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Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!

Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!


Postby jonny616 » Thu Aug 22, 2013 9:57 pm

Route description: Cairn Toul - Braeriach traverse

Munros included on this walk: Braeriach, Cairn Toul, Sgòr an Lochain Uaine, The Devil's Point

Date walked: 17/08/2013

Time taken: 15 hours

Distance: 40.5 km

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I have had a fancy for this walk for a while and was high on my to do list for this year. My August hill day seemed to be the likely time. Shout out to the Munro Meanderers numbers went up and down and as the day approached we were three. Quoman, Scottish leaf and I. So we meet at the Little Chuf on the A9 since you can no longer park at our preferred meeting point, know to all as 'the dogers' lay by. 7am suited and booted at the Sugerbowl car park, the wind is howling but the sky is clear and it is dry. Crossed the road dropped down to the bridge and up the path out of the ravine. Even on the good path from there we where battered all the way to the Charlamagne Gap were the wind seemed to intensify to ensure hopping over the boulders was not easy. It's a weirdly eerie place, as others have mentioned, and there is a wee shrine to the recently departed which just makes it worse. A place we all felt we did not want to hang about in and would not like to go through in winter conditions. Once through we pressed on over a couple more boulder fields before the pools of dee and the better path. The weather had closed in and as wellas being wind swept we were getting fairly wet. The devils point, well some of it, came into view, but it was still ages before we saw the bothy. By the time we went in for a wee seat 5 hours had passed. We ended up stopping for 45 mins, too long given the length of walk. As we headed up to the bealach Bryan was clearly feeling the strain. After a quick chat he said he would make the Devils Point, but probably no more, although turning back would still mean a total day of about 32K. We were going to leave our packs at the bealach but the wind was too strong, we feared they would not be there on our return. The cloud level rose and we had great views from the summit with Mham, Mcdui and Cairn Toulall looking good. Another chat and bid fair well to Bryan at the bealach and as he dropped down Wullie and I pushed on. It was now 3pm. We headed up the shoulder of the top and crossed the boulder field before dropping slightly and heading for Cairn Toul summit. Found this really tough over the boulders and against the wind. Not much view from the summit, just a quick photo and off we go. Once off the boulders it's a pleasant walk to Sgor an Lochain Uaine. We had occasional views of the Lochain, but we dared not go any where near the corrie edge for fear of being blown off. A great shame because there was excellent rimming opportunities to be had. From Sgor to Braeriach is an easy but long way. Although the wind still blew the skies cleared and we had grand views again. We had made it from Devils point to Braeriach in three and a half hours, not bad given the battering we where taking. Just the small matter of the walk out which like the walk in seemed to go on forever, with a couple more boulder fields thrown in just to break the spirit. We manged to get back and through the Charlamagne Gap before the dark closed in. Donning our head torches for the path back to the ravine. Total time of 15 hours all in, knackered but elated, but a no Bryan? Then we heard him coming out of a camper van bidding fair well to his new friends who had given him coffee and wine. Not our usual day of fun and frolics but more of a head down and get on with it type of day, but a good day. I wish Bryan like when he returns to finish them off. Apologies for the lack of pictures but my laptop is not working. Quoman and Bryan will add some, as will I when I sort the laptop.
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jonny616
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Re: Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!

Postby scoob999 » Thu Aug 22, 2013 10:15 pm

Toooo Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :D
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Re: Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!

