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.
Cairngorm base station to Hutchison Memorial Hut via Ben Macdui. A delightful voyage in glorious conditions on Christmas Eve. Setting off from Coire Cas, delightfully stepping straight into snow (making a change from conditions in the West and Fort William way) crampons were donned at 800m enabling a clamber up the Fiachaill Ridge. Photogenic light enabled our Southern journey with 100% visibility and a beautiful Christmas sunset after summiting Ben Macdui where the trig point was thick with sculpted Rime ice. A straight forward descent to the East of Loch Etchachan and to our overnight bothy and a Christmas Eve one-pot meal. Christmas slumber was disturbed by a couple of late-arriving and uncouth bothy visitors which led to very little sleep.
