Western Cairngorm

[Benaden887]

The Western Cairngorms. 40Km 2120mtr 12h 30/ 5/ 1993

Darren and I leave the A9 @ Kingussie, for Feshiebridge and the narrow glen road to Achlean farm. Park, eat then gear up. It`s damp, the clag lies around 1500m so could give a decent workout for compass and pacing. I fill my L side pocket with 20 odd stones to count with, as we climb the path on Coire Fhreanagan`s expansive shoulder, into the mist.
Visibility some 200 yards so not completely blind, reach the plateau then a cairn. A brisk walk N finds the block built cairn of Carn Ban Mor @1052m - 20mins later, perched on the cliff edge of no5 buttress, the smaller cairn of Sgor Gaoith @1118m. The broken crags drop some 500m into a hidden loch Einich, while E across the void, lies an unseen Braeriach. Still at least its not raining. After a break we head N for Sgoran Dubh Mor @ for the magical #1111m call, then on returning towards Mor does the weather not clear. We can see Braeriach and a ring of Munroes still to do. Pause for a mapchk opens possibilities. So SE towards a grassy basin at the head of Glen Einich heading for Tom Dubh @918m The ground is dry, as lifted by a frost and we make good time on the short grass - crossing drained lochans, before a drop and break at an infant Eidart river. Two 100mtr climbs finds the broad figure of eight top of Monadh Mor, @1113m. A break here. Then over Leac Ghorm down 130m cross a neck and up for a stony walk out to the pillar trig point of Benn Bhrotain @1157m. Views over the Gru, MacDui, Devils point and Carn Toul, stirs the blood, I could sit for a while, but we've still a ways to go. Mapchk and head due W. Down thro thick heather, skirting the flank of Leat Ghorm to reach the Eidart river again. More flow here, so a break, and soak the feet. Refill the water bottles and climb Coire Eindart to reach a vehicle track. Pass a cairn and the level top of Mullach Clach a`Bhlair @1019m comes into view. Easy walking now, looks like there was a building of some sorts here. Return to the track which winds down beside Coire Garbhiach, impressive. Forestry below, we contemplate cutting across but Darren points out there is a bridge and road on the other side of the river. Walking down sees Glenfeshie lodge and some buildings, on the far side. We cross a rough wooden planked bridge, for a fenced area. A large stone built cairn here, is dedicated to the commandos who in WW2 trained in this area, during 1941-1944. We pay our respects then walk the road to recross the river further up the glen so reach the car.

Good day decent outing taster for things to come.