Despite a dreadful weather forecast, 24 members turned up for the classic Cairngorm traverse from Linn of Dee. All attending parties agreed that conditions were actually better than expected: the lack of rain was a bonus and the mist, clag and cloud failed to spoil the general good mood.
John Henderson, Andy Taylor, Graeme Morrison, Jan Petersen and Peter Miller first headed off for Corrour bothy. From there, Pete made his way through the Lairig Ghru in “spooky, Sherlock Holmes” type mist. Graeme and Jan went up the Devil’s Point whilst Andy and John progressed towards Cairn Toul. After catching up, all four completed Angel’s Peak and Braeriach before the long trek back to the bus.
Andy Williams also had a fine day out up Glen Luibeg. He followed the Sron Riach ridge wherefrom he actually enjoyed some good views before summiting Ben Macdhui. He then went across to Cairngorm.
Graeme Bartlett chose to avoid the clag and marched through the glens past Gairnshiel bridge, Corndavan Lodge, Loch Builg and Inchrory Lodge. He stopped for lunch at Feindouran bothy and carried on walking west to finish off over the shoulder of Cairngorm.
From Linn of Dee, Mick Greenshields and his son went straight up Corbett Sgor Mor. Mick reported having “a day to remember“. One suspects that a couple of drams helped make it memorable.
The Lairig Ghru was also a popular choice for Jake Lee and Janice Taylor as well as Drummond Beattie and Val Kemp. All kept away from the clouds and had lunch at Corrour Bothy. They carried on to the Chalamain gap and back to the bus.
After a long absence from club meets, Iain and Tina McIntyre walked by Glen Derry, Coire Etchachan, the Shelter Stone and up Coire Raibert, accompanied by Bob Macdonald and Amanda Strang. All had a fine day out in excellent company .
Kate Darlington, Dan Moysey, Sarah White and guest Barnaby Coulson went up Derry Cairngorm and Cairngorm. They had a great day too although had to navigate off the summits in poor visibility. Irene Stables, Jim and Linda Craig also went over Derry Cairngorm, Loch Etchachan, Loch Avon and Cairngorm.
In conclusion, all made the most of this fantastic traverse in conditions which were far from ideal.
Natacha Mihajlovic