Cairngorms Exped
3/7/2009
Started the
cairngorms expedition at the ski centre car park and set off around 3 pm. Me,
Steve, Fitz, Kenny, Paul and Graham. Followed the obvious path in a south easterly direction up Miadan Creag
an Leth-choin and opposite Cairn Lochan and Stob Coire an t Sneachda. The
weather was cloudy with strong bursts of wind averaged 40 mph which took us off
our stride at various points on the walk. The path
then levels off at the plateau around 1083 metres. As the mist
was coming in thick and fast along with rain we decided to pitch up camp 1200
metres up next to an icesheet somewhere near Lochan Buidhe. Got the tents set
up, chilled the bevy in the ice sheet and slide down it. We then had a scran and then
listened to the knowledge of the Wise tent (aka Kenny). Rained quite abit at
night and was also very windy. I had an uncomfortable nights sleep due to the
cold and the high altitude.
Setting off
camp spot
bevy chilling
camp spot
fun in the snow
4/7/2009
Woke up to
glorious sunshine and got sorted with breakfast and coffee. The started the
ascent on up to Ben Macdui. Followed the obvious path
up but took a bearing south east to see the memorial and the engine of the B52
that crashed on the plateau in 1942. The
summit of Ben Macdui (Beinn
Macduibh), 1,309 M. 4295FT. 2nd highest in the UK was surrounded by mist so
visibility was zero. From the summit we followed the path
east near the cliffs of Coire Sputan
Dearg then ascended down via the path
towards our 2nd camp for the night, in between Loch Etchachan and
little Loch Etchachan. After lunch in the afternoon we took a 3km stroll down
to the Hutchison memorial hut. After we got back we cooked tea and polished off
the cider. After much banter we called it a night. The rain was heavy at times
and it was another cold wild camp as Loch Etchachan lies 3025ft above sea
level.
on the move
lads paying respects
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| Setting off |
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| camp spot |
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| bevy chilling |
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| camp spot |
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| fun in the snow |
4/7/2009
Woke up to glorious sunshine and got sorted with breakfast and coffee. The started the ascent on up to Ben Macdui. Followed the obvious path up but took a bearing south east to see the memorial and the engine of the B52 that crashed on the plateau in 1942. The summit of Ben Macdui (Beinn Macduibh), 1,309 M. 4295FT. 2nd highest in the UK was surrounded by mist so visibility was zero. From the summit we followed the path east near the cliffs of Coire Sputan Dearg then ascended down via the path towards our 2nd camp for the night, in between Loch Etchachan and little Loch Etchachan. After lunch in the afternoon we took a 3km stroll down to the Hutchison memorial hut. After we got back we cooked tea and polished off the cider. After much banter we called it a night. The rain was heavy at times and it was another cold wild camp as Loch Etchachan lies 3025ft above sea level.
|
| on the move |
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| lads paying respects |
Ben Macdui summit
on the descent
view to Derry Cairngorm
camp spot at Loch Etchachan
de-tour to the Hutchison memorial hut
Hutchison memorial hut
evening beers
5/7/2009
Woke up to
heavy mist, which was soon to clear by the time we started walking. Had
breakfast and around 9pm set off for Derry Cairngorm. From Loch Etchachan we
traversed south east up the steep slopes to the top ‘Creagan a’ Choire
Etchachan’ 1108 metres. From here we followed the slight path
down then up over the rocky boulders to
the summit of Derry Cairngorm 1155 metres. Visibility at the summit was clear
with sunny spells We returned via the path
but skirted around the top back down to Loch Etchachan for lunch. Average time
3 hours.
en route to Derry Cairngorm
lads at the summit
chilling at the summit
on the descent
Beinn Mheadhoin. 1182M Climbed via Loch
Etchachan and zig zagged up the very steep path onto the summit ridge plateau. Walked over flat
stony tundra towards the massive granite tours. A short easy scramble was
involved to reach the true summit. Another granite boulder was scrambled up
giving good views towards Loch Avon and our camp for the third and final night.
Descended back to Loch Etchachan the same way. Average time 2 hours.
approaching Beinn Mheadhoin summit
Loch Avon from the summit
lads at the summit
descent back to camp spot
After lunch we packed up and started on
the path to beach camp follwing the path north west beside the burn Allt nan stacan Dubha
then down the steep ground beside Castlegates Gully to the shelter stone then
around to Loch Avon. Here we set up the tents, had a wonder, lit a fire, had
some scran and had a good bit o banter.
descent to Loch Avon
Loch Avon
Lads at Loch Avon
Setting up camp
Loch Avon beach
chillaxing
6.7.2009
The next
day was the trek home so after breakfast we packed up our tents then headed
around Loch Avon. We walked up east then north, a grade 1 scramble up the waterfall from the
bowl of Coire Raibeirt.We then headed west around Stob Coire an t- Sneachda,
descended the very steep and eroded goat track into the corrie then followed
the path back to the car park. Into
Aviemore for food, a pint then homeward bound.
the climb home
Morning clag
Back to the start
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| Ben Macdui summit |
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| on the descent |
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| view to Derry Cairngorm |
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| camp spot at Loch Etchachan |
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| de-tour to the Hutchison memorial hut |
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| Hutchison memorial hut |
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| evening beers |
5/7/2009
 |
| en route to Derry Cairngorm |
 |
| lads at the summit |
 |
| chilling at the summit |
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| on the descent |
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| approaching Beinn Mheadhoin summit |
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| Loch Avon from the summit |
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| lads at the summit |
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| descent back to camp spot |
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| descent to Loch Avon |
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| Loch Avon |
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| Lads at Loch Avon |
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| Setting up camp |
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| Loch Avon beach |
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| chillaxing |
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| the climb home |
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| Morning clag |
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| Back to the start |
