Long Cairngorm Weekend.

We've not attended a ATMC meet in Scotland for several years so last week Susan took two days off to allow us to have a long Cairngorm weekend and attend the Family Meet at Muir Cottage near Braemar.

We had a leisurely journey north last Thursday and arrived in Braemar in the afternoon. After a wander around the village and a coffee we headed for the Linn of Dee car park the starting point for our overnight bike and hike into the mountains. Our aim was to climb Susan's last two Cairngorm Munros - Beinn Bhrotain and Monadh Mor.

We first cycled along a rough track to White Bridge in Glen Dee. Here we left the bikes and walked up the glen to find a campsite. We didn't go far and soon had the tent pitched despite a strong breeze. We had a brew and then went to find the start of our ascent route for the morning. It was an evening of sunshine and showers and it was great to be out in the 'wilds'. After a pasta meal we were soon to bed and we slept quite well.

After an early night we were awake early on Friday. The wind had dropped and this meant one thing MIDGES!!!! They were terrible so we had a quick breakfast and headed off - leaving the camping gear to be packed on our return. The climb up Beinn Bhrotain was steady but long and took about 3hrs. The weather was excellent and we had great views across the Cairngorms, an area we both love. After some food and drink we headed for the second summit Monadh Mor. This involved dropping over boulders to a wee col before climbing steadily again to the summit. This finished my second round of the Cairngorm Munros and Susan's first.

We decided that the quickest option now was to follow our route of ascent so it was back over Beinn Bhrotain and down to the tent. We'd been out for about 8 hours when we reached it and still had to get back to the car. The midges were still out as we packed up so we were as quick as possible. The bikes were soon reached and the cycle out was much easier and faster than the one in.

Muir Cottage was empty when we arrived so we bagged the best beds, had a shower and then headed for Braemar for a Fish/Haggis Supper. On our return the oldest club member, Willie (85), had arrived and it was good to catch up with him waiting for the others.  After a few wee beers we were early to bed after a long but enjoyable day.

The families at the meet had no great plans for Saturday so we headed out to climb Derry Cairngorm via the Hutchinson Memorial Hut. We cycled from the hut to Derry Lodge and then walked up Glen Derry to reach the bothy. It was a beautiful morning but as we climbed higher the wind picked up and on the ridge to Derry Cairngorm it started to rain. The cloud did keep parting so we had some good if limited views all the way back to the bikes and the hut. These bike and hike days are always great. A good evening including a bit of a 'sing song' was had in the hut and we'll be attending more meets in the future.

The bothy in 2006 when I last stayed there for two night with Jeff and Pete - spot the difference.

Having a brew inside in 2006 - a wee bit more hair back then!!!

Overnight the wind picked up and when we got up on Sunday it was clear that we would not be going on the hill. Even driving home with the bikes on the roof rack was a bit wild and we learnt later that winds of 112mph had been recorded on the Cairngorm.