Thursday 11 September 2003

brocken spectre and abysmal drops

Ben MacDui (10th Sept 2003)



Iain and I set off from Coire Cas car park at 8.45am on a bright clear morning.  As we climbed into Coire an t'Sneachda, the sun cast our shadows onto the mist lying below us, creating a perfect Brocken Spectre (right):










Enjoyed the scramble up Fiacaill Coire an t'Sneachda (left)























Iain detoured up Stob Coire an t-Sneachda, while I waited for him along the cliff top of Cairn Lochan (right), which must be one of the most dramatic cliff edges in Scotland - the almost horizontal summit plateau suddenly drops almost vertically into the coire below.  I wouldn't like to be anywhere near the edge in mist or a white-out.  Even on a clear day, I approach the edge lying flat on my stomach!




Strolled across the plateau to Scotland's second highest mountain, Ben MacDui (and, for me, my 163rd Munro).  Superb panoramic view to the west of Carn Toul, Sgurr an Lochain Uaine and Braeriach:








Headed east over bouldery ground, down to Carn Etchachan, for superb views down to Loch Avon (right):


Back across the plateau.


Iain detoured to Lurcher's Crag (is he becoming a top bagger?), while I took the direct route down the ridge.  He soon caught up - long, youthful legs!


Enjoyed the easy walk back on the superb path t the car park.


(written 31/12/09)