The Southern Cairngorms: [Devil's Point (130), Carn Toul (4), Angel's Peak (5)] and Braeriach (3)

Walk date: 04/07/05
My Munro #'s: 30

A much better view from The Devil's Point than my first visit!















A wet but cloud-free Angel's Peak for Paul:



Interesting cloud effects toward Braeriach:














Paul and Andrew Walks 2005! Yes indeed, here start the walks of Paul's 2005 visit. They are clipped to only include the walks that included new Munro's for me, of which this was the first; taking in four in total over an exhausting 11 hours but only adding one to my tally! We didn't set off too late, but we did soonish discover that we'd left the map in the car, so by the time we'd collected it and set off again it was 11am! We made good progress up The Devil's Point, having rid ourselves of our hangovers from Jim's BBQ that we'd been suffering from on the previous day. Carn Toul was also leisurely in decent weather. However, the cloud came in as we moved onto Angel's Peak and with it came a fast downpour. As we moved onto Braeriach, the cloud started burning off and created some interesting effects. We initially overshot the peak, but worked out what we'd done, helpfully with a view again, and were soon dropping down the eastern buttress. This turned out to be a very large scree bank with much foliage around it, especially on the lower slopes, and this really slowed progress. By the time we were back in Glen Dee, it was late and supplies were low; I was the only one with drink left and it wasn't much. The long stomp back was an exercise in determination and an investigation into how strongly a man could feel for the waiting beer back home in the fridge (after a 2 hour drive!). Back to car at 22:30 and home in Aberdeen at 00:30 ready to start cooking dinner. Needless to say, we took the next day off!!

The Southern Cairngorms: The Devil's Point (Bod an Deamhain) (130), Cairn Toul (4) and Angel's Peak (Sgor an Lochain Uaine) (5)

Walk date: 04/06/05
My Munro #'s: 24, 25 and 26

The Devil's Peak, no feeling inadequate now:


Ah, the wonderful views! Coming up to Cairn Toul:


Looking north up Glen Dee at the end of the bagging:


This day was my first outing taking along my aging mountain bike, but I was amazingly grateful for even its rickety frame on this long and wet dreary day. I took it past Derry Lodge into Glen Luibeg, hiding it amongst the last trees at the eastern edge. The cloud was very low, completely obscuring even the lower slopes of The Devil's Point (which incidently is more correctly referred to as The Penis of the Demon, its alter-ego coming about due to John Brown deftly avoiding embarrassment upon being asked for the peak's name by Queen Victoria!). By 900m up the cloud began releasing its rain and didn't stop for the rest of the day. Visibility was down to 20m at best and this contributed to my surprise at how much work was required to reach Cairn Toul from The Devil's Point. I had been interested in Cairn Toul since seeing its impressive slopes from Monadh Mor, and the lack of views on this day only added to the required respect, giving the hill an epic quality. A straightforward drop and climb to Angel's Peak was accompained by an increase in the rain leading to any dry patches left giving up the ghost. On returning to the col I allowed myself a second lunch complete with a welcomed hot drink from my flask before starting the long journey back. Satisfied, but ready for warmth, food, music and beer! Finding my bike on the way back was like being reunited with a long-lost friend!