With gale force winds forecast for the summits, this year’s traverse (S to N) through the Lairig Ghru was a good choice, as it kept us out of the worst of the wind.
17 of us started at Linn o’ Dee. Derry Lodge was reached in good time, and there the 3 runners amongst us nipped on ahead. The rest of us hiked.
Devil’s point marked the entrance to the main Deeside trench of the Lairig Ghru. Macdui, Cairn Toul and Braeriach surrounded us as we walked through the remotest part of the Cairngorms. We reached the Pools of Dee on schedule and, sheltering out of the breeze, stopped for lunch. The Lairig Ghru’s summit was reached shortly after and a view down to Rothiemurchus and Aviemore met our eyes.
A few miles further down we left the famous mountain pass and ascended to the Chalamain Gap. After scrambling through the gap we headed to our finish at the Sugar Bowl. The gale force winds finally caught up with us on this last bit and we took a buffeting.
Well done everyone who came on the trip. It is a long walk to do in a day. The runners completed it by mid afternoon, and the rest of us reached our finish on time. 1 member continued down into Rothiemurchus forest and finished the Lairig Ghru proper, at Coylumbridge. Well earned refreshments were taken at the Old Bridge bar before the coach headed back to Aberdeen.
