Johnny Corbett & Mountain Thyme in the Cairngorms with Doug

[Johnny Corbett]

This was my second outing with Mountain Thyme and today it was Cairgorm & Beinn Mheadhoin.

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We set off at 9am from the Ski Centre car park, taking the path around the railway and ski tows, round Sron an Aonaich towards the Ptarmigan Restraunt and onwards to Cairngorm.

MT on Cairngorm

JC on Cairngorm

At 10.30 we were on the summit, cloud was still low so it was just a quick couple of photos, then headed south westerly to pick up the Coire Raibeirt path which would take us down to Loch Avon. This path is steep in places and was also snow covered in places, but no great difficulties.

Path down

The Path

Just before we reached the Loch we crossed the burn and headed to the shoreline to pick up the path, which led us to the head of the Loch.We met a guy called Doug at this point, who was walking alone with no dug, so we invited him to join us, which he was happy to do.

Loch Avon

Cairngorm

The head of the Loch was where we encountered our first problem, the problem being, how to get across the burns flowing into the Loch.After spending about 30mins looking for a way across, Doug stripped down to his boxers and waded through. Once over he told us how he couldn't breathe as the water was so cold, thats when i decided to test out the Bergaus Yeti Gaiters which i was quite impressed with as all i had to change was my damp socks.
At this point Doug carried on, while MT stripped before crossing. Pm MT if you want to know how far she stripped
Once over it was a staight forward route up the path and over to BM rocky plateau. Once on the plateau again it was easy route finding in these conditions, passing some Granite Tors before reaching the summit.

MT on the plateau

A taster before the summit

At the summit Doug was waiting on us and joined us for the remainder of the walk.

JC on summit

MT on summit

After some lunch and the photo shoot we headed north north east avoiding Creag Dhubh crags towards the the outflow of the Loch.

MT and her new guide Doug leading the way

Loch Avon

Here we encountered the same problem as before, how to get fecking across. Anyway we all managed it after a bit of debating, although one slip and it was tatty bye and away down stream.
So we were all safely over with squelchy feet, heading up the path towards the Saddle and round Cairngorm, back to the cars.

Doug & MT

I have to point out that not only did Doug get the train up, he also got it back down, catching the last one just after 4. Shame on you Doug.
This was one of the best days i've had on the hills,with good company, stunning location and great weather with the added excitement of getting to the other side of Loch Avon

[monty]

Nice report again Johny, Skinny dipping with MT and Doug must have been fun. Nice walk that

[mountain thyme]

Great report Johnny. well done. was a good day.. and good company. cheers

[mgmt!]

job well done johnny, shame about having to witness mountain thyme having to strip off, no amount of counselling will help erase that sight

[rockhopper]

Good report JC - looks like you had a great day out

Hoping to be up there in summer - might need to look out a wetsuit though in case the water's too high for fording