WILD CAMPING AND BOTHY TRIPS 2019

So Steve, Steve, and I have been talking and here’s the idea so far. We are pencilling in the early May Bank Holiday 4th /5th /6th May. If the weather is suitable, we’ll go to Glen Dessary in the west. If it’s poor in the west, we’ll be up to Braemar in the Cairngorms.

Taking these Options in reverse order, in the Cairngorms we’ll be seeking Carn Bhac and Beinn Iutharn Mhor. The most pleasant way, will be a bunkhouse in Braemar or Glen Shee on Friday night, followed by a 5-mile uphill MTB ride from Inverey (a few miles west of Braemar) to Altanour Lodge ruins at OS43, GR 083823. I’ve camped here previously, and it was a nice spot with some trees. It will be best to MTB taking camping gear, and then do the 2 hills on successive days. Persons with their own mountain bike can put it in Steve M’s van. Alternatively the shop in Braemar will hire them at £35 for 2 days.

The Glen Dessary trip is on 0S33. It will not involve cycles. After a bunkhouse on Friday night, it has been possible on previous trips to park at Strathan OS 33 981 915 and from here it’s rather over 2 miles to A’Chuil bothy. A strong team in good conditions can do all three of Sgurr na Ciche
Sgurr nan Coireachan. and Sgurr Mor in a day. I did them on separate days during the course of a walk through to Inverie. However it’s probably best to leave kit at the bothy, get up to the gap between the first two (Feadan na Ciche) and see what happens. If we take bothy food for 3 nights, it might be nice to go over to Kinbreak bothy in the next valley.
All to play for, depends on weather.
ANDREW