Footprints Across Scotland
Why not make a few of your own!
30th April 2016
Last day of April and winter had returned. A hard but rewarding day on Beinn a' Bhuird and Ben Avon in the eastern Cairngorms.
Route Map
I always enjoy routes that take me through some of the less frequented parts of the hills, one such route wanders up through the main corrie of Beinn a’ Bhuird. The most recent of my journeys here had taken me right into the heart of the corrie before a steep ascent up the head wall had me on the plateau not to far from the north top. Recent heavy snow had seen a blanket of white covering much of the Cairngorms so I decided to take another look in the corrie although following my previous route up to the top seemed unlikely but I would play it by ear. The tracks from the car park at Invercauld and up through the Gleann Allt an t-slugain were still clear and so my bike again eased the early part of the journey up almost as far as the ruins.
View from the Slugain ruins
Emerging from the fairy glen the views to Beinn a’Buird across the grassland draw you forward and the days walking truly begins.
Ben a'Bhuird, Cnap a Chleirich and Carn Eas
The usual easy going along the pathway out toward the Sneck was interrupted in many places by lying snow.
Ben a'Bhuird
I usually cross Glas Allt Mor and leave the path as it turns back on itself heading up to Clach a’ Cleirich but as this was looking like a difficult proposition today I dropped down to ford Allt Dearg.
Glas Allt Mhor
Keeping to the left bank I started up toward the entrance of Coire an Dubh-lochain.
Allt Dearg
I then quickly made the turning along the side of Allt an-Dubh-lochain which points the way toward the impressive Dividing Buttress.
Allt an-Dubh-lochain and the Dividing Buttress
View back to Carn Eas
Allt an-Dubh-lochain and the Dividing Buttress
Allt an-Dubh-lochain and the Dividing Buttress
There was plenty of interest along here with many pools and cascades to admire along with wider views into Coire nan Clach.
Dividing Buttress
Dividing Buttress and Coire nan Clach
Ptarmigan
After leaving the burn side a final rise had me gain the entrance proper to what is a rather majestic corrie.
Coire an Dubh-lochain
Dubh Lochan was complete covered by a blanket of snow, its outline only just discernable when shadows were cast by the passing clouds. After finding a suitable spot for lunch I sat back and enjoyed the tranquil scene sheltered down here in the corrie from the strong winds higher up.
Coire an Dubh-lochain
Coire an Dubh-lochain
Coire an Dubh-lochain Time Lapse Video
Coire an Dubh-lochain
The ridge line at the head of the corrie looked corniced and I didn’t think the snow would be very consolidated so I decided on the entertaining ascent up the A’Chioch ridge.
Coire an Dubh-lochain
Coire an Dubh-lochain
After emerging onto the plateau near the south top I spoke with a couple of guys retuning from the north top who advised me that it had been quite a slog through the snow.
Beinn a' Bhuird Plateau
I could have elected for an easy option off the hill but wanting to make the most of the fine day I decided to at least head around to the summit. The walk across was indeed not the easiest and in places as the snow was not very supportive but all in all it wasn’t that hard going.
Beinn a' Bhuird Plateau
Beinn a' Bhuird, corries edge
Ben Avon from the Beinn a' Bhuird Plateau (zoomed)
Ben Avon from the Beinn a' Bhuird Plateau
Pushing on from the top I headed on around to Cnap a Chleirich before descending to the Sneck.
Ben Avon and Cnap a' Chleirich
Stob an t-Sluichd
The headwall of Garbh Choire
Garbh Choire
On reaching the bealach I thought that I may as well continue and on head up Ben Avon.
Garbh Choire from Ben Avon
I’d been up here on a camp trip earlier in the year but always enjoy a visit to the rather unique Torr scattered plateau.
Ben Avon Summit Tor
I spotted another walker a little ahead of me who gave a nice bit of scale to the scene.
Walker appoaching Ben Avon Summit Tor
He appeared to bypass the summit Torr and continue heading north.
Ben Avon Summit
I also didn’t bother climbing the Tor itself but turned to retrace my steps for a while before heading south down the ridgeline to point 1089 and Carn Eas. Not the easiest walking again as I plodded through the soft snow but I had plenty of excuses to pause and take in the views back over to Ben Avon plateau.
Ben Avon Summit
Ben Avon Summit Tors
Ben Avon Plateau
Sloshing down through the snow along the curved ridge was easy enough higher up but lower down the thinner snow cover broke though into boggier ground beneath so I was more than happy when I made the main path. It was now just a steady march albeit on tiring legs back to the bike. The cycle back out down the glen was largely uneventful until my front wheel somehow became trapped when crossing one of the burns and I was unable to stop ‘capsizing’ as my outstretched leg only found a slippery rock and I ended up being dunked back side first into the icy water. Fortunately it wasn’t too long before I was back at the van and able to get out of my rather wet trousers. The kettle was on while changing and I was soon sat down enjoying a brew and reflecting another grand Cairngorm outing on a pair of very fine hills.
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