Hill: Cairngorm
Date: Friday 20th July 2012
Company: Becky, John, Beinn and myself

I set out this morning for my first wee walk following my recent Alpine trip.

I had been meaning for sometime to take Becky up her first Munro, so today seemed as good a day as any. Becky’s granddad also came along to ascend his first Munro too.

Following a nice short drive from home, I parked in the Coire Cas car park and then we set off up the standard tourist route up the mountain at a nice relaxed pace. Beinn was happy to be out today too, a good way to celebrate his 7th birthday.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

Becky, John and Beinn at the Coire Cas car park:


Becky about to go under the funicular track:


Becky and the funicular:


This was at least my 7th ascent of Cairngorm. Not going to say much about the route-up, just follow the motorway of a path.

Looking up along the funicular line:


We had plenty of wee stops on the way up, trying to make the walk as interesting as possible.

Dad wants one of these:


I want one of these:


Aviemore and Loch Morlich:


Beinn was very well-behaved today. No running off and waiting patiently for us to catch-up throughout the walk.

Beinn:


Beinn waiting patiently:


Becky at the Ptarmigan sign:


Looking back towards Coire Cas car park:


Cairngorm ridges:


On reaching the Ptarmigan restaurant, we took to the man-made path leading up towards the summit. I really dislike such paths. Fair enough they are meant to stop erosion, but if they are so awkward and uncomfortable underfoot that people choose not to walk on it, surely it defeats the purpose of having the path in the first place.

Start of track from the Ptarmigan restaurant to the summit:


Looking back to the Ptarmigan restaurant:


John having a wee break:


Becky was still full of energy as we approached the summit.

Becky ready for the final stretch to the summit:


Top of Coire an t’Sneachda:


Summit weather station:


We first ventured over to the summit cairn, where with a little assistance Becky scrambled to the top of it.

Becky and John at the summit – Joint 1st Munro:


We then had a look over at the summit weather station.

Cairngorm Weather Station:


Do I need to climb to the top of this?:


View towards Loch Avon:


We returned to the car via the same route.

Descent towards Ptarmigan restaurant:


On reaching the Ptramigan restaurant, we had a wee look inside but resisted the temptation to take the funicular back down. There was no temptation for me!

Skiing next?:


Wee break during the descent:


A good short day out. Well done to John and Becky.