"Slack low pressure"
Things suddenly looked up
after a dreary forecast for 11-12 October.
From Drumochter summit, Dolly, Steve, Keith and I were soon enough on the top of Sgairneach Mor, first Lunch; and an hour later Second Lunch on Beinn Udlamain to gaze across Loch Ericht to Ben Alder.
As the afternoon drew on, we re-packed bothy gear in the ever-beautiful Glen Feshie and walked in to the bothy at Ruigh-aiteachain. Near the braided river, as many will know, the name means Island House. There is supposed to be a link with a mural painted by [Monarch of the Glen] Edwin Landseer ..... albeit, I have read, in a nearby building now demolished. John Vaughan's tribute to Pete Bell (killed 2009) still hangs in the bothy.
A little wine and uisge later, on Sunday we made our way up the track onto the Cairngorms at Mullach Clach a Blair. My previous trip here had been quite thick clag........ so how delightful as the sun pushed through.
All the way from pointy Sgorr Gaoith eastwards to Ben Bhrotain and White Bridge, the western Gorms were revealed. The undistinguished summit was a fantastic grandstand.
But the down jackets came out, as despite the sunshine, it was cold in them thar hills. Winter is coming.
ANDREW
