Gold D Of E – Cairngorms
Posted by Max Hunter on 17th July, 2014
Dropping down into the Loch Avon Basin
Ptarmigan
On 7th July I met up with the Norwich School staff team at the Cairngorm Lodge, Led by Bevin Mack, ready to set their 4 Gold D of E teams off on their exped on the 8th. The other freelancer working with the team was Sam Owens. On the Monday I was teamed up with Sarah, and we went with her team on a quick walk over Meall a’ Bhuachaille.
On the Tuesday I was teamed up with Steve, to supervise one of the teams. The forecast looked unsettled for the next 4 days, so I didn’t pack my sunhat or much suncream (mistakes!). We walked from Feshiebridge and camped outside the Ruigh aiteachain bothy in Glen Feshie. It was pretty midgy in the evening, so I was chilling with my midge net – When I first put it on, the team thought it was a little weird, but 2 minutes later they were all jealous!
On day 2 this team was very efficient and left the camp an hour early. They walked from the bothy, south through Glen Feshie, eventually east, past Geldie Lodge and camped at White Bridge. We walked further over to the Linn of Dee, taking us up to 28km for the day. The highlight of day 2 was seeing 2 adders – brilliant.
On day 3 we started from our base at ‘Basecamp’ at Mar Lodge, and went up past Derry Lodge, North up Glen Derry to the Hutchinson Hut, up to Loch Etchachan, then north over into the Loch Avon Basin. This was now day 3 of amazing clear skies, zero rain, and beating sunshine. We had a terrific camp spot on the beaches of Loch Avon, with an evening trip to look at the Shelter Stone, as I was looking up at the Shelter Stone Crag, with classics such as the ‘Steeple’ and ‘The Needle’.
On the Friday we reluctantly left Loch Avon and headed up and over Cairngorm to intercept the group as they headed back to Cairngorm Lodge for the end of their 4 day Gold exped.
Well done Bevin for organising, what turned out to be a successful expedition for all, and thank you to Steve for the company for 4 days.
Cairngorm plateau
Summit of Cairngorm, 1244m
Adder 2
Highlight of day 2 – seeing 2 adders
Beach Dwellers
A perfect camping spot
Stepping stones to the beach
A grassy campsite
Shelter Stone
Shelter Stone in the sun