Derry Cairngorm, Scottish Highlands (17/05/2008)
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The ecological toilet at Linn of Dee
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Alastair ready for the climb
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Alastair summoning the troops
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Half the walkers
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...and the other half
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Setting off through the forest
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The early part of the main track - in the sunshine
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Looking across to the Lui Water
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Crossing the bridge over the Lui Water
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On the track along the north side of the glen
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Mountain rescue teams gathering near Derry Lodge
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The walkers gathering under the trees beside the footbridge
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A convenient fallen tree to lean on
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Alastair is keen to get moving again!
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Crossing the bridge over the Derry Burn
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Starting to climb up through the ancient pine forest
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Over the stile with the mountain rescue team
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A good path through the plantation of young pine trees
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Onto the open mountainside leading up to Carn Crom
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Eerie landscape on the plateau
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Taking a break after the first climb
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At the top of Carn Crom in the mist
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Continuing on the gradual climb across patches of snow
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Line of walkers heading up through the clouds
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The final stretch of the climb across the snow
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Tactical retreat after being pinned down by the wind
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A view of the glen to the east, beneath the heavy clouds
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Catching up with the others at the summit
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Some champagne for Alastair to celebrate the final summit
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Slainte! (Cheers!)
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Skies clearing around us
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Geoff strikes up a tune on the pipes
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Appreciated by everyone!
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Setting off back down
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The view down
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Looking west towards Ben Macdui and Cairn Toul
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Looking east from the summit across Beinn Bhreac
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Looking back to the summit, now in the sunshine, from the southern top
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A wider panorama from the southern top
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Crossing the boulders on the way down
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Looking down towards Carn Crom
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Continuing down
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..with the summit behind
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Approaching the bealach before Carn Crom
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Great view back towards Cairn Toul
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And a good view back of Derry Cairngorm
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Walking into the wind
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...on the path leading from Derry Cairngorm
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Another view of Cairn Toul
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And a panoramic view of Cairn Toul from Carn Crom
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Crossing the rocks of Carn Crom before descending to Glen Lui
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Walking down towards Glen Lui
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On the way down looking east
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Descent to Glen Lui with Lochnagar in the distance
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A beautiful walk in the afternoon sunshine
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Changing out of the wet weather gear above Glen Derry
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That's better!
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Another wee celebration!
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The path down to Glen Lui
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Off we go again
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Meeting the mountain rescue team again
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Back at the pine forest
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Fortunately this is just an exercise
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Walking through the plantatin of young pine trees
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These ones have been here a bit longer
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Pine Tree Avenue
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Crossing the Derry Burn once again
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Alastair struggling with another bottle of champagne!
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Success!
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Relaxing after the climb!
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..and the mountain rescue team recovering after their exertions
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Passing Derry Lodge
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Looking across the glen from the lodge
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The hikers heading back along the track from Derry Lodge
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The summits of Derry Cairngorm seen in the distance
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Dorothy, Alban and Alistair pausing on the way back
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Looking down Glen Lui
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Approaching the bridge over the Lui Water
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Derry Cairngorm above the Lui Water
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Looking downriver from the bridge
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Looking back at the bridge
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View back towards Derry Cairngorm between the pine trees
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Dead pine
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Approaching the turning for the track through the forest to the car park
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End of the hike!
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Alastair entertains his guests after dinner in Braemar Youth Hostel
