STUNNING CAIRNGORMS DAY

 

What a stunning day to be out on the hills. Wall to wall blue skies from dawn to dusk. Virtually windless on the summits and a light covering of snow above 1000m. Karen and I had a fabulous day visiting places well away from the main routes in the Northern Cairngorms. In search of wildlife and solitude. We weren't disappointed. 

A group of Reindeer were grazing away happily on the lower slopes. Although 'semi-wild' they are a delight to watch and beautiful animals.

Above 1000m on the northern slopes of Cairn Gorm we were on snow. The colder temperatures overnight had frozen some of the softer snow. Under this were areas of older snow from earlier in the week which had gone through a melt/freeze cycle. There wasnt much of this but enough to make you aware where you walked. We didnt need crampons. 

Any vegetation exposed to the air had a beautiful translucent casing of ice. Stunning in the bright sunshine and that wonderful crunch under your boots. We wandered up towards Cairn Gorm summit but shyed away from the actual summit to keep the solitude factor. You also get far better views away from the summit cairn.

We descended Cairn Gorm and walked over towards the Stag Rocks area for a view down to Loch A'an. On the way we had delightful moments watching a flick of at least 30 Snow Bunting feeding around some of the melted patches of hillside. We never 'bait' any wildlife to photograph them. Absolutely no need. Keep it natural. Its just wonderful watching them flutter about in their natural environment.

At this point it felt quite warm with the reflection of sun off the snow. Beautiful. 10 minutes after our Snow Bunting encounter we came upon a beautiful Mountain Hare. His/her markings were just wonderful. In  transition from Autum to Winter pelage. 

All the way along we were watchful for Ptarmigan but so far we hadn't spotted any. Second lunchtime snacklet looking across beautiful Loch A'an to Beinn Mheadoin and further round to Carn Etchachan. Looking very beautiful. 

There were some lovely clouds lingering around Corries towards the South. This gave the day another beautiful, sublime feeling. 2pm and time to head back. 

Wildlife is always a wonderful thing. Just when you think you'll not spot what you came for it may well come up and surprise you. Never give up and don't loose concentration towards the end of your day. Off in the distance I spotted a Ptarmigan blazing around in the afternoon sun. Perfect light to capture these masters of camouflage and masters of the high Scottish mountains in winter. 

Walking back towards Ciste Mheared there was some big stretches of hard, frozen snow and it was great fun to be kicking steps and getting back into walking in winter with winter boots. First day of proper snow conditions this season.

Back to Coire Cas carpark just has dusk arrived. A beautiful clear late afternoon. Down at Loch Morlich there was a stunning sunset. We've seen sunsets here may times. They're always special. It would be rude not to stop and round off the day nicely .