TR- Cairngorm & Ben Macdhui

Quoted message said:

Photos soon.

Nick

www.mtbnick.fotopic.net under Loch Morlich.

The BenMacdhui route inc photo stops etc was 4hrs30mins and 16.5km.

Nick

Nick (Scots) said:

The BenMacdhui route inc photo stops etc was 4hrs30mins and 16.5km.

I did this route up Macdhui in July. From Macdhui I descended to Loch
Etchachan, down to Loch Avon (taking a peep to see if anyone was in
residence in the Shelter Stone). From Loch Avon I intended to go up
Corrie Raibert, but wasn't looking forward to it as I'd done it a couple
of times before and found it a hard flog. I missed the Corrie Raibert
path but thought 'never mind, I can go over The Saddle at the Eastern
end' of Loch Avon. My map was at the bottom of my daysac and I had the
vague idea that The Saddle would take me out somewhere on the Eastern
slopes of Cairngorm, so I soldiered on (big mistake!). After going over
The Saddle, I realised that I wasn't too sure of where I was, but after
a seemingly interminable flog I realised that I was in Strath Nethy.
Eventually I pulled out (past the now non-existant Bynack Stable)
through Ryvoan to the Ski road at Loch Morlich. I hoped to thumb up to
the Ski Lodge where my car was parked, but nobody was traveling up that
time of night, so I had to walk! I finaly got to my car at 23.30. I'd
set out at 10.00, so my round trip had taken 13 1/2 hours and I was
pretty knackered!

Although I've got a lot of experience in the hills, I've done this sort
of thing before - not checked the map because I thought I knew the
route, and came unstuck. Because of this, I know I'll never make a ML!

Jim Ford

"Jim Ford" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Nick (Scots) said:

The BenMacdhui route inc photo stops etc was 4hrs30mins and 16.5km.

I did this route up Macdhui in July. From Macdhui I descended to Loch
Etchachan, down to Loch Avon (taking a peep to see if anyone was in
residence in the Shelter Stone). From Loch Avon I intended to go up Corrie
Raibert, but wasn't looking forward to it as I'd done it a couple of times
before and found it a hard flog. I missed the Corrie Raibert path but
thought 'never mind, I can go over The Saddle at the Eastern end' of Loch
Avon. My map was at the bottom of my daysac and I had the vague idea that
The Saddle would take me out somewhere on the Eastern slopes of Cairngorm,
so I soldiered on (big mistake!). After going over The Saddle, I realised
that I wasn't too sure of where I was, but after a seemingly interminable
flog I realised that I was in Strath Nethy. Eventually I pulled out (past
the now non-existant Bynack Stable) through Ryvoan to the Ski road at Loch
Morlich. I hoped to thumb up to the Ski Lodge where my car was parked, but
nobody was traveling up that time of night, so I had to walk! I finaly got
to my car at 23.30. I'd set out at 10.00, so my round trip had taken 13
1/2 hours and I was pretty knackered!

Although I've got a lot of experience in the hills, I've done this sort of
thing before - not checked the map because I thought I knew the route, and
came unstuck. Because of this, I know I'll never make a ML!

Jim Ford

I came down Strath Nethy in a storm (it was only September!) a few years
ago. What strength sapping place to be. The Stable could be seen for
hours before I arrived and was just mocking my every step. God, that a a
hard hard day.

FYI, I did Bynack More, but got slightly lost as I traversed over it. The
weather wasn't too bad to start, but at the top it was hailstones and I just
wandered too far east.

Jhimmy

"Jim Ford" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Nick (Scots) said:

The BenMacdhui route inc photo stops etc was 4hrs30mins and 16.5km.

