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.
This day involved leading my family up Ben Macdui and Cairn Gorm from the Base station under tough conditions. The ascent to Ben Macdui was particularly challenging, with very blustery winds and showers that hit us with such force that they felt like hail. Despite these harsh conditions, we pressed on, and the weather cleared up slightly as we made our way back and around to Cairn Gorm. During the hike, we encountered some wildlife, including a frog on our way up to Ben Macdui and lots of reindeer when traversing towards Cairn Gorm. The experience was demanding due to the weather, but the successful completion of the route in these conditions made it a rewarding Quality Mountain Day.
