Cairngorm Trip - Saturday 14th, Sunday 15th & Monday 16th May 2016

So it's the big road trip North, with the lads; Russ, Craig and I head off to Cairngorm Ski car park in the X3, via breakfast in Tiso, Perth.

Journey goes well and we are soon parked up and I start faffing with my kit, what a surprise........

Eventually we head off, on the path towards the Coires; but actually we want to be on a different path and didn't fancy the detour to it so we head cross country - not sure that's a good start.

Anyway it works, we are soon on the path heading the Chalamain Gap and dropping down to Lairig Ghru. It's warm, the sun is strong and it's hard work on the climb to Braeriach, at 1296m....it's a biggy ! 

Cooler up here and my Rab lightweight softshell works a treat. We then follow the coire rims to Sgorr an Lochain Uaine (1258m) and then to Cairntoul (1291m). a relatively easy descent to the bealach and we drop sacks for the quick out and back to Devil's Point. 

It's then down to Corrour bothy, taking care on the snow at the head of the Coire; it's a busy place, a group of D of E's camping outside the bothy; we eventually spot a quieter pitch and share this with the D of E leaders.

A chilly night, so Craig tells me in the morning; my Marmot Plasma and Hilleberg Enan work a treat. After a leisurely start we head towards Ben MacDui but cut off south, again dropping packs, to climb Carn a'Mhaim (1014m). It's a cooler day and we are well wrapped up, it's good to be able to stop and make a brew every so often.

Then to MacDui, Britain's second highest at 1309m, we see a few people and again have a brew. The slopes from here leading down to Loch Etchachan are holding a lot of snow, but spikes and crampons not required as we run down the slushy slopes. Another out and back to Derry Caringorm (1155m) and then it's time to find a place to camp. It's Baltic at the Loch so we decide to drop to Loch Avon, via a quick peek at Shelter Stone.

Camp on the shores of the loch was idyllic but did not suit my tent, it relies on tension and the sand is not good for holding pegs firm. I am a little set back on a bumpy bit of grass, a shame really but still a great place to be; albeit the loch is flippin freezin....so I found out when I stripped off for an all over wash !

T'was a windy night but not as cold. We set off early, heading back to the car. Along the loch for a short way then climb Coire Raibert and onto Cairngorm summit (1245m). The weather station is frozen and has large icicles hanging. a quick descent through the jumble of ski paraphernalia and we are back at the car; quick change and then into Aviemore for a full cooked breakfast.

A great trip, thanks guys.