I did this route up Macdhui in July. From Macdhui I descended to Loch
Etchachan, down to Loch Avon (taking a peep to see if anyone was in
residence in the Shelter Stone). From Loch Avon I intended to go up Corrie
Raibert, but wasn't looking forward to it as I'd done it a couple of times
before and found it a hard flog. I missed the Corrie Raibert path but
thought 'never mind, I can go over The Saddle at the Eastern end' of Loch
Avon. My map was at the bottom of my daysac and I had the vague idea that
The Saddle would take me out somewhere on the Eastern slopes of Cairngorm,
so I soldiered on (big mistake!). After going over The Saddle, I realised
that I wasn't too sure of where I was, but after a seemingly interminable
flog I realised that I was in Strath Nethy. Eventually I pulled out (past
the now non-existant Bynack Stable) through Ryvoan to the Ski road at Loch
Morlich. I hoped to thumb up to the Ski Lodge where my car was parked, but
nobody was traveling up that time of night, so I had to walk! I finaly got
to my car at 23.30. I'd set out at 10.00, so my round trip had taken 13
1/2 hours and I was pretty knackered!

Although I've got a lot of experience in the hills, I've done this sort of
thing before - not checked the map because I thought I knew the route, and
came unstuck. Because of this, I know I'll never make a ML!

Hmm, well there are a lot offingers sticking out of Cairngorm. I took a
bearing
on Creag Meagaidh in May, perfectly clear day. But there was 5 fingers of
ridges. Just too be sure i took the bearing. people on the summit thought i
was
stupid. But of course it was worth it as I descended the right ridge.

Nick

"Nick (Scots)" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Jim Ford" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Nick (Scots) said:

The BenMacdhui route inc photo stops etc was 4hrs30mins and 16.5km.

I did this route up Macdhui in July. From Macdhui I descended to Loch
Etchachan, down to Loch Avon (taking a peep to see if anyone was in
residence in the Shelter Stone). From Loch Avon I intended to go up
Corrie Raibert, but wasn't looking forward to it as I'd done it a couple
of times before and found it a hard flog. I missed the Corrie Raibert
path but thought 'never mind, I can go over The Saddle at the Eastern
end' of Loch Avon. My map was at the bottom of my daysac and I had the
vague idea that The Saddle would take me out somewhere on the Eastern
slopes of Cairngorm, so I soldiered on (big mistake!). After going over
The Saddle, I realised that I wasn't too sure of where I was, but after a
seemingly interminable flog I realised that I was in Strath Nethy.
Eventually I pulled out (past the now non-existant Bynack Stable) through
Ryvoan to the Ski road at Loch Morlich. I hoped to thumb up to the Ski
Lodge where my car was parked, but nobody was traveling up that time of
night, so I had to walk! I finaly got to my car at 23.30. I'd set out at
10.00, so my round trip had taken 13 1/2 hours and I was pretty
knackered!

Although I've got a lot of experience in the hills, I've done this sort
of thing before - not checked the map because I thought I knew the route,
and came unstuck. Because of this, I know I'll never make a ML!

Hmm, well there are a lot offingers sticking out of Cairngorm. I took a
bearing
on Creag Meagaidh in May, perfectly clear day. But there was 5 fingers of
ridges. Just too be sure i took the bearing. people on the summit thought
i was
stupid. But of course it was worth it as I descended the right ridge.

Nick

Many years ago I did Aladdin's Couloir in January with the then leader of
RAF Kinloss MR Team (who will be nameless :-) ). We emerged at the top
into typical February weather, spindrift, high wind and low vis and he
strode confidently off, with me trailing behind. 2 hours later we stumbled
across the long demolished Jean's Hut, which elicited the comment, "Whoops,
I think WE'VE gone a bit wrong". Another 2 hours later, we got back to the
ski area car park, where his team was thinking about coming to rescue him!

He knew the area like the back of his hand, but it just goes to show how
easy it is for anyone to get turned around if they don't check their
bearings.

Keef

I have to say that I read this TR with some concerns. I'm very much in
favour of greater access and have argued in favour of cycles use in
some areas. In fact, I believe the ski area in the Cairngorms would be
an ideal downhill MTB venue - utilising the available uplift. There's
scope or a number of routes in Coire Cas, of varying difficulties.
However, I would advocate a ban on any bikes going uphill from the
Ptarmigan as the terrain is simply too fragile.

--
druidh

"druidh" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

I have to say that I read this TR with some concerns. I'm very much in
favour of greater access and have argued in favour of cycles use in
some areas. In fact, I believe the ski area in the Cairngorms would be
an ideal downhill MTB venue - utilising the available uplift. There's
scope or a number of routes in Coire Cas, of varying difficulties.
However, I would advocate a ban on any bikes going uphill from the
Ptarmigan as the terrain is simply too fragile.

