It was actually quite chilly (9C) in my shorts and t-shirt but the skies were brilliant blue. I was up at the Chalamain gap within 40 minutes and chose to ascend the bypass path since I was not keen to repeat the awkward climb through. This allowed me early sight of the shoulder of my intended mountain. It had been 18 months since I'd run through here with Darren on an epic 50-km day down the Lairig an Laoigh and up the Lairig Ghru. Being back here brought back that familiarity but total respect for an area that I adore. I feel like I belong in the Cairngorms.
I skipped over the stepping stones at the river and began the ascent of the hill proper. 250m ascent in a 1-km distance showed that it was relatively steep but the gradient soon levelled off, although the boulders meant for careful treading. Eventually, I was high above the Lairig Ghru and staring across to Carn a Mhaim and the Devil's point, which were dwarfed by the massif of Braeriach. I scared a ptarmigan and its 2 chicks and it did its best to persuade me to follow it, with its fake injury. I naturally avoided the chicks and eventually the ptarmigan had led me a good 50m up the hill before it flew back to re-join its young family. Wee wildlife moments like that stick with you forever. I was now looking over the vast Garbh Choire and then at the summit. I moved round to the coire lip and sat taking in the amazing view and peace. The wind was both cold and wondrous.
My return down the hill was complete with those hoping to ascend before it got too hot. I was back at the car 4.5 hours after setting off with another Munro, 25km, and a fantastic hill experience.
