Hiking in the Cairngorms - Day 1
| Munros bagged: | Cairn Gorm (1244m), Bynack More (1090m), Beinn a' Chaorainn (1083m) |
| Distance walked: | 17km |
| Song stuck in head: | 2Pac - Until The End Of Time |
| Camping cuisine: | Quick-cook penne with spam, tomato puree, cream cheese and parmesan |
CAIRN GORM
A 25 minutes bus journey took us from Aviemore train station up to the Ski Centre on Cairn Gorm Mountain. It felt a bit like cheating to start hiking from 650m elevation, but at least we refrained from using the funicular railway to boost us up another 500m. An obvious and popular path lead directly to the peak in just over an hour, where we were greeted by the neatest cairn I have ever seen in my life.
We headed down the eastern slope, joining a vague path as it steepened towards the bottom. I entertained myself with a classic rap mash-up of Kanye West, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and 2Pac. Tom has learnt to tolerate this under-nurtured hobby of mine.
BYNACK MORE
After reaching Loch Avon, we turned north onto the gentle climb up to Bynack More. We enjoyed a quick sandwich lunch in the sunshine, looking back on the loch.
Then up to the first clump of rocks on the main ridge, where we dropped our big bags and bounded up to the top.
Two Munros down!
Bags reclaimed, we continued down the main ridge, and then the east slope into the valley.
The most eventful part of the day was at the crossing of the River Avon. There is a little hut to peek inside - tall people NOT welcome!
Then a big river. The brave and the well-balanced can enjoy the stepping stones. I went for the less fun approach of removing shoes and socks and slowly tramping my way through the cold water, with the unwelcome added pressure of two other walkers waiting to cross in the opposite direction. Tom got to have a nice chat with them though, and revealed to me later that he had recognised them from the bus ride earlier, as he had a crush on the man's rucksack.
BEINN A' CHAORAINN
A second smaller river to cross immediately before the ascent of Beinn a' Chaorainn. I could deal with this one.
I was beginning to flag at this point. Little exercise over the last couple of months, plus a rekindled relationship with tiramisu, means that my body isn't quite at its best level of fitness currently.
We took regular breaks and I moaned plenty as we scrambled over rocky patches. It's one of those mountains where you think you're about to hit the top, and then a new higher point pops up a few hundred metres away to taunt you.
A mini celebration at the cairn. All three Munros claimed according to plan today. An unusual feat! We continued down the tame, shallow south side onto a huge plateau, where we would set up camp for the night. There is little shelter here, but weather conditions were very favourable.
We have become a well-oiled machine in the evening. Tom and I have now got through nine consecutive attempts at pitching our tent without instigating World War III. Is this a couples' record?!
I set up the "bedroom" - blow up airbeds, arrange sleeping bags, liners and pillows - while Tom filters water from a nearby stream or lochan, and cooks up the dinner.
We eat, brush teeth and then crawl into the tent with herbal tea (Twinings Winter Spice. Go and buy some, it's amazing) We consult the map for the following day, prepare sandwiches and look at photos. Then SLEEP.
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