Cairngorms 3 Munros Marathon: 42 km Nonstop Walk - no bike

[Petr Dakota]

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Finally free weekend after many weekends in work, I was looking forward to go to the mountains again and spend longer time there. Originally I wanted go on saturday, but some unexpected things happened and I prepared myself for atleast sunday's trip. Because of early start in work on monday the sunday meant get back home earlier. Checking the weather forecast and possibilities the Cairngorms looked like a good choice for the sunday.
Not decided what exactly, I wanted start from Linn of Dee and do any Munros from Carn a'Mhaim, Derry Cairngorm, Beinn a'Chaoirainn, Beinn a'Bhuird and Ben Avon...I kept it opened and left the decision for later, when I will see how it looks there. As I looked in the WH, those Munros are mostly reached using a bike on the beginning as the road there is suitable for a bike and the initial ( and then finish ) distance is long enough. Unfortunatelly my bike was stolen last year and I'm not planning to buy another one yet, so I was determined for a long walk. I woke up at 02:30 and left home before 04:00 am.
Here is the photostory:

On the road to Linn of Dee: stopped my car here to catch the sunrise - looking back to Braemar

River Dee along the road to Linn of Dee

Linn of Dee car park: £ 2.00 is the parking fee per a day and car. I arrived there around 06:30, paid the ticket, prepared all my stuff quickly as the Midges welcoming ceremony showed me very forcefully that any slow moving or stopping in this area will be properly rewarded ! Then I started my walk at 06:38 - quickly disappeared in the short forest used the path to Glen Lui.

Walking in the forest...the sunshine promised a good day

Outside the forest I crossed a bridge - after 2 km of walk from the car park, turned left and joined the main wider road along the Lui Water...This shot is made around 1 km from the starting point

After 3 km from the start, I left the main road - turned right for the first ascent...here I definitely decided that I will walk to the distanced Ben Avon first and then add some more Munros on the way back around, anti-clockwise. All depends on the conditions ( terrain and mine ), weather and time... This view is towards South-West, back - down to the main road

Silent walk via Clais Fhearnaig

...and the narrow view more ahead

Along the "grassy" water...

Out of the Glen, looking back...

Towards South-East, opened view and Lochnagar in the background

Here I joined another wider trail towards North

I crossed the river ( some deeper-wet steps ) and turned right in the junction. Looking back towards South over Quoich Water

I met a group of young walkers and overtook them in another crosing point, they looked enjoying the walk together and prepared for a long day. Nice to see how atleast some young people are enjoying the Outdoor. After some distance the path was interrupted by this stream. I wanted avoid the water and decided to continue along and hopefully find a better place to overcome

After a rough walk I finally found a better crossing point, went through some boggy places and then joined this nice and much more comfortable path

Clach a Cleirich

Looking back...all the opened distance

Higher level, near the point I turned right and started the ascent to Ben Avon. Weather changed, very misty, no visibility and colder air, but the visibility was clear again for a while...then changes every one minute...

Ascending to Ben Avon and looking back to the junction, Beinn a'Bhuird opposite, covered by clouds

Walked in fog, then I finally saw the first sign of the summit

...clear view shortly after. My first Munro on the route - reached after 19 km of walk !

After the summit inspection I walked back and turned for this shot as the weather allowed the view from the distance now

...and one more

Photostory continues in the next post - in the comments below:

[Petr Dakota]

Walking from Ben Avon, the view towards Beinn a'Bhuird is clear now

Towards North

...and towards South, the way I came before

Some clouds coming again...

Towards North again, from the ascent of Beinn a'Bhuird

...one more towards North

Ascending Beinn a'Bhuird and looking back to the clear Ben Avon

View from the Beinn a'Bhuird plateau - towards South

Another view from the plateau...something good for a moment as the most of time on the plateau was really cold, windy and sometime poor visibility. The summit was nothing special to see, so I was grateful for those views. There I used my jacket and my thoughts belonged also to my gloves, which I left ( first time that day ) at home. Always before I had my gloves in my rucksack even in summer time, just in case...but for the sunday's trip I decided to go without.

Looking back over the plateau of Beinn a'Bhuird

The path continues down from Beinn a'Bhuird, but I turned right to try connect Beinn Bhreac opposite. Descending slowly on the slipy grass, there I started feel my right knee is getting pain and my left ankle in pain as well - pressed by my boots. I was surprised by the ankle as my boots are very comfortable and it never happened before. I guessed that the Munro no.3 on my route will be really hard in this sore conditions, but I tried to keep my pace. Still far away from the car park yet, around 16 km to go ! ...and without any path now if I want connect the third Munro

After descending I saw the Munro ahead very distanced and going through the boggy rough terrain was endless ( I wish the fog is now rather than see far ahead ), every step I knew I have the knee and the ankle too

As I hoped I joined a path later and continued to get on the Beinn Bhreac faster

Lochnagar in the distance

Nice view from the summit of Beinn Bhreac towards South

I decided to use this descent

Not so nice to see this...and worse to walk down especially under my knee and ankle condition

Towards West to Derry Cairngorm

Some nice colours in the lower level

Many bikes hidden in more places here

Derry Lodge

Looking back...nice sunny day and much warmer here in the bottom

...and looking ahead the endless way

the bridge near the car park

View from the bridge, towards North

I got to the car park at 16:10 after 9.5 hours of walk since morning's start there and despite the pain in the last a "few" kilometres I felt great, enjoyed another great day in the mountains !