Postby quoman » Thu Aug 22, 2013 11:17 pm

Was a long day here's some of the pic's.
DSC04878.JPG
first look at the gap
DSC04879.JPG
windy camera shaking allover the place
DSC04883.JPG
the start of the Chalamain Gap
DSC04884.JPG
Chalamain Gap
DSC04885.JPG
Chalamain Gap again
DSC04892.JPG
Bryan and Jonny going through the Chalamain Gap
DSC04899.JPG
the weather up the Lairig Ghru
DSC04903.JPG
DSC04907.JPG
pools of Dee
DSC04907.JPG
pools of Dee
DSC04910.JPG
Corrour Bothy
DSC04912.JPG
Jonny616 on way up to the Devil's point
DSC04917.JPG
looking to the Bothy from the summit of DP
DSC04922.JPG
back along the Lairig Ghru
DSC04924.JPG
summit Devils point
DSC04927.JPG
back to the devils point
DSC04930.JPG
jonny616 summit of Cairn Toul
DSC04934.JPG
walk up to Sgurr an Lochain Uaine
DSC04935.JPG
the Lochain
DSC04938.JPG
summit Sgor an Lochain Uaine
DSC04940.JPG
to Braeriach
DSC04943.JPG
cliffs of Braeriach
DSC04944.JPG
Attachments
DSC04945.JPG
summit Braeriach
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Re: Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!

Postby ChrisW » Fri Aug 23, 2013 2:19 am

Great report Jonny and cracking pics Quoman, sounds like a bloody long day and some good graft amongst it but still fit enough to slip in a couple of 'ooh eerrr mrs' comments eh....
We had occasional views of the Lochain, but we dared not go any where near the corrie edge for fear of being blown off. A great shame because there was excellent rimming opportunities to be had.
:shock: ............... :lol: :lol:
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Re: Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!

Postby Lenore » Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:43 am

Tough one! Well done on finishing it. Like that rainbow picture!
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Re: Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!

Postby SusieThePensioner » Fri Aug 23, 2013 6:10 pm

Great report Jonny and well done quoman for the photos :thumbup:
A long walk and made harder by that wind and the boulder fields :roll:
When I was still able to walk, boulder fields and me didn't mix very well.........I have short legs and a short stride which weren't the best :lol:
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Re: Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!

Postby pollyh33 » Fri Aug 23, 2013 6:56 pm

Oooooft what a day out guys! Well done.

Ah so the doggers has been replaced by the Little Chuf- good to see MWSPC hasn't deviated from its original theme!
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Re: Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!

Postby gammy leg walker » Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:54 pm

Much awesomeness m"on the Meanderers.
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Re: Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!

Postby Tomsie » Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:56 pm

Long day from either side.
Put a few rocks in bag to stop blowing away just remember to take out. Lol
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Re: Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!

Postby gammy leg walker » Sat Aug 24, 2013 7:15 am

100 to go mate,wait for me :lol:
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Re: Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!

Postby jonny616 » Sat Aug 24, 2013 12:23 pm

scoob999 wrote:Toooo Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :D


Exactly
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Re: Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!

Postby jonny616 » Sat Aug 24, 2013 12:28 pm

Lenore wrote:Tough one! Well done on finishing it. Like that rainbow picture!



Cheers Lenore. Picture makes me look like 'a monster coming over the hill'!
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Re: Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!

Postby jonny616 » Sat Aug 24, 2013 12:29 pm

ChrisW wrote:Great report Jonny and cracking pics Quoman, sounds like a bloody long day and some good graft amongst it but still fit enough to slip in a couple of 'ooh eerrr mrs' comments eh....
We had occasional views of the Lochain, but we dared not go any where near the corrie edge for fear of being blown off. A great shame because there was excellent rimming opportunities to be had.
:shock: ............... :lol: :lol:


Always time for ooh errrr mrs whatever the weather :lol:
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Re: Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!

Postby jonny616 » Sat Aug 24, 2013 12:32 pm

SusieThePensioner wrote:Great report Jonny and well done quoman for the photos :thumbup:
A long walk and made harder by that wind and the boulder fields :roll:
When I was still able to walk, boulder fields and me didn't mix very well.........I have short legs and a short stride which weren't the best :lol:


Thanks Susan. It will be a while before I wish to see another boulder field. I too am short leg stride combo. :lol:
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Re: Anyway the wind blows, it doesn't really matter!

Postby jonny616 » Sat Aug 24, 2013 12:34 pm

pollyh33 wrote:Oooooft what a day out guys! Well done.

Ah so the doggers has been replaced by the Little Chuf- good to see MWSPC hasn't deviated from its original theme!


Deviants that don't deviate :lol:

Little Chuf better than a big Chuf :lol: :lol:
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