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Scotland

Andrew

North Strider

Ventures into the wilderness whenever the opportunity arises to spend a night atop a hill.

3Packs3Kits72Items18Trips
3

Packs

3

Kits

72

Items

18

Trips

The record

Itinerary

Southern Cairngorms · Oct 12-14, 2025 · 3 days

10 events have locations

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Trip notes

Bruce and I had to delay this trip due to a storm but the week made all the difference. We found ourselves not with a typical Scottish Autumn but what instead represented a fine Summer day. This however, was only for those on the hills, for as you looked to horizons, the lowlands were covered in cloud.

I had taken my X Mid Pro 1 for it's first real run and took my winter bag ( Pipedream 600 )for comfort which was apt, as Bruce found himself boiling some water to keep his feet cold through the night.

Both Bruce and I likely carried too much water leading to heavier packs but not knowing water sources led us to take etc. This would have been our big saving, otherwise, light gear and plenty of food to indulge in.

Day by day

Linn of Dee Car Park

Start · morning

56.990°

-3.544°

After picking up Bruce from Edinburgh, head north to Braemar and drive westward to car park

Carn A' Mhaim

Summit · afternoon

1,037m

57.037°

-3.658°

Following the well marked tracks towards base and the odd river crossing head up the summit for views across the Lairig Ghru.

Ben Macdui

Summit · afternoon

1,309m

57.070°

-3.669°

Steep climb up boulders with packs on backs led us to top of Ben Macdui.

Camp

Camp · evening

57.067°

-3.660°

Pitched just down from top, where there was a patch of grass amongst the rocks, next to an excellent water source.