So why are walkers allowed ????? Why are skiers allowed ????

Why are wooden fence allowed ???????

Nick

Quoted message said:

The access code emphasises Responsible Access. This means you can't
walk, bike and horse ride anywhere without thinking about the impact
your passage may have on the environment. Personally, I don't consider
biking on the high Cairngorms to be responsible behaviour.

There was no trace of my passing. There is trace or two of a railway line
and rd
and fence and pylons etc etc.

It is NOT an exclusion zone under the acces code is acces if not damaging
the pathway os alllowed. The walkers left more trace than my bike.

The very presence of the ski rd, carpark, funicular etc encourages and
allows
easy access. That's why I MTBd there !

Nick

Nick (Scots) said:

"druidh" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have to say that I read this TR with some concerns. I'm very much in
favour of greater access and have argued in favour of cycles use in
some areas. In fact, I believe the ski area in the Cairngorms would be
an ideal downhill MTB venue - utilising the available uplift. There's
scope or a number of routes in Coire Cas, of varying difficulties.
However, I would advocate a ban on any bikes going uphill from the
Ptarmigan as the terrain is simply too fragile.

So why are walkers allowed ????? Why are skiers allowed ????

Why are wooden fence allowed ???????

Nick

Yep - I agree it's not black and white. As I said, I think there's room
for a bit of leeway, but regardless of the damage on the plateau
inflicted by generations of walkers, I don't think there's any need to
exacerbate it. One of the "pros" of the train was that the number of
visits to the summit and beyond would reduce. I think it's worth
swapping that for more use of Coire Cas.

druidh

In message <[email hidden]>, druidh
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Nick (Scots) said:

"druidh" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have to say that I read this TR with some concerns. I'm very much

favour of greater access and have argued in favour of cycles use in
some areas. In fact, I believe the ski area in the Cairngorms would be
an ideal downhill MTB venue - utilising the available uplift. There's
scope or a number of routes in Coire Cas, of varying difficulties.
However, I would advocate a ban on any bikes going uphill from the
Ptarmigan as the terrain is simply too fragile.

So why are walkers allowed ????? Why are skiers allowed ????
Why are wooden fence allowed ???????
Nick

Yep - I agree it's not black and white. As I said, I think there's room
for a bit of leeway, but regardless of the damage on the plateau
inflicted by generations of walkers, I don't think there's any need to
exacerbate it. One of the "pros" of the train was that the number of
visits to the summit and beyond would reduce. I think it's worth
swapping that for more use of Coire Cas.

I don't think generations of walkers have done that much damage to the
plateau - nothing like the damage to the north side of Cairn Gorm by the
ski resort or the damage down by bulldozed tracks elsewhere. There are
some rather wide paths on the plateau but that's about it. And even
these are slight compared with some on other mountains (Carn Liath, Ben
Lawers).

Rather more damage has been done in the Northern Corries by the paths
radiating out from the Coire Cas car park, though some good repair work
has been done on these in recent years.

I was up there today, walking over to Ben MacDui and back down the Goat
Track. Lovely day, not many people around.

Chris Townsend said:

I was up there today, walking over to Ben MacDui and back down the Goat
Track. Lovely day, not many people around.

I was up on Saturday enroute to Macdhui. Surprised as to how busy it was
even considering the wonderful weather. (Sure theres no access from the
funicular?)

Would have gone on to do Beinn Mheadhoin but a late start scuppered that
idea.

Will try and get some pictures together on the website, it was a truely
brilliant day to be out in the hills.
--
Mike
Some pictures & bad html here http://www.prog99.com

In message <[email hidden]>, Mike
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Chris Townsend said:

I was up there today, walking over to Ben MacDui and back down the
Goat Track. Lovely day, not many people around.

I was up on Saturday enroute to Macdhui. Surprised as to how busy it
was even considering the wonderful weather. (Sure theres no access from
the funicular?)

Must have been because it was Saturday. I saw three people on the path
to Miadan Creag an Leth-choin, four on the plateau heading towards Cairn
Gorm, two on the summit after I'd had it to myself for half an hour and
one on the path out of Coire an t-Sneachda

Quoted message said:

Would have gone on to do Beinn Mheadhoin but a late start scuppered
that idea.

