By Al Barnard
Blessed by a persistent High Pressure system over the British Isles this summer, my eldest and I took the opportunity to head to the Cairngorms.
My favourite route on to the plateau from the north is via the Fiacaill Ridge. This wall of granite separates the two popular Cairngorm climbing venues, known as the Northern Corries. Coire an t -Sneachda and Coire an Lochain. The ridge begins as a broad whale-back peppered with awkward boulder fields and complaining Ptarmigan, before narrowing to a spectacular, if a little short lived exposed scramble.
With wall to wall sunshine and with the bluest of skies we set off from the Ski Car Park wearing a healthy coating of Factor 50 and beaming grins.
Stopping for an isotonic Satsuma and a drink, the thick summer air had that particular European continental quality about it that is relatively rare in the Highland. 0930 and already 26 degrees, are we really in Scotland?
Coire an t-sneachda to the left, Coire an Lochain to the right.
Exposed scrambling on sound granite
Enjoying the views of the Cairngorm Plateau from Fiacaill Ridge.
As the ridge narrows the feeling of exposure increases which in turn enhances the views and situations. A wise precaution is a helmet and also a rope as a back-up (including the knowledge of how to use it). The dry granite was a delight to scramble up and we swung ourselves ever upwards like happy baboons delighting in the conditions, the rope remaining unused in my hill-bag. If weather conditions take a turn for the worse or participants don’t feel confident climbing on the sound rock, an easier line can be taken to the right which avoids all the difficulties.
Once on the plateau we took a breather before heading south to the Feidth Bhuide burn which tumbles 2500 feet into the Loch Avon basin and also to one of the remaining snow fields of the Cairngorms.
The oxygenated waters of the falls make for a refreshing drink stop and a superb photographic back drop. The snow field makes for an interesting and fun venue. Where else can you build a snowman during mid-summer?
Loch Avon basin.
Drink stop at the Feidth Bhuide.
Carrots….great hill food and photo props!
The last few kilometres south to Ben Macdui (the UKs second highest peak) were baking with the afternoon heat bouncing off the stone path. The summit trig’ point made a high vantage spot for a friendly snow-bunting as we enjoyed the panorama. Braeriach, Cairntoul, The Angel’s Peak and The Devil’s Point to the West, the Braemar and Glenshee hills to the South, Beinn a Bhuird to the East and the Moray Firth to the North.
After a little more sun-bathing it was time to head North and negotiate the steep ground down the Goat Track under the shadows of Coire an t-Sneachda’s crags, past the “nearly home” juniper trees and back to the car park.
Be sure to:
Take an Ordnance Survey Map, Sheet 36, 1:50000.
Know how to navigate.
Take sufficient hill walking gear and good boots.
A climbing helmet if scrambling on Fiacaill Ridge. (Consider a rope also).
Have plenty of food and drink.
Pack a good sunscreen.
Pack a carrot if building a snowman!
Take care when descending the Goat Track – look out for loose rock.