In July I summited Ben Macdui (2nd highest).
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
In August, Ben Nevis (highest).
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
Just two weeks after on August 30, 2016 I’m heading back up the A9 in the dark hours of night aiming to summit Britain’s 3rd, 4th and 5th highest, Braeriach, Cairn Toul and Sgor an Lochain Uaine respectively.
With the ascent of Cairngorm on the same day of climbing Ben Macdui, that means I topped Britain’s 6 highest peaks between June and August 2016.
| Ranking | Mountain | Height (ft) | Relative height (ft) | Height (m) | Relative height (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ben Nevis | 4409 | 4409 | 1344 | 1344 |
| 2 | Ben Macdui | 4294 | 3116 | 1309 | 950 |
| 3 | Braeriach | 4252 | 1512 | 1296 | 461 |
| 4 | Cairn Toul | 4236 | 545 | 1291 | 166 |
| 5 | Sgòr an Lochain Uaine | 4127 | 387 | 1258 | 118 |
| 6 | Cairn Gorm | 4085 | 476 | 1245 | 145 |
It’s 3.30am on August 30th and on the A9 heading for the heart of the Cairngorms once again.
I arrive at the Sugar Bowl Car Park near Cairngorm Mountain Resort around 6am and commence a long 12.5 hour walk, incorporating 3 munros.
CREDIT: GOOGLE MAPS
Conditions aren’t bad, dry with mix of sun and cloud but rather windy!
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
After leaving the car 40 minutes ago and rounding Cairngorm and other hills, the wilderness opens up and Braeriach lies before me.
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
So the long, wind swept ascent of Braeriach begins. Cairngorm Summit seen in distance of below photo.
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
Very open, exposed, windy plateau on ascent of Braeriach.
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
Nearing the top.
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
Nice view looking down Glen Dee.
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
Great capture of lentecular cloud from Braeriach’s vast open top. No shelter at all from the 50+ mph wind.
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
Looking across to Cairn Toul (left) and Sgor an Lochain Uaine (right). Long walk still in front of me.
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
After loosing at least an hour battling fog and with no GPS I finally make it to the summit of 4,126ft Sgor an Lochain Uaine, Britain’s 5th highest.
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
Cloud/fog continue to clear making for great views of my final summit, Cairn Toul.
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
Looking down on Lochan Uaine (loch) and across Glen Dee to mighty Ben Macdui.
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
Sunshine begins to appear providing stunning views looking back to Braeriach as I decent a steep gully between Cairn Toul and Sgor Lochain Uaine.
CREDIT: MARK VOGAN
Ben Macdui looking great!
Credit: Mark Vogan
After a tiring decent off Cairn Toul, I’m down on the floor of Glen Dee but a long 2 hour walk awaits before re-joining the path I started off on early in the morning.
Credit: Mark Vogan
Looking back at where I had just been, Cairn Toul left, Sgor an Lochain Uaine right.
Credit: Mark Vogan
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