2. 2011

Cairngorms, Scotland, in April.

After slaving for weeks on a top secret project, finally it was time to escape for Easter. After 90 mins sleep we gathered our gear and laptop and headed for the train. We planned to head for the wilds of Northern Scotland, working all the way there on the train. Unfortunately, however, a few thousand other Londoners appeared to have the same idea, meaning that work continued at our wilderness destination. Glenmore Lodge in the heart of the Cairngorm Mountains is the UKs premier outdoor training centre. I was in heaven...
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  • The B&B accommodation here worked out cheaper for a private room than the local youth hostel! It was beautiful, with high-speed wireless, right in the heart of the wilderness!

    The B&B accommodation here worked out cheaper for a private room than the local youth hostel! It was beautiful, with high-speed wireless, right in the heart of the wilderness!

  • This was the view from the grounds. You could actually walk to the main range - and indeed, we hiked back from the summits there, the next day.

    This was the view from the grounds. You could actually walk to the main range - and indeed, we hiked back from the summits there, the next day.

  • The Lodge is surrounded by forest hiking and mountain biking trails, and quiet streams.

    The Lodge is surrounded by forest hiking and mountain biking trails, and quiet streams.

  • Guests and those participating in the many outdoor courses have full use of the gym and indoor climbing walls, as well as the pool and sauna.

    Guests and those participating in the many outdoor courses have full use of the gym and indoor climbing walls, as well as the pool and sauna.

  • I expect this is the only place in the UK where you can train for the Nordic ski/shooting olympic event.

    I expect this is the only place in the UK where you can train for the Nordic ski/shooting olympic event.

  • There are gear displays everywhere...

    There are gear displays everywhere...

  • display boots

    display boots

  • display ice axes

    display ice axes

  • The Lodge even has its own weather station, so those heading out on training trips can check their survival chances and gear choices first.

    The Lodge even has its own weather station, so those heading out on training trips can check their survival chances and gear choices first.

  • The next morning, we headed up the mountain. It was odd to discover a snow-board competition, albeit a small one, when people were all over the beaches in 26 C London. Amazing to think it's all here in the same Kingdom.

    The next morning, we headed up the mountain. It was odd to discover a snow-board competition, albeit a small one, when people were all over the beaches in 26 C London. Amazing to think it's all here in the same Kingdom.

  • We left the ski resort and headed higher.

    We left the ski resort and headed higher.

  • Finally, after blundering around in the fog, we found the summit of Mt Cairngorm at 1,244 m. We initially missed it by about 30 m. The view was not the best, and it was bloody cold! About 3 C max, and we'd forgotten our gloves/warm gear in the rush to leave the London heat wave.

    Finally, after blundering around in the fog, we found the summit of Mt Cairngorm at 1,244 m. We initially missed it by about 30 m. The view was not the best, and it was bloody cold! About 3 C max, and we'd forgotten our gloves/warm gear in the rush to leave the London heat wave.

  • However, I really wanted to get beyond Mt Cairngorm and its ski resort into the unknown wilderness of the main range, beyond.

    However, I really wanted to get beyond Mt Cairngorm and its ski resort into the unknown wilderness of the main range, beyond.

  • Finally, we made it.

    Finally, we made it.

  • Cairn Lochan JdeB

    Cairn Lochan JdeB

  • Gairngorm Lodge was full of awesome pics of their outdoor course participants and the mountains. This one shows the same location, in winter.

    Gairngorm Lodge was full of awesome pics of their outdoor course participants and the mountains. This one shows the same location, in winter.

  • Then, you need skies to get very far.

    Then, you need skies to get very far.

  • In spring the snow had melted from most, but not all of the ranges. We overheard an old guide say there were places where the snow had never melted, and others where it was melting for the first time known, revealing frozen flora and fauna now extinct. Global warming working its evil magic - or rather, humankind.

    In spring the snow had melted from most, but not all of the ranges. We overheard an old guide say there were places where the snow had never melted, and others where it was melting for the first time known, revealing frozen flora and fauna now extinct. Global warming working its evil magic - or rather, humankind.

  • Cairn Lochan view N

    Cairn Lochan view N

  • There were fabulous cliffs filled with magical ice, snow and rock climbing routes - especially in winter. The Lodge runs courses in all of these, as well as winter survival, mountaineering, kayaking, mountain-biking and navigation.

    There were fabulous cliffs filled with magical ice, snow and rock climbing routes - especially in winter. The Lodge runs courses in all of these, as well as winter survival, mountaineering, kayaking, mountain-biking and navigation.

