Monday 5 October 2015

A weekend in the Cairngorms - Day 2

On the second day in Glenmore, I decided to walk up Meall a'Bhuachaille, a 820m high Corbett. But first, an amazing breakfast at my youth hostel: hot apple pie with lots of ice cream. Judging from the looks of my fellow guests I might have started a trend.

Off I went through nice woodlands until I reach An Lochan Uain - the small green lake.


And then off into the open heather landscape.


Soon Ryvoan Bothy came into view - will keep it in mind as an emergency accommodation, it looked quite cozy inside (although I was glad for my warm youth hostel room nonetheless).


 Then it goes up. The stairs are steep and I'm soon questioning why exactly I'm doing this.


The bothy is soon far below.

 The first major views were very rewarding:

And finally, the top, marked by a large storm cairn.


Great views of Loch Morlich:



Look at those views!


Suddenly, there were reindeer! I couldn't believe my eyes, it was amazing...






At some point they disappeared in the direction I had come from, so I decided to start the long descent.


I had to laugh when I saw this sign. Allow 5-6 hours - I needed only three, and I'm not even in good shape.



Pity the weekend was over so soon. I will be back!



Sunday 4 October 2015

A weekend in the Cairngorms - Day 1

I decided to leave the city for the weekend after my birthday and escape to the highlands. I spent two amazing days in the Cairngorms - taking the train up to Aviemore and staying at Cairngorm Lodge youth hostel.

From Aviemore train station, I walked to Lynwilg (using part of the new Speyside Way extension) before climbing Geal-charn Mor (824m) - the Big White Hill - a short but beautiful hike. Hundreds of young pheasants watched my every move, as did some very curious sheep. 


I had never seen a sign like that before: 


Spot the pheasants!


 I can never get enough of heather:


The mountain is getting rougher:



The views are getting better by the minute:


I've made it!


Someone seems a little confused by my outburst:


 One last time...