The Southern Cairngorms: Beinn Bhreac (249) and Beinn a' Chaorain (58)

Walk date: 16/04/05
My Munro #'s: 18 and 19

Snow on the slopes of Beinn Bhreac:















The ice-capped cairn of Beinn a' Chaorain:















Derry Cairngorm from Glen Derry:















11:45-18:45. Two hours after setting off, I finally park up after tracking down the Linn of Dee carpark some way past Braemar. The forecast had been for poor weather, and with heavy cloud and drizzle even in Aberdeen the signs were not good. This walk is typical of the Cairngorms, starting with a long stomp out to Derry Lodge (made a mental note to get the bike road-worthy!). Due to no path, I had some hesitation to start the climb up Beinn Bhreac and this had the knock on effect that I had to double back once on the tops to reach the actual summit. The walk across the rather flat Moine Bhealaidh to Beinn a' Chaorain was very slow going taking an hour in all with bogs, snow drifts, ice, slush and thick grass adding to the fun; feet got very soaked. However, the effort was rewarded with fantastic views from Beinn a' Chaorain! Descended free-style from the summit, partly on snow banks with no path in sight! Path in valley was initially 70% river due to snow-melt. Today's weather steadily improved from Beinn Bhreac to the point that the walk back was in glorious sunshine.