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In
the
light of this walk, I could safely conclude that the Cairngorms are an amazing place. The
main focus of this trip turned out not to be about hill I was on, but the views
I could see from it. We were en-route to Fiona's and taking a break from the
roads, I shot up this hill quickly. I was back where I started after only 1
hour and 55 minutes, although started at over 300m.
Ascent
Mum dropped me at Glenmore Lodge and I set of with the advice in mind that
careful navigation would be needed through the forests. I don't know what that
was all about, it was pretty obvious provided you match the ground to the map,
as you do. I was on my toes concerning my
location as I didn't want to make a mistake and veer off course. I didn't even
know exactly what top above Meall a' Bhuachaille was, but it would all work
itself out easily enough. I ended up by An Lochain Uaine (The little green lake), a simply beautiful place and while
it conformed my position on the map, I went
to the waterside looking in on the oddly green water, realising that based upon
first impressions, the Cairngorms are superb. Additionally, I've heard they're like this
elsewhere too and I knew that you wouldn't find places like this around
Arrochar. They're it's all bare hills rising above thick plantations, which I
love in it's own right, but An Lochain Uaine had it's own unique qualities.
However I didn't have long to climb and was edgy about the prospect of only
having an hour to get from bottom to top! I headed onwards to the top of the Ryvoan Pass, where I came
across the bothy - it's a funny looking thing. I turned left
and charged up the path. I found myself on the worst part of this trip as this
was simply a broad
path over featureless heather. A walk along the Ryvoan Pass
would do me nicely but now I was at 400 metres, I was on my way to the top and
definitely not stopping.
I felt annoyed at having to compete with time, and bombing it up and down
this hill didn't feel I was doing it justice. On the upside, the Cairngorms were outstanding-
that being a
correct description because they turned out to be so much more vast than I may
have appreciated - large and flat but with so much character. To the east lay
Ben Avon and if there's any odd looking hill then that's it. I always found it a
bit odd.
I was on top of Meall a' Bhuachaille at quarter past two. I'd started out only
an hour before and now I was left with an hour or so to be back at Glenmore
Lodge. It was a fast pace but one I'd never recommend. I could have done with
some minutes to sit at the top however wind blasted it was. On an otherwise
sunny late-afternoon, bits of rain were spitting and sheets falling around about
turned the Cairngorms atmospheric.
Descent
The descent was exceedingly quick and I belted it down to the bothy, turning and
not quite stopping till An Lochain Uaine. There I sat for five minutes, knowing
I was ahead of schedule and from there I had an easy jaunt back to Glenmore
Lodge. Mum wasn't about but I met her after five minutes walking by the
roadside.
From there we headed onwards for one more hour in the car. It was a nice walk to
break up journey time, although not a hill to fly up and down.
But when I'm back, Meall a' Bhuachaille will have my time.
Written 2008-10-16 |
