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Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's Point

Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's Point


Postby Petr Dakota » Tue Mar 24, 2015 5:57 pm

Route description: Cairn Toul - Braeriach traverse

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

Date walked: 02/10/2014

Time taken: 13 hours

Distance: 35 km

Ascent: 2323m

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After our short family holiday at the end of september - in a tent at a camp site near Aviemore, where we enjoyed all the beauty in Cairngorms and also visited the summit of Cairn Gorm, I really wanted to come back soon and conquer some nice Munros until the daylight will get too short for a big trip. :)
October began, daylight in the time 7:00 - 19:00... :roll:
I used this WH website to prepare some route for a big day. I found the Braeriach traverze incl. 4 Munros, interested for it for the views rating and also because 3 of the 4 are in TOP 5 highest in Scotland...but I really wanted get also Ben Macdui somehow, as the 2nd highest mountain... I did not want miss the opportunity. Looking at routes, Braeriach traverse one side for a big trip and Ben Macdui another side usually completed with Cairn Gorm, I decided to try connect them in one way. There is also different start-finish point for each the route, but I planned to start from the Cairngorm Ski Centre carpark, use the path to Ben Macdui, then somehow overcome the descent to Glen Dee, join the Lairig Ghru path, climb up to The Devil's Point, then continue the Traverse route and after Braeriach leave the path again and walk through a natural terain back to Ski Centre. Counting the estimate walking time and thinking about the shorter daylight, I prepared myself to be there very early, start in the darkness use the path rather than finish in darkness without any path on the end. A little worries about the weather forecast, very strong wind 45-65MPH as there is a lot of opened areas - plateau...but not rain expectation :crazy: :)
Well, decision made, prepared all necessary stuff and gear, looking forward to go 8) :wink:
I arrived to the Ski Centre carpark very early morning, darkness and very strong wind outside...preparation was not easy as the wind was really disturbing, I was struggling get ready as the wind was pushing the door of my car :crazy: :shock: Nobody else there... :lol: Finally I started at 6:00 am, protected against the wind and used my torch for the beginning 8)
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After 1 hour of walk in darkness the daylight started finally
:)
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Looking back after connecting the edge above Glen Dee
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Ben Macdui summit, misty...no visibility...no views...and need to find a possible way for a safe descent down to Glen Dee...the wind is disturbing when you try to remove anything from pockets or from rucksack
:( :roll:
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1st one done !
:D
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Self timer worked...but my hands felt freezy after short time without gloves
:lol:
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Fortunatelly I found a good place for descent and after short time the fog disappeared...I felt more confidence and I was happy to see ahead. View of Glen Dee and The Devils Point
:D
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The Devil's Point closer
There is a small but durable foot bridge to for crossing the river...
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Bothy under The Devil's Point...can be very helpful sometime
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South-West view from The Devil's Point
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South view to Glen Dee from The Devil's Point summit
8)
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I was very happy and grateful for this shelter...allowed me some refresment from the wind around
:clap: :D
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After short refreshment continue my way. Next targed Cairn Toul ahead
:wink:
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Looking back to The Devil's Point and Glen Dee
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Ben Macdui opposite...clear visibility there now
:? :lol:
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Cairn Toul
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Wide view from Cairn Toul
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Braeriach opposite, but still need go around and reach also the Sgorr an Lochain Uaine...
:)
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Sgorr an Locjain Uaine done, continuing my way to the Braeriach. Ben Macdui in distance
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Looking back to Sgorr an Lochain Uaine and Cairn Toul
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Near to the Braeriach
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From the summit of Braeriach
8) :)
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Another great view from Braeriach
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On my way from Braeriach to the car park...still so far away...
:crazy: :)
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Way no way...but hurry to the car park - darkness comming slowly, some tricky hidden boggy places need to overcome, but enjoying the views around
:wink:
I got to the car park at 19:00 and even in the time nobody else there...some fight against wind again to remove my stuff and put it into car :crazy: :? but great feelings after the big trip in the Cairngorms !!! :D 8) :wink:
Last edited by Petr Dakota on Fri Jun 09, 2017 7:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Petr Dakota
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Posts: 1274
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Location: North Lanarkshire

Re: Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's P

Postby Petr Dakota » Tue Mar 24, 2015 6:04 pm

Short video from The Devil's Point - great view around:
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Petr Dakota
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Re: Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's P

Postby larry groo » Tue Mar 24, 2015 6:24 pm

Brilliant...

Another classic Petr!!

