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First attempt on 03.08.13 aborted in front of the Cairngorm Ski Centre weather report board. The words "severe", "blown over", "increasing strength" and "gale force" posted on the weather report for the day put paid to any attempt (particularly after our failed attempt at Bynack More earlier on in the year where we'd turned back at the very last section because of dangerously high winds).
Second and successful attempt the following day (04.08.13). Still pretty windy but not enough to put us off.
- Feeling perky during the first ascent of the day up into Coire Cas
Trotted out off up Cairn Gorm and wind was blustery increasing to wild when we crested the shoulder at the cairn.
- Worryingly Al looks done in at this point...and we're only on the shoulder of CairnGorm
Did struggle to stay upright at this point but thankfully the wind was less intense as we dropped down into Coire Raibert.
The path down Coire Raibert was being spruced up and we follwed large white bags of boulders along the path until we met a dedicated team constructing a more robust path. We left the path builders behind and descended near Stag Rocks at the side of the stream. It was more a scramble down than a walk but dramatic and enjoyable looking at stunning Loch Avon far below us and the lofty barns atop Beinn Mheadhoin (which we hoped to reach).
After a very rocky descent we made it to the sandy shore of Loch Avon where we met a very pleasant older couple and their wee beige poodle. The chap had walked the area several times and said that Beinn Mheadhoin really makes you feel liked you've EARNED a Munro. We liked the sound of that and with a spring in our step we continued along the sandy shore and crossed at the fan of stepping stones in the water. The water level seemed pretty low and so the stepping stones were straightforward (even for Alice-she'll give me gyp if she reads this).
Loved spending time at Loch Avon, the water was the clearest I've ever seen and you could almost count the sand grains on the floor of the loch. A real turquoise fringed gem of a loch. The water was tasty too and very refreshing.
- Water levels were really quite low and some helpful soul had made two fan shaped sets of stepping stones at the mouth of the loch. Fun on the way out and fun on the way back
Now onto the serious stuff as we tackled the ascent on the rocky and shale-y path which was slippery in places. The Shelter Stone Crag was an imposing tower to the right of us and all around us were steep rocky sides, save for our narrow path heading upwards towards the shoulder of Beinn Mheadhoin.
- The imposing shelter stone crag. The shelter stone itself was a little trickier to find.
Once onto the shoulder we were unable to find a clear path up the final steep ascent and made our way up the rocky sides until we reached the first of the impressive barns. Being a Derbyshire lass, the barns were very reminiscent of the gritstone edges around the Dark Peak, in particular the "Coach and horses" and the "salt cellar" which look down onto Ladybower, Derwent and Howden dams.
- After two pretty gruelling ascents, the VERY welcome sight of the flat-topped summit tor comes into view.
We struck out for the largest central barn (the picture on the WH route was helpful in identifying it) and by this point it was incredibly windy and wild but thankfully no rain.
- Scarily blowy up here. Note how little size 6 Alice hangs back away from the edge!!!
David and Alice made the first ascent to the true summit, posed for photos before I then did the same. Struggled to stand upright and adopted an ungainly pose in an effort to remain vertical for my photo.
- I MAY look like I'm jumping up and down like a pixie here but in reality I'm bracing myself against the incredibly strong winds up there.
Back down again and we wedged ourselves against the side of the tor for lunch.
The views from here were incredibly far reaching. We could clearly make out Ben Wyvis on the far side of the Cromarty Firth and picked out the distinct shape of Ben Rinnes near Aberlour.
- The distinctive long "ridge" leading up to Ben Rinnes with the rounded Convals beyond. As seen from Beinn Mheadhoin summit
Could even make out the pointed dome of Morven in Caithness. Really great to see so far.
- A close up of imposing Ben MacDui (good to actually SEE the summit, given our last "view" of it in driving July snow!!)
On the rocky descent we got drenched in a fierce but brief shower and by the time we'd reached the rocky and very slippery path leading to the Loch Avon basin we were dry again. Did a bit of a detour here to try and locate the Shelter Stone. There were lots of pretenders with their blocked up sides and hollowed out bases under many of the large boulders but David discovered the true Shelter Stone (identified by the cairn on top of it).
- Spectacular Loch Avon far below and not so spectacular ascent awaiting us on the far side.
We made our way across the "beach" again and off towards the steep stony climb back up the side of the cascading stream. This was a proper scramble as we used all limbs available to hoik ourselves upwards. This was the toughest part of the walk and we were very chuffed when Coire Raibert was reached. We recovered enough to look sufficiently jaunty as we passed the path builders again and then the endless uphill trek back to the shoulder cairn on Cairn Gorm and back down via Coire Cas.
- Grim rainclouds over Beinn Mheadhoin as seen from the shoulder of Cairn Gorm.
The funicular was running its last run of the day and we felt super smug and proud as we descended past people who had just got off the funicular car at the halfway station.
- Woo hoo!!!! We've done it!!! Can see the car far below too...and on the distant horizon the shadowy outline of Ben Wyvis across the Cromarty Firth
Made it back to the carpark in a time of 8 hours and 1 minute.
This was a brilliant walk and the sense of achievement for one Munro can not be underestimated.
Walked by David (41), Sarah (41) and Alice (30)