BIVVY ON BEN MACDUI

 

Fabulous sunset Friday evening 

The heatwave continues! More very hot conditions on the hills with clear skies, no wind and blazing sun. Temperatures in the high teens, even at Munro level. Walking sensibly in these conditions is a sure way to enjoy the hills. If you're into doing your finest PB over 10 Munros and winning cups on Strava then maybe you're not taking it seriously? With great conditions set to continue over the weekend we decided to have a high bivvy on Ben Macdui. 

7.30pm start and still very warm

We set out at 7.30pmon Fridayevening, beating the heat of the day. It's only a 3 hour walk up to Ben Macdui so plenty of daylight and we were hoping for a fine sunset. We were not disappointed!

Nice grassy bivvy and nearby water

I did a lot of bivvying a few years ago. It's the simplist form of 'camping. You can make it as light as possible. I sometimes don't take a sleeping bag and stove. Tonight we had more luxury with both these items plus thermarests, 2 camera bodies and lenses plus fresh coffee & croissants for the morning! I still got all this into a 45L rucsack.

Sunset over the Fannichs

There were a few midges about but nothing biting. It was a warm night. It's light at 4.30am these days. We were soon enjoying the sunrise from the summit of Ben Macdui. 

First light on Braeriach plateau  from Macdui

Temperature inversion in the Lairig Ghru 

The last few days there have been temperature inversions in the mornings. This morning the cloud 'top' was at about 500m. By 7am it was already very warm. Lovely to see Snow Bunting and 3 Juveniles near the top of Macdui. 

 

Hazy skies behind Beinn Mheadhoin 

Cairn Toul well above the inversion 

A distant Lochnagar

The waters of Loch Etchachan were tempting on such a hot day. The path from Macdui down to Loch Etchachan is a wonderful bit of country. Not a breeze out again, the Loch was looking stunning with the reflections of the mountains.

Loch Etchachan 

Morning swim

The only sound around was the call of Wheatear and Meadow Pipits keeping us company. We continued down towards Loch A'an not before a quick walk up to Stacan Dubha, a fine viewpoint of the Loch A'an basin.

Stunning light on Carn Etchachan & Shelterstone Crag 

Shelterstone Crag & Loch A'an

At the top of this fine Crag we spotted a pair of Ptarmigan, brilliant. After soaking in the grand panorama of crag and loch, we slowly wandered down to the lochside. Wonderfully pathless, walking on beautiful carpets of grasses, mosses and crowberry. There was much Juniper around the final steep descent to the loch, never seen it so much in one area. We finally strolled beside a flower filled meadow where Bog Asphodal was abundant beside the beautiful, cool flowing water at the burn. A welcome spot where we could refill the water bottles. What a sight. What a wild and gorgeous place to linger.

Flower filled meadow

Loch A'an

Stunning

Loch A'an & Cairn Gorm

Another loch, another wee swim for someone. What a fine place for it, too. Even I rolled up my trousers, took off my boots and had a Paddle.

Heading home

Cooling off

We walked out from the most beautiful and scenic place in the Cairngorms by heading over The Saddle and back up to the Cairngorm plateau. A lovely end to a super weekend was the privelage of seeing a Ptarmigan with her 4 chicks. Beautiful. Glad I brought the big glass and extra camera after all. 

Ptarmigan Chicks

4 of these cuties

Perfect end