Cairngorm cracker

[pigeon]

A good forecast seen us heading for the Cairngorms on Sunday,for me and Ian,some unfinished business and for Jim a first visit to this ace neck o' the woods.

early weather looking good

carn a' mhaim in the centre

Derry Cairngorm had eluded myself and Ian twice so this time it was gettin' done.Set off from linn of dee car park at about 7 15 heading for derry lodge,got here in about an hour then continued over the wee boggy bit and then up the heathery hillside to carn crom.

think this is beinn a 'ghlo

Once up here the views opened up to the big peaks of the cairngorms,cairn toul ,angel's peak ,braeriach all looking impressive and ben macdui looked massive,it was pretty windy up here though ,forecast looked to be spot on so far.

cairn toul,braeriach and macdui

me jim and jake

ben macdui and lochan uanie

Made our way from here up to Derry on a good path,surprised by how little snow we came across on this route,had crampons in bag and big clumpy winter boots on(would pay for this later)and made the top of a very windy derry cairngorm after about 3 and a half hours.

jim and ian on a windy derry cairngorm

next target in the distance

Quick photie here then then staggered and stumbled over the big rocks down toward loch etchachan,we were all feeling good and were going to get beinn mheadhion conquered today as well.

loch etchachan

A quick bite to eat down near the loch with great views down to glen derry and then we were of up the steepish bit to mheadhions flat summit plain.

tea break and a look down glen derry

last push to mheadhion

Not far from the summit tor we bumped into walkhighlands regular peteR,(a very nice bloke indeed )and after a wee blether he was off towards Ben Macdui,a long way but i'm sure we'll read about it soon.Pete had told us the scramble up the biggest tor was nothing to worry about so me and jim went for it(not daring to stand up at the top as it was now as windy as god knows whit)Ian took the photies then he and Jake bounded up as well,Jake making it look very easy in about four mad dug style moves .

me and jim triumphant

ian makes it as jake bounds up

Took a bit of shelter for 5 mins at the foot chatting to a guy from ayrshire who gave us a wee scoop from his hip flask (cheers boss)and then started heading back down.

pigeon,jim,ian and jake

loch avon away down there

Was really looking forward to getting the catering on at the hutchison memorial but disaster struck-stove would not light-diagnosis-igniter kapoot!

jake inspects the hut

So with no matches or anything to get it going had to settle for a feeble biscuit and a bit of fruit .Never mind,all that was left now was the 8 miles or so down Glen Derry ,a braw walk indeed but by now the 4 season boots felt like they weighed a ton and to make things worse Jim had developed blisters on his feet .

a look back

Eventually got back to derry lodge and took the boots of for 5 before the last 3 miles back to the car park,people whizzing past us on bikes making us very jealous .Back to car park after 9 hours 15 mins,a long day but really pleased with the way the weather worked out,clear skies all day,a bit windy at times but all in all one of the best days yet on them hills.

a well deserved beer or three in braemar

[Johnny Corbett]

I was just along the road from you guys doing Carn a' Mhaim, great day for it. You guys wern't the only ones experiencing problems with 4 season boots, i was the same. I don't think they like hard tracks I see you mention the bikes as well, again i was the same.

[pigeon]

I was just along the road from you guys doing Carn a' Mhaim, great day for it. You guys wern't the only ones experiencing problems with 4 season boots, i was the same. I don't think they like hard tracks I see you mention the bikes as well, again i was the same.

Just read your report Johnny,is that kibo's you've got?Mines are,they are excellent boots but yesterday was not the day for them.Didn't have any blisters myself just really tired uncomfortable feet.Big Jim though ,he had the dreaded blister Apart from that a great day out

[Johnny Corbett]

Yeah it's the Kibo's i've got. I got the blister on the ankle on the way in so changed the sock and it was fine then on the walk out got the blister on the sole of my other foot. I maybe should have changed both socks

[Huck Finn]

Good report again Dave, looks like a cracking day, good clear photos, that last summit look great, Jake did well to get up it

[jonny616]

Looks like you guys had a great day. Weather was miserable were we where

[jonny616]

Looks like you guys had a great day. Weather was miserable were we where

[gammy leg walker]

Not in the least jealous great report & pics...................note to self,back to the gorms ASAP.

[PeteR]

Excellent report again pigeon And great pictures too Glad you made both hills and that Ian got to the top of meadhoin It was certainly windy on that hill Great summit shots of the Tor

It was a pleasure to meet all three of you and Jake the dug I'll get my report done soon, but managed to bag macdui too The legs know about it today though. That's a long way back from Derry Lodge isn't it!

[ChrisW]

Great report Pigeon of a wonderful area, love the pics of those huge rolling hills with a dusting of snow on for effect, lovely

[2dalmatians]

Some cracking photos. Looks a bit like the Arizona desert in some shots with the big rocks! lol: can't wait to make it up to that playground some time soon!!

[rockhopper]

a cracker right enough pigeon and a great day for it - looks like you had a very enjoyable day - cheers

[quoman]

Cracking report pigeon

some excellent photo's there a like the tor pic you had what looks like a lovely day up there pitty aboot the stove i know how you like your hamemade soup up on the hills

[dooterbang]

Belter of a day to be out in the East - thats why i was in West in the clag

Some nice shots.

Looked a fab outing.

[Frigate]

Must be the spring season for changing socks, only did 14k in the Ochil hills and ended up with chaffed feet. Good report, must say I missed going out with the team and it was quite windy on the golf course too.