Low level alternative to Lairig Ghru?

Peewiglet <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I'm just wondering whether anyone can suggest a low level alternative
to the Lairig Ghru, as a route through the Cairngorms?

As mentioned before, I'm currently planning a route across Scotland.
I've been hoping and, indeed, intending to incorporate the Lairig
Ghru, but I understand that that's considered to be a high level route
and therefore I would need to plan a low level alternative in case of
cruddy weather.

I can't actually see a low level alternative that doesn't involve an
enormous detour. Can anyone tell me whether there is one? If there
isn't then fair enough - I'll just go a different way this year:
maybe via Fort Augustus instead.

Thanks for any clarification!

Best wishes,

You have done your homework correctly. You go through or you go round.
Geldie Burn to Glen Feshie is one alternative but it's a long way but
I'm not familiar with the area so cannot advise on underfoot conditions.

Or you go SW through to Glen Tilt, staying below 500m. To avoid a
boring slog along the A9 you can always take the train from Blair Atholl
to Dalwhinnie and continue from there!

--
Adrian

In message <[email hidden]>, Peewiglet
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

I'm just wondering whether anyone can suggest a low level alternative
to the Lairig Ghru, as a route through the Cairngorms?

As mentioned before, I'm currently planning a route across Scotland.
I've been hoping and, indeed, intending to incorporate the Lairig
Ghru, but I understand that that's considered to be a high level route
and therefore I would need to plan a low level alternative in case of
cruddy weather.

In May there shouldn't be any problems with the Lairig Ghru, unless
there's an unexpected late season snowfall. It could be wet and windy of
course. The high point of the Lairig Ghru is over 825 metres, but the
mountains either side are over 1200 metres.

An alternative lower route would be through Glen Feshie to the Geldie
Burn then to White Bridge.

Quoted message said:

I can't actually see a low level alternative that doesn't involve an
enormous detour. Can anyone tell me whether there is one? If there
isn't then fair enough - I'll just go a different way this year:
maybe via Fort Augustus instead.

Thanks for any clarification!

Best wishes,

In article <[email hidden]>, Peewiglet
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

I'm just wondering whether anyone can suggest a low level alternative
to the Lairig Ghru, as a route through the Cairngorms?

As mentioned before, I'm currently planning a route across Scotland.
I've been hoping and, indeed, intending to incorporate the Lairig
Ghru, but I understand that that's considered to be a high level route
and therefore I would need to plan a low level alternative in case of
cruddy weather.

I can't actually see a low level alternative that doesn't involve an
enormous detour. Can anyone tell me whether there is one? If there
isn't then fair enough - I'll just go a different way this year:
maybe via Fort Augustus instead.

Thanks for any clarification!

Best wishes,

Glen Feshie and Geldie Burn; path tops out at about 565 m. But as it's a
broad valley it might have worse weather (no shelter) than the Lairig.
Also, with all the rainfall they've been having, we might have lost some
bridges on that route, such as the one over the River Eidart. (That
could be a problem for the route over the Lairig as well.) Someone else
might know how big the rivers to be crossed are. See Land Ranger 43
Braemar.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

* The air of uk.rec.walking was filled with the delicate perfume
* of violets, as Adrian Tupper <[email hidden]> descended on a
* shaft of golden sunlight, and announced:

Quoted message said:

Peewiglet <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I'm just wondering whether anyone can suggest a low level alternative
to the Lairig Ghru, as a route through the Cairngorms?

Go for it PW - it's magnificent (IIRC Wainwright described it as 'for heroes
and heroines)!

Quoted message said:

You have done your homework correctly. You go through or you go round.
Geldie Burn to Glen Feshie is one alternative but it's a long way but
I'm not familiar with the area so cannot advise on underfoot conditions.

Glen Feshie's nice enough, after all Sir Edwin Landseer worked there (but
how did he get the Trafalgar Square Lions out of the Glen? ;^} ) There's a
Hostel in the Glen (with free porridge for breakfast - but I don't think
it's compulsory!) and there's the excellent Raigh Aitchachan Bothy (flush
toilet!). The worst bit about it though, is that there's a metalled road
right down the Glen to Feshie Lodge. I can't speak for further than Raigh
Aitchachan because I've not been further. If you do decide on Glen Feshie
and the bothy, be careful crossing the footbridge across the Feshie to the
bothy. It's rickety and when you get to the _other_ side, only then do you
see a notice warning that the bridge is dangerous! 8^\

Regards: Jim Ford

"Peewiglet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm just wondering whether anyone can suggest a low level alternative
to the Lairig Ghru, as a route through the Cairngorms?

As mentioned before, I'm currently planning a route across Scotland.
I've been hoping and, indeed, intending to incorporate the Lairig
Ghru, but I understand that that's considered to be a high level route
and therefore I would need to plan a low level alternative in case of
cruddy weather.

I can't actually see a low level alternative that doesn't involve an
enormous detour. Can anyone tell me whether there is one? If there
isn't then fair enough - I'll just go a different way this year:
maybe via Fort Augustus instead.

Thanks for any clarification!

In the Cairngorms, the Lairig Ghru IS the low-level route!

Seriously though, you should have no problem with this in what goes for
Summer these days. It may not be the best surfeced route in Scotland but
it's certainly one of the classics and it would be a shame to miss it out
(especially as it takes such a convenient route).

druidh

On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 21:26:27 +0000, Peewiglet <[email hidden]>
wrote:

Very many thanks to all who've replied with info and encouragement.
I've reinstated the Lairig Ghru on the route - thank you :-)

(Drat.... will have to run very fast past Ben MacDhui....! ;-)

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

"Peewiglet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm just wondering whether anyone can suggest a low level alternative
to the Lairig Ghru, as a route through the Cairngorms?

As mentioned before, I'm currently planning a route across Scotland.
I've been hoping and, indeed, intending to incorporate the Lairig
Ghru, but I understand that that's considered to be a high level route
and therefore I would need to plan a low level alternative in case of
cruddy weather.

I can't actually see a low level alternative that doesn't involve an
enormous detour. Can anyone tell me whether there is one? If there
isn't then fair enough - I'll just go a different way this year:
maybe via Fort Augustus instead.

Thanks for any clarification!

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

Cool trip ...I'm turning green with envy thinking about it...when are you
going?

Julie

I have walked the Lairig Ghru but I'm can't really give much advice about
it. I did it in the wee hours of the morning after running behind schedule.
The bouldery bits got a bit annoying at 2am but the midges don't come out to
play at that time of night so it wasn't all bad.

I guess the Lairig Ghru is a stiff walk for many people but no problem for
any regular hill walker.

Cheers, Jiffy

On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 23:34:15 +0000 (UTC), "Julie Meikle"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

Cool trip ...I'm turning green with envy thinking about it...when are you
going?

:-) On or about 7th May, I hope 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 23:34:15 +0000 (UTC), "Julie Meikle"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

Cool trip ...I'm turning green with envy thinking about it...when are you
going?

:-) On or about 7th May, I hope 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 22:38:04 +0000, Peewiglet <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 21:26:27 +0000, Peewiglet <[email hidden]>
wrote:

Very many thanks to all who've replied with info and encouragement.
I've reinstated the Lairig Ghru on the route - thank you :-)

(Drat.... will have to run very fast past Ben MacDhui....! ;-)

oh, no, no, no, l'il wiglet.... has no-one told you how l-o-n-g /his/
legs are???

suggest plan (b): practice being a weepossum and 'playing dead' when
/he/ appears

muahahahahaa!!

;-)

--
SteveO

SteveO said:

On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 22:38:04 +0000, Peewiglet <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 21:26:27 +0000, Peewiglet <[email hidden]>
wrote:

Very many thanks to all who've replied with info and encouragement.
I've reinstated the Lairig Ghru on the route - thank you :-)

(Drat.... will have to run very fast past Ben MacDhui....! ;-)

oh, no, no, no, l'il wiglet.... has no-one told you how l-o-n-g /his/
legs are???

<fx: PW's little snout begins to tremble...>

Quoted message said:

suggest plan (b): practice being a weepossum and 'playing dead' when
/he/ appears

muahahahahaa!!

<fx: wipes piggly little eyes and snout>

Quoted message said:

;-)

<fx: prepares voodoo doll named "SteveO" and advances pin...>

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

On Sat, 15 Jan 2005 21:14:48 +0000, Peewiglet <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

(Drat.... will have to run very fast past Ben MacDhui....! ;-)

oh, no, no, no, l'il wiglet.... has no-one told you how l-o-n-g /his/
legs are???

<fx: PW's little snout begins to tremble...>

Quoted message said:

suggest plan (b): practice being a weepossum and 'playing dead' when
/he/ appears

muahahahahaa!!

<fx: wipes piggly little eyes and snout>

Quoted message said:

;-)

<fx: prepares voodoo doll named "SteveO" and advances pin...>

<fx yeeouch!> why do gurls always stick pins /there/ when they play
with dolls?

/me rummages around in bag... nope not there.. checks bottom of
rucksac... nope... back of the drawer in the kitchen where everything
useful goes (never to be seen again usually).... ahAH! found it

<fx /me holds up crystal>

....y'know the one given me aeons ago by the Old Gypsy to fend off pin
attacks??

Safe now :-)

--
SteveO

Have you considered the parallel route of the Lairig an Laoigh (Pass of the
Calves) from Braemar/Linn of Dee branching off at Derry Lodge?

Quite a challenge when you reach the crossing of the River Avon though :-)

I led a group of friends on three or four years ago as part of a weekend
48-hour round from Linn of Deen north through the Lairig Ghru to Glenmore
Lodge (overnight) and back. About 36 miles in all but quite an experience.

Whichever route you decide to follow ... ENJOY!

--
Andy Crawford
www.chiadfhear.co.uk

Remove "my boots" to e-mail me

Andy Crawford said:

Have you considered the parallel route of the Lairig an Laoigh (Pass of the
Calves) from Braemar/Linn of Dee branching off at Derry Lodge?

I hadn't, but I'll take a look. Thanks 🙂

Quoted message said:

Quite a challenge when you reach the crossing of the River Avon though :-)

Uh-oh....

Quoted message said:

I led a group of friends on three or four years ago as part of a weekend
48-hour round from Linn of Deen north through the Lairig Ghru to Glenmore
Lodge (overnight) and back. About 36 miles in all but quite an experience.

Whichever route you decide to follow ... ENJOY!

Thank you 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

"Andy Crawford" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Have you considered the parallel route of the Lairig an Laoigh (Pass of

the

Quoted message said:

Calves) from Braemar/Linn of Dee branching off at Derry Lodge?

Quite a challenge when you reach the crossing of the River Avon though :-)

And lazing on the sandy shores of Loch Avon with trout(?) plopping here and
there whiling away an hour or so while your tent dries beats anything the
Lairig Ghru has to offer.

* The air of uk.rec.walking was filled with the delicate perfume
* of violets, as Andy Crawford <[email hidden]> descended on a
* shaft of golden sunlight, and announced:

Quoted message said:

Have you considered the parallel route of the Lairig an Laoigh (Pass of the
Calves) from Braemar/Linn of Dee branching off at Derry Lodge?

Quite a challenge when you reach the crossing of the River Avon though :-)

It can be very dodgy and you really want a companion on hand in case of
accidents when there's a lot of water coming down the Avon. Theoreticaly you
can boulder hop, but I've never had a dry crossing! The stretch between
Corrie Etchachan and Bynack More is also a bit dour for my taste.

Jim Ford

On 16 Jan 2005 22:44:17 GMT, Jim Ford <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

* The air of uk.rec.walking was filled with the delicate perfume
* of violets, as Andy Crawford <[email hidden]> descended on a
* shaft of golden sunlight, and announced:

Quoted message said:

Have you considered the parallel route of the Lairig an Laoigh (Pass of the
Calves) from Braemar/Linn of Dee branching off at Derry Lodge?

Quite a challenge when you reach the crossing of the River Avon though :-)

It can be very dodgy and you really want a companion on hand in case of
accidents when there's a lot of water coming down the Avon. Theoreticaly you
can boulder hop, but I've never had a dry crossing! The stretch between
Corrie Etchachan and Bynack More is also a bit dour for my taste.

Interesting - thanks. Since the river's dodgy for a solo walker I'll
probably give it a miss: wet toes are really yukky, and drowning is
particularly bad news! 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

"Peewiglet" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It can be very dodgy and you really want a companion on hand in case of
accidents when there's a lot of water coming down the Avon. Theoreticaly

you

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

can boulder hop, but I've never had a dry crossing! The stretch between
Corrie Etchachan and Bynack More is also a bit dour for my taste.

Quoted message said:

Interesting - thanks. Since the river's dodgy for a solo walker I'll
probably give it a miss: wet toes are really yukky, and drowning is
particularly bad news! 🙂

I'm sure it can be dodgy (like when there's lots of melting snow) but it was
safely below my knees when I was there and that must have been after a bit
of rain because I stopped by the loch to dry my tent out and I'd had
constantly wet feet from the wet ground that morning and the previous
evening.