With temperatures of 22 degrees, Scotland was even warmer than some Mediterranean countries yesterday. How lucky for us that we both had booked a weekend away, this time separately. Jaap went down to Fort Augustus for the
Great Glen Fest and improve his canoeing skills. I went to Kingussie for a trip organised by the ski club. Although we weren't able to do any skiing at all, the weather couldn't have been better for a hike in the Cairngorms.
We started our walk to Ben Mheadhoin at Coire Cas carpark. After 8.5 hours and a total of almost 2,700 meters of ascending and descending we came back, tired but exhilarated by the magnificient views and great company!
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| Area map |
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| Elevation map |
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| After our first ascent |
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| Descent to Loch Avon |
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| I'm looking quite tired already after a very steep descent! |
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| Fascinating rocks and tors |
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| The landscape looked quite surreal! |
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| Beautiful rock textures |
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| Finally at the top of Ben Mheadhoin |
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| The lightest person was able to ski down on his boots from the smallest patch of snow |
After a good night sleep in the hostel
Woodlands, I decided not to tag along for another hike, but instead go for a bike ride on my own. I started at the carpark along the river Spey in Aviemore and followed the Speyside Way through Boat of Garten, had a lunch break at Loch Garten and then cycled back. A total distance of 37 km. My blisters were fine, but at the end of the day my buttocks were the problem.
I finished a perfect weekend with a well-deserved soft ice cream in the village, aahh....Life's good!!
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| Area map |
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| Derelict trainwagon |
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| Sculpture in forest |
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| The Speyside Way meanders through beautiful moorland |
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| Me an my bike |
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| Woman and horse enjoying a summer's day |
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| Birch forest |
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| Boat of Garten station |
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| Tranquility at Loch Garten |
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| Lunchbreak on the banks of Loch Garten |
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| Path through Abernethy Nature Reserve |
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| Views towards Cairngorm Mountains |
