Glen Derry Round (part 2)

Peaks: Beinn a'Chaorainn, Beinn Bhreac

Area: Cairngorms

After yesterday's magnificent trip into the central Cairngorms, this was a little less glamorous and a real contrast in terms of terrain and scenery. I didn't have a particularly good night's sleep in the bothy and set off pretty early as the sun was starting to illuminate the crag at the top of the cwm. An excellent path continues down from Coire Etchtachan into the middle of the larger Glen Derry. As far as I could tell there was no direct route to the pass at the top of the glen (Lairig an Laoigh) so my only option was a longish detour south-east until I could pick up the main Glen Derry path. The pass is a sister to the more famous Lairig Ghru further west, but is less dramatic. Near the top, a steep and indistinct side path begins to climb up Beinn a'Chaorainn. It is intermittent and hard to follow at times, particularly with the early morning sun in my face, but it didn't last all that long and I soon reached the cairn for magnificent views west to the central Cairngorms, last night's bothy a tiny white dot at the bottom of the corrie: the weather was the best of the trip, very clear. Across the valley to the east rose Beinn a'Bhuiridh which I did two years ago. Then came the Moine Bhealaidh, a vast expanse of flat moorland reminiscent of the Pennines which I wasn't looking forward to. It wasn't particularly pleasant but it did at least offer the challenge of trying to pick the best lines through the bog and tussocks. I have done worse though, and I did pick up a path on the far side towards Beinn Bhreac. This becomes much drier and more pleasant as it starts to climb away from the moorland and the summit was a pleasant place with excellent views to Lochnagar and down to Beinn a'Ghlo, perfect clarity throughout. I had a much needed snack before starting the descent which looked very quick and easy but wasn't. At first, easy grassy slopes allow for quick progress down, and this gains a good path, but once it reaches the treeline it becomes boggy. It also took longer to reach Derry Lodge than I'd expected, but the views back up Glen Derry framed by the Caledonian pines were superb. Derry Cairngorm looks particularly good from here, as do all the peaks I had just done. A bigger track eventually comes in from the glen and soon I arrived back at Derry Lodge for the relaxing bike ride back to the Linn of Dee in time for an early lunch.