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With another miserable weekend forecast, I thought I'd post up a report on a brilliant Corbett in the Cairngorms which we done on 6th December 2008.
We travelled up to Aviemore on the friday evening. We took the car as the YH don't allow camper-vans and because it was the Cairngorms it was an economic argument of fuel versus accomodation cost, and we decided on the YH. We were offered a twin room, so at least there'd be a limited chance of being cooped up with the normal farting and snoring brigade!
We dropped the bags and set off to find a decent pub in Aviemore. After a few pints during the search, we eventually ended up in the Old Bridge Inn. A great hoot it turned out to be. Loads of beer and some cracking laughs!!
Just as well our normal punctuality and inhibitions were completely shot as this allowed us merrily to leave the boozer at 0030 in full knowledge that the YH locked the front door at midnight! Luckily, a smoker had left the door ajar and we were in. We then had a right old feast of curry, chocolate, and cheese before hitting the sack.
Next morning it was up early to head up to Glenmore Lodge to park up. The roads were like glass. Certainly not gritted and with a 1" layer of polished ice on top. Lovely. We passed a car on it's roof in a ditch next to Rothiemurchus which had just happened. The folk were alright and others had stopped, so we continued on our way.
The parking area at the dead-end next to Glenmore Lodge.
This day was going to be a cracker. The skies were clearing and the sun was licking the tops of the peaks. The track was solid frozen as we headed up towards Ryvoan Bothy.
Looking south from Ryvoan Bothy, the sun just touching the plateau.
It's a cracking wee bothy and was actually a bit warmer than outside, rare for a bothy. We took the opportunity to have the obligatory Breakfast Becks. Braw!!
We followed a path with lots of footprints directly west from the bothy. A well engineered path which contoured up the hillside. Looking back at the bothy.
The path disappeared a few times in knee deep powdery snow as we approached the summit. The conditions were stunning.
The view over towards Bynack More:
The view East:
I think this was North?
The ice on the cairn.
We decided to return via the bealach with Creagan Gorm, making a nice circular route. The views on our descent towards Loch Morlich.
A great day out in the Cairngorms. Has to be one of the best days yet.