  • Fingers Ridge is an awesome climbing route - up and along the ridge.

    Fingers Ridge is an awesome climbing route - up and along the ridge.

  • Glenmore Lodge pic climber

    Glenmore Lodge pic climber

  • Glenmore Lodge pic ice climber 1

    Glenmore Lodge pic ice climber 1

  • Glenmore Lodge pic ice climber 2

    Glenmore Lodge pic ice climber 2

  • The views were breathtaking, and there was the disorientating feel of space associated with great exposure.

    The views were breathtaking, and there was the disorientating feel of space associated with great exposure.

  • After freezing ourselves for hours, with the weather worsening markedly (visibility dropping on the summits), it was time to head down to safety.

    After freezing ourselves for hours, with the weather worsening markedly (visibility dropping on the summits), it was time to head down to safety.

  • We had to cross the frozen stream. This ice 'tongue' collapsed for no apparent reason, 5 seconds after this shot was taken. Maybe the camera shutter vibrated the air too much...

    We had to cross the frozen stream. This ice 'tongue' collapsed for no apparent reason, 5 seconds after this shot was taken. Maybe the camera shutter vibrated the air too much...

  • Higher up we picked a slightly thicker patch of ice (or so we hoped) for our crossing point. Uncertainty about the thickness of the ice made our little adventure even more interesting :) Jasmijn wisely sent me across first. She's far from stupid...

    Higher up we picked a slightly thicker patch of ice (or so we hoped) for our crossing point. Uncertainty about the thickness of the ice made our little adventure even more interesting :) Jasmijn wisely sent me across first. She's far from stupid...

  • There are easier ways toe descent the streams in summer. Gairngorm Lodge pic.

    There are easier ways toe descent the streams in summer. Gairngorm Lodge pic.

  • Cairngorm Lodge also runs sea-kayaking courses.

    Cairngorm Lodge also runs sea-kayaking courses.

  • And expeditions beyond the UK.

    And expeditions beyond the UK.

  • For us, however, it was a walk by quiet forest streams.

    For us, however, it was a walk by quiet forest streams.

  • Forest stream rocks

    Forest stream rocks

  • Allthna Ciste

    Allthna Ciste

  • We got lost somewhere around here...

    We got lost somewhere around here...

  • And then found this survival shelter! Doubtless built by one of the Cairngorm Lodge students, dumped out here for the night with instructions to 'survive'.

    And then found this survival shelter! Doubtless built by one of the Cairngorm Lodge students, dumped out here for the night with instructions to 'survive'.

  • Others are dumped in the snow. We saw a line of 6 snow caves in a distant snow bank, high in the mountains. Last winter whilst skiing there, we saw a class digging their snow caves, racing the setting sun, next to a remote car park.

    Others are dumped in the snow. We saw a line of 6 snow caves in a distant snow bank, high in the mountains. Last winter whilst skiing there, we saw a class digging their snow caves, racing the setting sun, next to a remote car park.

  • For us wimps, however, it was the plush Cairngorm Lodge accommodations.

    For us wimps, however, it was the plush Cairngorm Lodge accommodations.

  • But not until we'd been canoeing! And so Jasmijn dragged me away from the comforts of the sauna, out onto the freezing Loch Morlich.

    But not until we'd been canoeing! And so Jasmijn dragged me away from the comforts of the sauna, out onto the freezing Loch Morlich.

  • I gritted my teeth and tried to enjoy it.

    I gritted my teeth and tried to enjoy it.

  • The canoeing dogs, at least, certainly enjoyed it!

    The canoeing dogs, at least, certainly enjoyed it!

  • At long last, I was allowed into the sauna.

    At long last, I was allowed into the sauna.

  • Beauties can be found there :)

    Beauties can be found there :)

  • As well as monsters!! It's a very cool sauna.

    As well as monsters!! It's a very cool sauna.

  • We had 1/2 an hour in Edinburgh on the way back, where we found this gentleman guarding a doorway in the Royal Mile (which has Edinburgh Castle at one end, and Holyrood Palace at the other).

    We had 1/2 an hour in Edinburgh on the way back, where we found this gentleman guarding a doorway in the Royal Mile (which has Edinburgh Castle at one end, and Holyrood Palace at the other).

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    The B&B accommodation here worked out cheaper for a private room than the local youth hostel! It was beautiful, with high-speed wireless, right in the heart of the wilderness!
    This was the view from the grounds. You could actually walk to the main range - and indeed, we hiked back from the summits there, the next day.