:clap: :clap: :clap:
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Re: Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's P

Postby The Rodmiester » Tue Mar 24, 2015 6:39 pm

Another BIG BIG day there Petr, you don't do anything by halves do you :lol: :lol: Looked pretty wild at the start of the walk, good effort though :clap: :clap: Your some fit guy, or you should be after all these walks :lol: Great stuff, I await the next epic.
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Re: Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's P

Postby Petr Dakota » Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:33 pm

larry groo wrote:Brilliant...

Another classic Petr!!

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Thank you :)
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Petr Dakota
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Re: Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's P

Postby Petr Dakota » Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:36 pm

The Rodmiester wrote:Another BIG BIG day there Petr, you don't do anything by halves do you :lol: :lol: Looked pretty wild at the start of the walk, good effort though :clap: :clap: Your some fit guy, or you should be after all these walks :lol: Great stuff, I await the next epic.

Thank you Rod :) Nothing by halves :D Still not so fit as I should be :? :D but I am trying :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Petr Dakota
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Re: Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's P

Postby Alteknacker » Tue Mar 24, 2015 11:54 pm

Wild country, wild weather! And a big long day. Looks like it was great fun, wind notwithstanding.

Some evocative pics too :clap: :clap: :clap:

But what happened to Derry C and Carn a' Mhaim ...??? :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's P

Postby gaffr » Wed Mar 25, 2015 7:54 am

Good effort and fine images....however if it is come blow your horn time. :lol: When I was in my early thirties, some forty years ago, I travelled over these tops on a winter's day but also included both Carn a'Mhaim and Cairngorm. Crampons on for most of the day out but I didn't get out to Derry Cairngorm. :lol:
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Re: Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's P

Postby Happyfeet » Wed Mar 25, 2015 9:51 am

Looked like a superb day Petr :D
And another nice report incl photos :clap:

'....not as fit as you would like...' Well i tell you, if you go any faster, you might as well fly!! Mountain Spirit :lol:
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Re: Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's P

Postby Petr Dakota » Wed Mar 25, 2015 4:11 pm

Alteknacker wrote:Wild country, wild weather! And a big long day. Looks like it was great fun, wind notwithstanding.

Some evocative pics too :clap: :clap: :clap:

But what happened to Derry C and Carn a' Mhaim ...??? :lol: :lol: :lol:


Thank you :) Derry Cairngorm and Carn a'Mhaim kept quite :lol: not time to attached them and get back in daylight as I was in hurry at home then :wink: But they are in queue for next :lol:
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Re: Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's P

Postby Petr Dakota » Wed Mar 25, 2015 4:15 pm

gaffr wrote:Good effort and fine images....however if it is come blow your horn time. :lol: When I was in my early thirties, some forty years ago, I travelled over these tops on a winter's day but also included both Carn a'Mhaim and Cairngorm. Crampons on for most of the day out but I didn't get out to Derry Cairngorm. :lol:

Thank you :) My early thirties was 16 years ago :lol: :wink: Good effort from you too for the hills in winter conditions. :clap: :clap: I see you have left only one Munro to do - hope it is not the Derry Cairgorm ? :o :lol:
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Petr Dakota
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Re: Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's P

Postby Petr Dakota » Wed Mar 25, 2015 4:19 pm

Happyfeet wrote:Looked like a superb day Petr :D
And another nice report incl photos :clap:

'....not as fit as you would like...' Well i tell you, if you go any faster, you might as well fly!! Mountain Spirit :lol:

Thank you Emmelie, always appreciating your comments :D Glad that you like the report and photos :D
Maybe for my age 46 is not so bad, but I feel so far away to be fit :lol:
But keeping the mountain Spirit in any condition :wink:
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Petr Dakota
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Re: Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's P

Postby Huff_n_Puff » Wed Mar 25, 2015 9:21 pm

Oh many thanks for this - we're planning the Devil's Point to Braeriach traverse tho summer so it was really helpful to see the route. You really do some amazing trips, I'm full of admiration :D
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Re: Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's P

Postby Petr Dakota » Thu Mar 26, 2015 12:01 am

Huff_n_Puff wrote:Oh many thanks for this - we're planning the Devil's Point to Braeriach traverse tho summer so it was really helpful to see the route. You really do some amazing trips, I'm full of admiration :D

Thank you :) I appreciate your words and I'm glad that it's useful for you. Have a good trip there in summer :)
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Petr Dakota
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1274
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Sub 2000:3   Hewitts:19
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Location: North Lanarkshire

Re: Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's P

Postby Petr Dakota » Thu Mar 26, 2015 8:11 am

Some more photos:
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DSCF9054.JPG
DSCF9055a.jpg
DSCF9058.JPG
DSCF9065.JPG
User avatar
Petr Dakota
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1274
Munros:247   Corbetts:28
Fionas:8   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:3   Hewitts:19
Wainwrights:12   Islands:1
Joined: Sep 3, 2014
Location: North Lanarkshire

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