[PerthAlly]

FFS Petr

My legs are in agony reading your report!

I won't be considering those munros till I acquire a bike.

Did get out last Sunday and tackled The Saddle. It's easy compared to the 3 you've just nailed.

Top bloke

[weaselmaster]

Cheers Petr
Nice circuit and good to walk it - bikes are for wimps
It's also good to walk up through Glen Quoich - possibly my favourite glen in the 'gorms

[Petr Dakota]

FFS Petr

My legs are in agony reading your report!

I won't be considering those munros till I acquire a bike.

Did get out last Sunday and tackled The Saddle. It's easy compared to the 3 you've just nailed.

Top bloke

Thanks Ally My legs are ok, just the knee was problem in the end as I am heavyweighter but it's ok now...the ankle - sore - sensitive for a touch, dont know why...until the time, my boots made me always feeling very comfortable, nothing hard there
The Saddle is still in my to-do list, but probably next year as I have done some hills there in Kintail for now

[Petr Dakota]

Cheers Petr
Nice circuit and good to walk it - bikes are for wimps
It's also good to walk up through Glen Quoich - possibly my favourite glen in the 'gorms

Thanks and I agree, nice circuit in great area in a good day
Cairngorms is the area where you can create any route to connect any Munros you wish...different ways
I will try the Glen Quoich some day, thanks The reason I started by Glen Lui was the expected finish from closer Munros and i decided to start by Ben Avon during my walk
Proudly walker

[PerthAlly]

Petr

My recovery times aren't as good as I get older. Rarely my ankles, but my knees take a day or two to recover.

Plus, I've not done any big days out like you. I hope to try the Lochnagar 5 this autumn and that will be my only big outing this autumn.

The Saddle is excellent. 2 munros in just under 6 hours. Easy day to you!

[jamesb63]

Excellent report as usuall Petr with some very nice pics
nice to see the heather in bloom also
be a few weeks before i get back to the hills myself
got full on with work just now

[ancancha]

Avery long walk Petr
Great area though, views from the mountains, rivers with beaches and great colour with the pines and heather.
Well done

[Petr Dakota]

Petr

My recovery times aren't as good as I get older. Rarely my ankles, but my knees take a day or two to recover.

Plus, I've not done any big days out like you. I hope to try the Lochnagar 5 this autumn and that will be my only big outing this autumn.

The Saddle is excellent. 2 munros in just under 6 hours. Easy day to you!

Hi Ally, the Lochnagar circle of 5M is great walk and I wish you a good weather for the trip.
I'm looking forward to do The Saddle especially the Forcan ridge

[Petr Dakota]

Excellent report as usuall Petr with some very nice pics
nice to see the heather in bloom also
be a few weeks before i get back to the hills myself
got full on with work just now

Thanks James Hope you will walk the mountains soon again

[Petr Dakota]

Avery long walk Petr
Great area though, views from the mountains, rivers with beaches and great colour with the pines and heather.
Well done

Thank you You described the views really sententiously Great area there

[spiderwebb]

Wow Petr, my kind of walk ,off paths etc, but that's some going too, excellent, well done. Seeing as your a heavy weighter best not walk with you in case you get into trouble and I have to carry you out be ok the other way round

Glad you got view of Ben Avon, the tors are superb, great pics.

[Petr Dakota]

Wow Petr, my kind of walk ,off paths etc, but that's some going too, excellent, well done. Seeing as your a heavy weighter best not walk with you in case you get into trouble and I have to carry you out be ok the other way round

Glad you got view of Ben Avon, the tors are superb, great pics.

Thank you Maybe the reason I'm mostly walking alone ...and keeping my weight to be able to carry someone if need

[spiderwebb]

Wow Petr, my kind of walk ,off paths etc, but that's some going too, excellent, well done. Seeing as your a heavy weighter best not walk with you in case you get into trouble and I have to carry you out be ok the other way round

Glad you got view of Ben Avon, the tors are superb, great pics.

Thank you Maybe the reason I'm mostly walking alone ...and keeping my weight to be able to carry someone if need

given I'm 10 stone that's made me wonder why I'm walking on my own