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| Enroute to Ben Macdui |
Ben Macdui is an obvious and popular walking objective for many hillgoers in the Cairngorms National Park. I regularly guide folk on the UKs second highest mountain throughout the year. The 'standard ' route to the summit from the Coire Cas carpark to the north isn't particularly interesting and can get busy. You can enjoy far better views, scenery and wildlife by taking a more adventurous route. For many of my guided groups I always offer this, especially if the weather is kind. Which it was this week!
SATURDAY 4 JUNE
I was joined by Julie and Pauline who were keen on one of my favourite routes to Ben Macdui. A fabulous weather day with wall to wall sunshine, warm and no wind. Perfect conditions.
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| Enjoying the peace |
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| One of the highlights |
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| The Loch A'an basin |
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| Cool waters of the Feithe Buidhe |
We made our way to Macdui via 1141m, Stag Rocks, Feithe Buidhe and Uisge Beag. Terrific views and so quiet.
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| Remaining snow on Macdui's North top |
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| Remote and pathless |
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| The summit of Ben Macdui |
There are still some areas of snow around. Usually more this time of year. We eventually came across more human beings once we reached Ben Macdui 's summit.
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| Look who we met, Clare and Emma . |
It was nice to bump into Clare Hartley who was on our Patagonian Icecap expedition in 2016. Clare and her sister, Emma and friend were out for a few days backpacking In the area.
We escaped the crowded summit and sat for lunch at the finest viewpoint from Ben Macdui (its not at the trig point).
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| The best view is here |
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| Descending the voie normal |
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| Late afternoon light in Coire an Lochain |
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| Dwarf Cornel |
A top day with two lovely folk.
I had a quick coffee and dinner back at the Coire Cas carpark ( home cooked) before heading back up the hill for an overnight bivvy. The weather is so good who can't resist getting back up again?
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| Sundown at 1141m |
Of course at this time of year you could very easily walk without a torch. We made a liesurley walk over to a lovely viewpoint of mine in readinrss for dawn the following day.
The purist form of spending a night out on the mountains is bivvying. A basic shelter, just a big sleeping bag without any insulation really.
SUNDAY 5 JUNE
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| Sunrise on Carn Etchachan |
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| The light constantly changing as the sun rose |
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| The Shelterstone in golden morning light |
There was a orange glow on the Eastern horizon at 2am. Dawn in June arrives very early. I was up to photograph the stunning light on Carn Etchachan & The Shelterstone Crag. 4.3am and the granite came alive with a golden glow. Wonderful.
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| Snow |
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| Feithe Buidhe slabs |
After an hour of dawn photography we explored all my favourite places in the Cairngorms. A beautiful warm day again. Peace and tranquility amongst the Cairngorm Corries, crags and waterfalls.
TUESDAY 8 JUNE
Yet more warm conditions. Tuesday 7th June.
Another glorious and warm day in Strathspey. Fabulous Summer sounds and sights in the Monadhliath today. I seemed to be surrounded by many Golden Plover. Another mountain and moorland ground nesting bird.
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| Golden Plover |
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| Round leaved Sundew |
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| Birds Foot Trefoil |
The Cloudberry is also in abundance, so much so I found it hard to avoid walking on these beautiful plants. Hopefully a good crop of berries come July & August, yummy 😋.
Could well be the last beautiful day for a while.
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| Cloudberry |
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| Lots of it |
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| Blue skies again |
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| Bog Cotten |
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| The call of the Golden Plover |
THURSDAY 8 JUJY
A definite drop in temperatures today , up high on the Cairngorms. A Southerly wind brought a Bank of huge cloud which capped the high Cairngorms. A stiff wind by late afternoon but the tops cleared and some sunshine.
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| Clouds lifted later |
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| Trailing Azaelia |
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| Beautiful and abundant this year |
The Trailing Azaelia is absolutely beautiful and abundant this year. One of my favourite flowers.
Unfortunately only 1 Ptarmigan spotted today. Sadly I spotted a mass of Ptarmigan feathers in 2 locations. No doubt predation. Both of these locations were definitely adult featheres.
Ptarmigan are sadly now on the Red List of endangered birds. Within the relitively short time of 10 years I have been living in the area I have seen Ptarmigan numbers dramatically decline.
Looking unseasonably chilly and unsettled this next few days. You'd better put those shorts away. Long keks and big gloves again.
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| Beinn Mheadhoin |
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| Northern Corries |
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