This morning I decided to go for a walk up Bynack More. The weather and avalanche forecast looked pretty grim so this Munro that is approached by a North facing ridge seemed like a good idea.
It was an atmospheric walk in the woods as I raced through the forest behind Glenmore Lodge. There was low cloud and drizzle falling steadily. However being out on my own for the first time this year filled me with enthusiasm and I was rocketing along at about 4km per hour. I was quickly out of the woods and blasting along the well made track to the bridge that crosses Strath Nethy. By 9am I was at the bridge.
It was an atmospheric walk in the woods as I raced through the forest behind Glenmore Lodge. There was low cloud and drizzle falling steadily. However being out on my own for the first time this year filled me with enthusiasm and I was rocketing along at about 4km per hour. I was quickly out of the woods and blasting along the well made track to the bridge that crosses Strath Nethy. By 9am I was at the bridge.
A slightly blurry photo of the bridge that crosses Strath Nethy.
With the first, flat, part of the walk over I started gaining hight. As I started gaining hight I moved into the cloud base. As one tends to find when walking alone over the wide places of the highlands my mind was wandering too. I considered things like the swirling mists, the deadening of sound, and how reasonable, sensible people can believe in things like the 'big grey man' of MacDui. Very easily I managed to creep myself out.
Then just after the first snow field I cam across the single oddest thing I have ever found on a mountain. Someones shoes, and pack lunch. Abandoned. I can safely say that it weirded me out.
Then just after the first snow field I cam across the single oddest thing I have ever found on a mountain. Someones shoes, and pack lunch. Abandoned. I can safely say that it weirded me out.
Who abandons trainers and lunch?
However I carried on through the swirling mists towards my target for the day, which was now only a few km ahead of me. It was worth it. As I clambered up the rounded but rocky ridge the cloud cleared and I had the privilege to be rewarded with some stunning view.
It was now 11am and I was hungry and on the summit of my mountain. I sat and ate a well deserved lunch. I could have sat there all day drinking in that view.
It was now 11am and I was hungry and on the summit of my mountain. I sat and ate a well deserved lunch. I could have sat there all day drinking in that view.
After about half an hour I decided to turn my back on Cairngorm, Shelter stone crag, and the Saddle and turn back towards Glenmore Lodge. As I refaced my footsteps I met a whole bunch of people who were on their way up. I had left the top just in time. For me its still an isolated peak that I had to myself. The walk back proved uneventful apart from a brief conversation about the snow conditions that I had with a chap with and incredible beard!
Being board I put some music on and wandered back through the valley singing along to myself. Yes I was listening to bagpipe music. Who could resist? I found myself back at the BBV just before half one. 5h 30min from when I started. Not bad for 24km.
Being board I put some music on and wandered back through the valley singing along to myself. Yes I was listening to bagpipe music. Who could resist? I found myself back at the BBV just before half one. 5h 30min from when I started. Not bad for 24km.
Looking back at Bynack Mor (right) and Bynack Beag (right).