30/12/07 Peter
100th point! ran up here from glen more via the chalamain gap and braeriach on a clear sunday morning. brilliant run although i kept getting strange and disapproving looks from over dressed walkers- not a breath of wind at the top so it was warm in the sunshine. ran down the same way but went above the gap this time due to icy conditions. just under 5 hours for the trip although much time was spent taking photos, gawping at the views and getting past the road block!!!
15/12/07 Dave, Kathy and Gary
Finally made it up here for my 100th point. A great place to finish the Challenge. We followed Derek and Evelyn's route, biking up Glen Einich then setting off up the path towards Coire Dhondail. Decided after a short while that paths are for wimps, so went straight up by the second stream we crossed to the top of Einich Cairn. