Beinn a' Bhuird, Beinn a' Chaorainn and Beinn Bhreac

Inspired by Nick Bramhall's blog about a two day journey around the Dubh Gleann Circuit, Wally and I headed up the Quoich on Friday to explore the Beinn a' Bhuird area. Neither of us know the Southern Cairngorms that well, and were really looking forward to two days on the plateau, with the prospect of three munros and some wintery weather.

 

The trip began with a leisurely 6km walk from the Linn of Quoich amongst mature scots pine forest. The Allt Dubh Ghleann must be crossed before beginning to climb on to the open hill towards Beinn a Bhuird. Note- this river crossing is impossible in spate.

Approaching the summit of Beinn a' Bhuird.  There was not much snow left on the plateau, but temperatures were already dropping, and wintery weather forecast for later that evening. 

 

 Looking towards the crags of Etchachan and Ben Macdui.

 Descending west from the summit of Beinn a' Bhuird towards Beinn a' Chaorainn at sunset, on the look out for a camp spot. The old snow was bomber hard, and although the patches were small, cutting steps slowed things down a fair bit.

 We found a dry and flat spot tucked under a small crag by a partially frozen lochain. This is the next morning, striking a very cold camp. 

The weather took a turn for the mistier, and with fresh snow, there was some navigation to be done.  We stomped up Beinn a' Chaorainn in freshening winds, before negotiating our way across the (thankfully) frozen bog to Beinn Bhreac. from here, the gently undulating ridge continued until we could descend back towards the junction of the Quoich Water and the Allt Dub Ghleann.