
Left the Hutchinson hut and followed the path back down the coire and across the burn to rejoin the main path through Glen Derry. Decided to head north east straight up the steep hillside as the crow flies towards Beinn a Chaorainn. I`ve had easier ascents in Scotland!! Soft snow covering heather made for slow going, or so it felt but we soon were up with a view of the days hills north and south of us. Unfortunately the going did not get easier with a large peat hag section to cross, which, thankfully was frozen or we may still be there. Once up on the peak the wind started to give us a bit of trouble but it was short lived as we quickly bagged the summit and headed directly over to ben bhreac. The sun was out, with blue sky in places and Scotland looked amazing. Wind scoured with deep drifts again, crampons not needed. Dropping back down to Derry lodge it was obvious a thaw had set in, with previous frozen areas now wet underfoot.
Time from bothy back to the car at the Lin of Dee was 7 hours.
Area :
The Cairngorms
The Cairngorms are ‘a little piece of the arctic in Scotland’ according to the SMC Munros Guide and the area contains many of the tallest peaks in the East Highlands. Ben Macdui (1309m), Cairn Gorm (1244m) and Braeriach (1296) are probably three of the better known and the whole area is full of steep corries and high plateaux. Access to the mountains is typically from Aviemore or Braemar.