Same here.

Quoted message said:

Will try and get some pictures together on the website, it was a truely
brilliant day to be out in the hills.

Yesterday was okay, a few too many clouds to be brilliant. The best
light was in Coire an t-Sneachda on the descent, where I took some
flower pictures.

Quoted message said:

It is NOT an exclusion zone under the acces code is acces if not damaging
the pathway os alllowed. The walkers left more trace than my bike.

Bikes erode more.. think about it. The wheel leaves a continuous
furrow in soft ground - already the gully is formed for the water to
do its worse.

Does not excuse the moronic bike ban signs on the roads dotted around
the Highlands though. Came across one yesterday, Cyclists not
permitted to use this path.. Well my bike was being fixed so the gomls
did not know that a subhuman was on their patch...

And it was a road, a former railway not a path.

Idiots.

Richard Webb

The erosion issue isn't that simple either. In my experience, cyclists
tend to go through soft ground, creating a deeper depression, whereas
walkers try to go around it, creating much wider scars. The latter is
more visible from a distance.

As for horses. . . . . . .

druidh said:

The erosion issue isn't that simple either. In my experience, cyclists
tend to go through soft ground, creating a deeper depression, whereas
walkers try to go around it, creating much wider scars. The latter is
more visible from a distance.

As for horses. . . . . . .

And bloody great big railways with whopping great big tunnel
entrances........

And ski stations with no architectural merit whatsoever, unlike the
new lodge at The Lecht.

--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

Quoted message said:

Yep - I agree it's not black and white. As I said, I think there's room
for a bit of leeway, but regardless of the damage on the plateau inflicted
by generations of walkers, I don't think there's any need to exacerbate
it.

But it's not a mud/earth type path but fine gravel. So there is no trace.
Obviously if it were earthy/muddy I would leave tyre marks.

Nick

Quoted message said:

Yesterday was okay, a few too many clouds to be brilliant. The best
light was in Coire an t-Sneachda on the descent, where I took some flower
pictures.

Yeah I got Bluebells with the cliffs as a backdrop there on Friday.

Very similar 'alpine meadow' type vegetation like the base of the cirque de
gavarnie
when I was there late july. Just a bit bigger waterfalls !

No mtb allowed there and no male horses allowed in the valley either.

Nick

"Richard Webb" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It is NOT an exclusion zone under the acces code is acces if not damaging
the pathway os alllowed. The walkers left more trace than my bike.

Bikes erode more.. think about it. The wheel leaves a continuous
furrow in soft ground - already the gully is formed for the water to
do its worse.

Actually the path up there is fine hard gravel on a hard base with drainage
ridges in flagged stones so no furrow. No real earth/topsoil up there and
the Fiacaill
ridge.Very different to the paths around Loch Morlich. They are eroded.

Nick

"auchmill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
[quote="Quoted message"]

[quote="Nick \(Scots\)"][i]
It is NOT an exclusion zone under the acces code is acces if not
damaging
the pathway os alllowed. The walkers left more trace than my bike.

The very presence of the ski rd, carpark, funicular etc encourages and
allows
easy access. That's why I MTBd there !
Nick[/quote]

Just because others have bulldozed roads, built ski tows, ridden across
the moors in ATV's leaving tracks which will last for years, doesn't
mean we should feel free to bike, walk or ride everywhere. If there's
a path or a track then fine. As long as the conditions are suitable I
can't see a problem, unless the weight of traffic increases.

But, in my personal opinion, I don't think it's appropriate to bike or
horse ride on the high plateaux, or down ridges. After all the only
reason you can bike in these environments is because the ski road give
you easy access. I can't see many people wanting to lug a bike up
Macdui from Braemar just to ride on the summit.[/quote]

You can ride 80% plus from the Ski carpark to Ben Macdhui. The ranger
I spoke to said it was in a recent outdoor mag.

Quoted message said:

Although the Access Code is advisory, SNH or LA's may enact by-laws to
prevent damage to sensitive environments. And because some people
think the Cairngorms are a world treasure I can see this happening
here.