The Cairngorms National Park

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 2^nd 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

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

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