Day 6: Coignafearn Ruins to Aviemore
I was glad that the wind had calmed down that morning and it was fairly sunny.
The first part of the journey required crossing the Allt a' Mhuilinn. I eventually figured out that I had to go through a gate, and alongside the river to the north for a while before it became possible to ford it. This lead to a hidden path on the opposide side, going south, which went back past the gate (now on the opposite side).
Following the track for a few kilometres was possible, despite it not being marked on the OS maps. Possibly I could have followed it all the way to Red Roof Bothy but I was not sure. I decided to stick to the plan and followed a dried-out river bed up the side of Carn Caol.
After climbing a considerable amount over rough ground to reach a track, which then descended for a while and then went northeast, on the level, I eventually reached Red Roof Bothy. The inside was quant, with the rocking chairs and fire place. I noted from the log that the two Americans had stayed there the night before and there was also an entry from another challenger.
Following northeast from there and then crossing a bridge led me to a long southeasterly path which climbed quite a lot before reaching a saddle point south of Gael Charn-Baeg. During the climb I noticed the Belgians, about 30 minutes ahead, but I didn't see them again that day. Following my planned route, roughly north from an epitaph, I followed an OS-maps path, which turned out to be non existent, to the east side of Gael Charn-Baeg. Then I went due east, downhill, to attempt to reach Milton Burn. This turned out to be difficult due to the terrain (including bogs) but eventually I found a deer fence and a ladder, which led to a few kms of tracks and further deer fences through the forest, eventually entering Aviemore from the northwest into a new housing development.
I stayed at the High Range Motel that night - a bit expensive but with decent facilities and nice rooms. The curry (Royal India) was also quite good. I saw the Americans there, who had picked up some fish and chips, and a number of other challengers eating outside the fish and chip place.
I realised that Aviemore was likely to be my last proper resupply, so I bought five days worth of food (porridge sachets, dates, mars bars and freeze-dried meals).
The first part of the journey required crossing the Allt a' Mhuilinn. I eventually figured out that I had to go through a gate, and alongside the river to the north for a while before it became possible to ford it. This lead to a hidden path on the opposide side, going south, which went back past the gate (now on the opposite side).
Following the track for a few kilometres was possible, despite it not being marked on the OS maps. Possibly I could have followed it all the way to Red Roof Bothy but I was not sure. I decided to stick to the plan and followed a dried-out river bed up the side of Carn Caol.
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| My route up on to Carn Caol |
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| Some cracked egg shells and rabbit/hare droppings on a rock near the top. |
After climbing a considerable amount over rough ground to reach a track, which then descended for a while and then went northeast, on the level, I eventually reached Red Roof Bothy. The inside was quant, with the rocking chairs and fire place. I noted from the log that the two Americans had stayed there the night before and there was also an entry from another challenger.
 |
| Red Roof Bothy |
Following northeast from there and then crossing a bridge led me to a long southeasterly path which climbed quite a lot before reaching a saddle point south of Gael Charn-Baeg. During the climb I noticed the Belgians, about 30 minutes ahead, but I didn't see them again that day. Following my planned route, roughly north from an epitaph, I followed an OS-maps path, which turned out to be non existent, to the east side of Gael Charn-Baeg. Then I went due east, downhill, to attempt to reach Milton Burn. This turned out to be difficult due to the terrain (including bogs) but eventually I found a deer fence and a ladder, which led to a few kms of tracks and further deer fences through the forest, eventually entering Aviemore from the northwest into a new housing development.
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| Forest track northwest of Aviemore |
I stayed at the High Range Motel that night - a bit expensive but with decent facilities and nice rooms. The curry (Royal India) was also quite good. I saw the Americans there, who had picked up some fish and chips, and a number of other challengers eating outside the fish and chip place.
I realised that Aviemore was likely to be my last proper resupply, so I bought five days worth of food (porridge sachets, dates, mars bars and freeze-dried meals).
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