Play in the Gorms

I've enjoyed looking at everyone's photos of snow and ice for the last couple of months, but I'm starting to look forward to seeing what lies beneath. I'm looking backward, as well… which has led me to write up a trip report from July 2008. Yes, July, a month of midges and landscapes on the wane. Really? We didn't see much evidence of either in these three fantastic days.

The Plan, briefly, was to do a fair few of the Cairngorm Munros from the inside - in this case a circuit from Linn of Dee, up to Loch Avon, and round some of the eastern tops. And although it's never wise to divulge a plan before it's been executed (Wise Aphorism no. 372 - 'If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans) this is part of a Grand Plan: for my wife Caroline and our dog Sadie this is a first round of the Munros, but it is a second round for me, and I really want to do as many as possible of them by different routes.

So…

Act 1

Here is 2/3 of the cast making its stage entrance, up Glen Lui towards Derry Lodge. Tell me that landscape looks tired!

On a hot day Derry Lodge is close to paradise.

Above Derry Lodge.

Up into Glen Derry. Hot work. Not the last photograph you'll see here, incidentally, of Sadie thinking she's really some kind of Aquahound.

Having pitched the tent by the Glas Allt Mor where it comes down into Glen Derry, we set off up Beinn Bhreac.

Beinn Bhreac summit, looking over to Lochnagar.

Then back across the Moine Bhealaidh. It's difficult to find the watershed line across here even in good weather. In fact, I think I made a better job of it last time I was here, when it was thick mist, but my eyes couldn't deceive me about the lie of the land. Carn na Drochaide, down there on the left, was the first Scottish hill for Sadie and Caroline. Always a touchstone for us.

Spot the wildlife in that photo? In case you didn't, here they are through the zoom, exiting stage left in the direction of Beinn a' Bhuird.

Beinn a' Chaorainn summit, late in the evening. The cloud had rolled over, which tempered our optimism for the next day.

Act 2

No need to worry…we woke the following morning to One Of Those Days. Summer perfection. Here we are, one man and his dog, over the rise and down towards the Avon. Bynack More is now in our sights. What did the poet say about 'the certainty of time held up in store҅?

By mid-morning we had the tent pitched by the Fords of Avon refuge and were heading off towards Bynack More. Someone will doubtless tell me otherwise, but I think that this might be the only tent-sized patch of grass in upper Glen Avon. There are some things a map can never tell you.

Some kind of sculpture park near the top of Bynack More. Looked really quite natural.

And looking east, the prospect for tomorrow.

One last view of the Barns and Beinn a' Chaorainn.

Summit of Bynack More.

On towards Cairn Gorm in the heat of the day. And it really was hot.

Having come up from the back of Cairn Gorm, and hardly seen anyone in two days, Caroline was speechless to find a crocodile of tourists coming up from the railway. She's just managing to hide the look of smug condescension.

Down the track through Coire Raibeirt…

… to Loch Avon.

Day's end… one hot dog, so to speak.

Act 3

Off and away by about 6 the following morning, down the Avon. This is looking back up river.

Every play needs a comic turn, so here is ours. As we crossed the river to head up Beinn a' Bhuird I spotted this creature just down stream. What was the Fat Controller thinking of sending him all the way up here? I'm not surprised he looks a bit deflated.

Heading up onto the shoulder of Beinn a' Bhuird.

Ben Avon had been on the original agenda, but we decided against. The heat was getting to us again, but more than that, we wanted to save something on the edge of our Cairngorm plate. In fact, ever since this trip we've put Ben Avon down as a great final munro to do together. We'll see. Anyway, here we are on our fifth munro for the trip.

Thomas wasn't the only odd bit of wildlife we saw on Beinn a' Bhuird.

Exit runner, pursued by…

…not a bear, but the deer from Act I.

And so back down to Glen Quoich and the walk out to Linn of Dee. I can't quite work out why, but I love this photo. I think it's something to do with those three people making their way into the hills as we make our way out. It reminds me that there's always another play ready to start.