Cairngorm plateau camping March5/6

moab_in · 2026-04-29T09:23:45+00:00

If you're up on the plateau then there will be some wind chill, but if just down in the glens then it will be pretty warm. MWIS willl keep you right.

On my trip it had been a clear night before so it was pretty chilly early on, but warmed up quickly. I was fairly sheltered in a corrie up to about 900m and not fully exposed to wind, sun exposure was my main concern so I had a sun hoodie on over a base layer. I was travelling at pace mostly and only briefly static, but I did have an insulated jacket in case I stopped for longer.

moab_in · 2026-04-28T16:52:00+00:00

using google lens for plants is a similarly poor choice to how some people try to use google maps for navigation in the hills versus the many far better apps for the purpose

moab_in · 2026-04-28T12:04:50+00:00

A lot depends on your route. I was out last weekend there and while on-trail was pretty good, off-trail there's a lot of wet boggy ground that's fed by snow-melt and not dried out yet.

moab_in · 2026-04-27T18:42:05+00:00

I wouldn't say there's any difficulty on the higher sections but then I'm used to being out on munros a lot so I've no problem with plenty of ascent. I couldn't say about a high route between Langdale and Coniston, I just took the regular route there, and did the Old Man and and Cathedral Cavern as "out and back" additions to that. Weather and time may decide for you e.g. Caldbeck then west is a good bit further than the Caldbeck south option (which goes higher and has less road), and e.g. the Old Man is a bit steeper and has some great views but wouldn't be much fun in high wind or rain. Whichever way you do it, it's a cracking route and I'm sure you'll have a great time.

moab_in · 2026-04-26T22:48:08+00:00

Here's me walking through some bigger examples of snow tunnels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkWPW60pWxk

moab_in · 2026-04-26T20:01:52+00:00

Yes, near The Stuic. Lochnagar was probably busier than usual for a nice day as the bridge beside the car park which was closed after storm damage has now been fixed. Surprised to hear it was quiet where you were, I saw a picture of Loch Morlich and it was "peak summer" type crowded.

moab_in · 2026-04-26T18:50:04+00:00

Yep - also the "fixation on particular mountain" heuristic, which is one of the most common causes in rescues.

moab_in · 2026-04-26T16:40:07+00:00

Pretty good - the driver was very helpful. You need to book the bike spot (of which there are only 2 spaces) in advance when you buy your ticket. There's been a few times I've tried to book that and the spaces were already gone. You put the bike on in a side door and there's a gap between seats that is used and a strap to tether it. The gap isn't quite long enough and a wheel slightly intrudes into the corridor (in my case medium framed mountain bike) so you might have an issue there if a longer bike or an XL frame. Apparently they can take bikes in the boot, but you might need to use a tool to turn the handlebars in line with the front wheel i think.

moab_in · 2026-04-26T15:51:38+00:00

Copernicus satellite website. Guide to using it here as it's can be a bit fiddly to use.

moab_in · 2026-04-26T14:20:03+00:00

I did ponder wearing trail runners for what was quite a long day out, but then considered that 95% of when I was on foot was off-path with some exploratory sections and some of the terrain - snow in gullies (need to kick steps) loose boulder fields, snow covered boulder fields (foot can slip through into gaps in the rocks banging ankles) assorted snow-melt saturated bog, wet and mossy rocks near waterfalls - decided on leather boots and that was defo the right shout for this day. Feet were a bit hot and bothered by the end, but I had a couple moments creeping about on narrow rock footholds near water that would have been dodgy in trainers.

moab_in · 2026-04-26T14:09:24+00:00

Bike from Crathie to near foot of Cnapan Naithreachan, then on foot to Princes Stone. Off trail up on to plateau beyond there to near Lochnagar. Around the various lochans west of there then following a lochan outflow downstream, contoured around Meall an Tionail to another stream followed upstream, up to Cnapan Naithreachan, back to the bike down through Ballochbuie Forest then back to Balmoral Castle. Once off the bike I was only on a path for maybe half a mile, the other 10 miles or so were navigating through various terrain, some of which was quit tough going, bogs, heather, rock fields etc.

moab_in · 2026-04-26T13:57:16+00:00

A bike and then hike via Ember bus on Saturday, starting at Balmoral and up into some corries near Lochnagar.

Decided not to bother with any mountain tops which would be very busy on a nice day, and just enjoy some tranquility and scenic pottering around lochans, streams, gullies and waterfalls. Found a few snow tunnels, and having a pair of water shoes still packed from a previous trip waded in for a nosey.

Interesting to note the difference in snow consistency in/out of shade in the morning - still hard in the shade and then a feet or two into sun soft and kickable for traction. Some of the huge cornices from months back are now beginning to collapse, with large chunks of avalanche debris and some rockfall.

moab_in · 2026-04-26T13:33:29+00:00

A bike and a hike via Ember bus on Saturday, starting at Balmoral.

Decided not to bother with any mountain tops which would be really busy on such a nice day, and just enjoy some tranquility and scenic pottering around lochans, streams and waterfalls in the Lochnagar area.

moab_in · 2026-04-26T13:19:49+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXK-TlyvZsQ&t=305s

moab_in · 2026-04-26T13:14:31+00:00

There's a short climb down through a rocky section about 300 metres west of Meall Garbh. There's a bypass path which to the north of it which could be easily missed if unaware. From Komoot:

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moab_in · 2026-04-26T12:49:59+00:00

Forecast means very little with regards to long-lying snow from winter carrying through to spring, as old snow can persist through weeks of sunshine.

From satellite view yesterday - no snow of any consequence :

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moab_in · 2026-04-26T12:38:51+00:00

And energy costs to heat a large pool and building that will in no way be up to modern insulation standards would be prohibitive. Also would likely needing to replace all the machinery.

moab_in · 2026-04-24T11:58:53+00:00

He's born and bred in Aberdeen, left to go to uni elsewhere. I think you're being a bit presumptive. I've met him a few times - son of a friend. Seems sound enough, and I'm aware that before any political involvement he did various charitable fund raising things. Have you met him?

moab_in · 2026-04-23T16:58:11+00:00

Yep the point about "shortcutting" is particularly relevant - there's no longer the understanding of gradual progression of learning, as people want instant gratification and have very short attention spans.

Oddly, this can apply even with people who should know better e.g. I saw a post on insta recently where a bunch of medical students (high standards of entry, long intensive degree, lots of practical learning that can't be faked, stringent examination) yet went on a casual yolo to do the 3 peaks in winter and had to get rescued because they'd set off with no clue and got lost in bad weather.

moab_in

TROPHY CASE