what I had read about these hils)
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thand
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Re: The Cairnwell 3

Postby monty » Mon Jan 16, 2012 9:54 pm

Hi thand,
Its a nice route in winter but looks like a lot of the snow has disappeared. Looks like you had fun though. The Mountains to the north in your picture. The one on the left with the big chunk out of it I think is Cairn toul with the Angels Peak behind and Braeriach above the other corrie. These hills are on the west of the Lairig ghru. :D
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Re: The Cairnwell 3

Postby thand » Mon Jan 16, 2012 10:03 pm

Thanks Monty - yes the disappearing snow was a little disappointing but still a great day out and definately the right time of year to do it. Will stick to the easier winter walks for now but go for Cairn Toul in the summer!!!! :lol:
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Re: The Cairnwell 3

Postby Johnny Corbett » Mon Jan 16, 2012 10:11 pm

I think the hill is An Socach, the ones Monty mentions are further north i'm sure. I could be wrong though :?
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Re: The Cairnwell 3

Postby thand » Mon Jan 16, 2012 10:27 pm

Thanks Johnny C - I think An Socath is a bit closer than this hill, it was right on the limit of what we can see (24x zoom was maxed out)
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Re: The Cairnwell 3

Postby MarilynMunro » Mon Jan 16, 2012 10:48 pm

Some lovely photos of what looked like a good day in great weather :D

Cheers for posting.

What is it with people who can carry something up a hill full but can't bring it back down empty :? :? arrrrrgggghh and presumably they went up there for the views :shock:
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Re: The Cairnwell 3

Postby Steve B » Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:37 am

Looks like a good route for the weather. I think that I will need to do these soon or when a bit more snow arrives.
Good pictures.
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Re: The Cairnwell 3

Postby Ranger » Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:08 am

Glas Tulaichean looks terrific under snow from the Cairnwell - a shot with a top quality zoomed lens could make it look quite alpine in the right conditions :)
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Re: The Cairnwell 3

Postby ronofcam » Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:14 am

Johnny Corbett wrote:I think the hill is An Socach, the ones Monty mentions are further north i'm sure. I could be wrong though :?

The mountains in the picture are (from left to right): Sgor an Lochain Uaine (just visible), Cairn Toul, Braeriach (the large corrie is Coire Bhrochain), Sron na Lairige. The slope on the right is the western flank of Ben Macdui, possibly around the Clach an Taillear area.
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Re: The Cairnwell 3

Postby Johnny Corbett » Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:20 am

ronofcam wrote:
Johnny Corbett wrote:I think the hill is An Socach, the ones Monty mentions are further north i'm sure. I could be wrong though :?

The mountains in the picture are (from left to right): Sgor an Lochain Uaine (just visible), Cairn Toul, Braeriach (the large corrie is Coire Bhrochain), Sron na Lairige. The slope on the right is the western flank of Ben Macdui, possibly around the Clach an Taillear area.


I'm amazed at how close they look, i think i need a new camera possibly glasses as well :D
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Re: The Cairnwell 3

Postby quoman » Tue Jan 17, 2012 1:05 pm

Hi thand
You had a cracking day and nice photos.
done them when the first of the snow was here but had a whiteout most of the way plus the wind was atrocious.
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Re: The Cairnwell 3

Postby ChrisW » Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:10 pm

Great stuff thand, cracking pics of a nice triple. These hills get too much bad press I reckon, I did them on a sunny day in May last year and still enjoyed em. Kudos to you for packing out the litter :D
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Re: The Cairnwell 3

Postby PeteR » Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:34 pm

Another nice report of these three hills. An unfortunate reputation they have, but well worth a winter trip :D You had some great pictures there too - very crisp and clear :D
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