Strong winds reduce the chance to continue on beyond Cairngorm but a good day out nevertheless (Munros Completed : Cairngorm (79)).
Cairngorm is one of the higher Munros but in effect one of the easiest because of the start from the Ski Centre. The weather was dry, high cloud but colder than it has been. The track is very easy at the start as it just follows the caterpillar track for the snow plough which goes all the way to the Ptarmigan Restaurant at the highest point of the Ski area. However, about half way up there is a path that strikes off to the right. Somehow I missed this path (don’t know how I missed it as it’s fairly obvious), but a few hundred metres further on the main track I realised my mistaken and headed off on the direction required and within 5 mins had found the track. It’s a well defined path of stones almost built like a staircase so the going is really easy.
Because of the lack of snow around, the ski centre was closed for skiing so there was very few people around. The forecast was spot on, visibility was superb and you could see for miles though brief small fronts were coming in producing minor snow showers where visibility reduced. However, the wind became increasingly strong (at the 40-60mph forecasted), the higher I reached making walking difficult at times.
Over the minor top you continue South and then bear NNW to the top of Cairngorm on a still well defined rocky path. It was here I met and spoke with 2 young lads who were coming down off the top. They had come from Corrour bothy and said it was OK but very windy on top. As I approached the wind increased further in strength and it started to get arduous. I already had all my gear on so it was slightly concerning as the windchill was extreme.
It wasn’t long before I was at the top, where there is a weather site about 50m from the summit cairn. I had to sit here in the lee of the wind for 10mins with my hands under my armpits to get the circulation going again. I had a quick drink and bite to eat watching a snow bunting that appeared close to me. Goodness knows how they survive up here in this extreme environment. It was obvious that the wind was too fierce to continue on to Beinn Mheadhoin as I was just now battling with the wind & walking had become difficult. Slightly frustrating as visibility was superb and you could see for miles, but the forecast was for increasing strength winds in the afternoon.
Once out of the shelter of the weather station cairn, I almost got blown off my feet!, so definitely knew I had made the correct decision not to continue. I quickly walked to the summit cairn before retracing the route. I never managed to get a photo of me on the summit because the camera packed up in the extreme cold even though the battery was full! I was back at the main centre by 12 noon so plenty of time to relax. The nice thing about this Munro is that at the end there is a chance to relax and have a coffee in the main restaurant and even time to wander around the Mountain Exhibition there, which I recommend.