Thursday 22 September 2016

BEN MACDUI, CAIRNGORMS

Trying out the new tent

Stunning views from Ben Macdui

Lairig Ghru and Carn Toul

Cairn Gorm from the Goat Track

Snow patches in Garbh Coire Mor, Braeriach

Loch Avon and Shelterstone Crag

Angels Ridge and Braeriach


Lairig Ghru, looking north
For anyone who has been on holiday up in the Cairngorms area, or indeed most places in the Scottish Highlands this week, then they have had seven days of glorious sunshine. Probably the finest spell of weather since that couple of weeks back in May, otherwise known as our summer 2016. Today I loaded up the rucksack with about 20kg of winter clothing and camping gear and headed out onto the plateau for some training on a run up to the Patagonian Icecap Expedition that Richard and I will be guiding in 8 weeks time. Yes, even leaders/guides need to get into fitness training for big trips! With the new tent to try out it wasn't the ideal conditions to mimic Patagonia, ie warm sun, dry and hardly any wind. But good to get the tent up in less than 10 minutes. I headed up to Ben Macdui this morning and the clarity of light was superb. If you wander off the main trails you get much better views of the Carn Toul, Sgorr an Lochan Uaine and Braeriach plateau. One of those classic Cairngorm area views. A great day to be out again, all change from tomorrow afternoon with some very wet and very windy weather coming in.

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