Passing Thro...

Just back from an awesome 3 days in the wild remoteness of the Lairig Ghru pass in the Cairngorms. Our idea of a doggy dream! We are in our element and at our happiest in the mountains. Enduring long days walking, across giant boulder fields, with high gusting winds, camping overnight high in the valley under the stars....

Day 1 - Sugar Bowl Carpark to Lairig Ghru.

Our day starts with a long but level-ish walk across the lower moorlands of the Cairngorms passing newly re-planted Scots Pines and the famous Cairngorm Reindeer that inhabit this protected area. Gradually we start to gain height as we head up towards the coll that will allow us to drop down into the Lairig Ghru. 

This coll is the Chalamain Gap, a break-neck boulder field that is arduous and slow-going, taking time to concentrate, so as not to loose your footing (or pawing) or a leg between the gaps... have to say, we were slightly more nimble on our toes than Miss Mel, 4-paw drive definitely has its advantages!

Finally we're back on proper path and after a quick descent to a small river crossing we head slowly but steadily further & further up into the wilderness and remoteness of the pass, eventually to highest point in the pass (835m), for a high overnite camp. After a sit down & rest and our dinner, we are ready for our beds, exhausted and glad to curl up cosy all together under canvas and out of the wind.

 Day 2 - To Corrour Bothy

Up early and although cold, the morning sunshine was stunning, lighting up the steep valley walls with a warming glow, turning the grey granite red.

Our day today takes us past the mid point of the pass in a slightly more easy going walk, still a couple of boulder fields to navigate through, but nothing like yesterday. We pass the crystal clear Pools of Dee, the source of the mighty River Dee that flows to Aberdeen, a refreshing dip then the walking heads downhill at a more gentle pace towards the Devil's Point & Corrour Bothy, a small but welcome mountain hut. 

The plan once we got to here was to head further down the pass then up onto Ben Macdui and back across the mountain tops that are the Cairngorm Plateau, but strong winds gusting to almost 60mph meant that valley walking was difficult enough never mind the exposed summits! So instead after a lunch stop we head north, back up the valley to find another wee sheltered camp spot for the night.

Tonight after the sun leaves us behind the steep imposing sides of the valley, it is much much colder, and the sky is clear of clouds as the light starts to fade. We huddle together for warmth & comfort as Mel makes some dinner, then we will get ours & after we will be ready to zonk till morning again!

Day 3 - Lairig Ghru to Sugar Bowl Carpark.

Today we are mostly tracing our steps back towards the Chalamain Gap. We leave the pass behind us, crossing the river but again because of gusting winds, we think better of down climbing the ridiculous boulder field and bear left up onto the summit of Creag a' Chalamain to avoid the Gap in the high winds.

After a brief wind-blown break to take in the view and where we have spent the last couple of days, we leave the summit. Crossing the dry semi-tundra of short wind cropped alpine plants, dropping down some 600m later to rejoin the path. A much safer route, well worth the effort for the stunning views. Finally we are on the home straight, a nice gentle meander across better paths for our sore, tired paws. A wee hour and we will be homeward bound!