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Our main objective for our visit to the Cairngorms was to climb to the high point of the range Ben Macdui. Wednesday looked to be the best weather for the week so Wednesday it was that we drove to the ski center/funicular railway on a fine morning. As a lover of wild places it’s hard to view the railway and ski paraphernalia with anything other than a degree of distaste but given it enables a start from over 2000 feet and several miles closer I’ll not complain too much.
We set off along the well-made path in a very comfortable temperature for walking. The difference between Macdui and Nevis may only be a few feet but thankfully the difference in foot fall is immense with numbers of other walkers measured in the tens and not the hundreds.
Looking back to Loch Morlich by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Onwards and upwards by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
For the only time during the day the sun came out as we enjoyed the easy going and impressive views of the crags of Cairn Lochan. Onwards and upwards we went soon getting views of the Cairngorm giants of Carn Toul and Braeriach as well as a sunlit Lurcher’s Crag. The recent warm weather had melted much of the snow but there was still a few isolated patches near to the path as we walked above the impressive Larig Ghru.
Cairn Lochan by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The Great Slab by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Ptarmagain and chick by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
A sunlit Lurcher's Crag by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Walking above the Lairig Ghru by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The boulder field enlivened proceedings a little but soon enough we were on the final pull up to the summit. We’ve certainly never been to a place quite like the Cairngorm plateau; just how creatures scratch out a living in this place is remarkable. The Snow buntings and Ptarmigan appear to like it however and we several of each species with fledglings. On a fine day like today navigation is very simple but in poor visibility the potential for getting lost all too obvious, I was certainly glad to be visiting in such benign conditions.
Hughie checks out a colourful cairngorm pool by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Dappled sunlight on Brearach by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Carn Tool, Braeriach Panorama by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
follow link for bigger version
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkaysleftleg/9531893406/lightbox/Ant Hill by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
We reached the summit in just about three hours which for us was quite good going. The view from the summit might lack depth but the sheer number of summits visible is quite something. Clearest views were to the north with what could only be a very distant Morven clearly visible.
Hughie admiring Grace on Ben Macdui by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
In Ben Macdudi summit shelter by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
We had lunch in the shelter watching the bold little Snow Buntings wanting our scraps and discovered it was quite chilly once you stopped walking. We had the summit to ourselves for a while, which was nice but it was soon time to head off towards our next target of Cairngorm.
Looking towards Shelter Stone Crag by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The way was very clear as we dropped back down from Ben Macdui and headed for the highway of a path heading behind Cairn Lochan. Some fine views opened up looking east towards Shelter Stone Crag and Loch Avon but the best was saved for reaching the edge of Coire an t-Sneachda, a real wow moment.
Fiacaill buttress by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Coire an t-Sneachda by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Crags of Coire an t-Sneachda by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
We had a rest taking in the stunning rock architecture before making our way over the minor top of Stob Coire an t-Sneachda and onto the final ascent of the day up Cairn Gorm. It was a bit of a slog given the miles already in our legs but we got there soon enough. It was incredibly still a top Cairn Gorm, hard to believe that wind speeds of over 170mph have been recorded here when today there wasn't so much as a breath. We took in the considerable view (ignoring the weather station that recorded that wind speed) before heading down towards the ptarmigan.
Cairngorm view by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Follow link for big version
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkaysleftleg/9531911350/Grace and Hughie on Cairngorm by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Moody cairns on Cairngorm by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
All was left was to descend past the ski runs, signage, railway station etc and back to the car. It had been a surprisingly straightforward walk but enjoyable and a fine first experience of the Cairngorm plateau.
Looking back to Cairngorm by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Unfortunately we were unable to get a second walk upon the plateau as the wind and rain returned in force on the Thursday and washed it out completely before a bright and very breezy Friday was spent walking around the Morrone birkwoods.
Morrone Birkwood by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
All in all a fine two week holiday spent in two very differing areas of Scotland. We will certainly be returning to both areas in the coming years.