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I had planned on doing a long walk from Glen Feshie to Cairn Toul and Angels Peak but from Kingussie I could see there was still a lot of snow on the backside of Braeriach and so made a last minute decision to head to Creag Meagaidh. A long walk itself but hopefully snow free.
Set off from Aberarder at 10am and soon worked up a heat. Really good walking temperature with a light cool breeze and warm when the sun was out. Made it to Lochan a' Choire after about 90mins along the fabulous path. I have read and seen that this path used to be a bit boggy but not now (not the day I did it anyway) - well made, well drained and easy to walk on. Anyway, what a stunning place with terrifying cliffs and the silent lochan! There was a short and light shower here while I took my first break.
![Coire Ardair 2.jpg]()
- apologies for the blown out sky - not great photographic conditions
As I headed up to the Window the shower passed and the sun came out where it would remain for most of the day
. After the brutal winter there has been there was much loose rock and routefinding took a little care to avoid sending any unwelcome deliveries to walkers below me. A little stupidly I ascended a bit early out The Window on some very steep ground and scree instead of continuing to the easier proper path. However, very soon I was on the summit plateau and passed Mad Meg's on the way to the summit cairn.
I was trying to avoid the soft snow patches to keep my trail shoes dry-ish - only partially successfully. The views W and N were amazing and I could pick out Ben Wyvis and Sgurr na Ciche (everything in between was a bit vague). Fortunately, the sun was out and in the lee of the summit I was able to have a boots and socks off lunch break with great views to Grey Corries, Loch Treig, Scheihallion, Cairngorms etc etc etc (I have rode my luck with the weather this year...).
Back to The Window and just 5 minutes walking brought me to the unassuming summit of Stob Coire Poite Ardair. I said hello and had wee chat to a group from Aberdeen who were having break overlooking Coire Ardair.
From here it was just a case of one foot in front of the other on the 5km walk to Carn Liath. There is not much of interest on this section but the views were more than enough to keep me occupied.
It had clouded over a little to the W but the view S and E were still impressive. I reached the summit of CL at 3:45pm, about 2h30mins from CM.
It was now time for my least favourite part of any walk - the descent. Maybe it's my short legs but I descend really slowly and, I must admit, rather unelegantly. After my usual slipping, stumbling and cursing, I picked up a little used path following a line of fence posts which made the going easier and, eventually, brought me down to the outward path. I must haVE got some bizarre 2nd wind after emptying my shoes of heather, as I jogged the last 1km back to the car
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Did I say this was a great day? The approach to Coire Ardair and the amazing views will stay with me for a long time
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