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Hello all,
I just have to share the latest good weather in the Cairngorms, that's why I decided to write my first report
Being based in Inverness I had to get up at 05:00 to get the first bus to station, to get the first train to Aviemore, to get the first (the second actually) bus to the Cairn Gorm Car Park! I can't remember how often I've done this. But it's worth it.
Anyway, on the whole journey I got to admire the wonderful sunrise above the mountains. The last two days I was in the Cairngorms I was in the Braeriach area, so this time I wanted to see something else and headed to Bynack More.
I started at 07:50 at the car park and went up Fiacaill a' Choire Chais where I met the sun for the first time (08:50). Words cannot describe the amazingness of that late sunrise just below Cairn Gorm.
Enjoying the sun I went down Coire Raibeirt to reach Loch Avon at 09:45 (in the shade of Beinn Mheadhoin) where I stayed a little for breakfast, what a magical place! It was my third time at Loch Avon and it has become one of my favourite places in Scotland.
After breakfast I went along Loch Avon to get to The Saddle (10:25) and towards Bynack More where I arrived at 12:00, perfect for lunch time
There is a good path from the Saddle, though it peters out just below A' Choinneach. I wouldn't want to be here on a cloudy day. But as it was a perfect day I could see everything around me
I didn't bother climbing any Barn of Bynack as they aren't as impressive as the Barns of Beinn Mheadhoin. I think Bynack More is the little brother of Beinn Mheadhoin
I could now see the flat moor of the Water of Caiplich, it reminded me of Caithness. Could be nicknamed Caithness of the South?
As "boring" as the view was, I could still see the huge bulks of Ben Avon and Beinn a' Bhuird. And Meall a' Bhuachaille came quickly into view.
I crossed the River Nethy footbridge at 13:35 and that was the only place with midges that day. The little lochs at Abernethy Reserve looked like bits of sky from all the way down so I wanted to have a closer look. There is a small path leading to Loch a' Gharbh-choire which had beautiful reflections! But don't take this path when it's wet, I think you would sink in the bog
The path to Ryvoan Bothy was very busy which was kind of weird, as I'd met nobody yet, except someone on Bynack More and just below it. I decided to have a look at An Lochan Uaine which was well worth the detour (14:15).
As I still had time, I headed to Meall a' Bhuachaille to be rewarded by the early stage of the sunset above Loch Morlich. What a stunning view! Again, words cannot describe it.
I stayed 10 minutes at the summit before going down to Glenmore at 15:30. I wanted to reach the 16:10 bus to Aviemore, so I "ran" down
I was very lucky, just when I got to the road (at 16:10) the bus came to pick me up! Better yet, the 16:19 train to Inverness was late, so I could jump in just before the doors closed!
It was a perfect day out, definitely one of the best I had in the Cairngorms!!
PS.: I've got more photos (and a text in german
) on my blog and two videos on Youtube if anyone is interested.
Photo time!
The Cairngorms from Aviemore Station.
Sunrise with Loch Morlich and Meall a' Bhuachaille on the right
Cairn Lochan, Braeriach, Sgor Gaoith and Sgoran Dubh (from left to right)
Meet the sun! Beinn Mheadhoin (left) and Loch Etchachan
Allt Coire Raibeirt
Loch Avon and Shelter Stone Crags
Looking towards the Saddle
Strath Nethy
Loch Avon and Ben Macdui in the distance
Featureless A' Choinneach
Last view of Loch Avon with Beinn Mheadhoin (left) and Ben Macdui in the distance
Ben Avon seen from A' Choinneach (really, no photo filters)
First proper view of Bynack More
Ground was wet for a wee bit (Bynack Beg on the left and Bynack More on the right)
Little Barns of Bynack
Barns of Bynack, wee Creag Mhor
, Ben Avon and Beinn a' Bhuird (left to right)
View from Bynack More towards Meall a' Bhuachaille and Abernethy Forest
View from Bynack More towards Beinn a' Chaorainn, Beinn Mheadhoin and Ben Macdui (left to right)
A turtle?
Coire Dubh and Meall a' Bhuachaille in the distance
Caithness of the South (Caiplich Water)
Little pieces of heaven
Bynack More and Bynack Beg
Meall a' Bhuachaille and Abernethy Forest
River Nethy and Bynack More
Loch a' Gharbh-choire
Loch a' Gharbh-choire
An Lochan Uaine
Looking back to Abernethy Forest
Ryvoan Pass with Bynack More (left) and Cairn Gorm (right)
Another piece of heaven on earth
Loch Morlich seen from Meall a' Bhuachaille
View from Meall a' Bhuachaille: even Ben Avon comes into view, Bynack More and Cairn Gorm (left to right)
Towards Glenmore with a glimpse of Bynack More (right)
Last view of Bynack More (left) and Cairn Gorm (right)
Hope you enjoyed it
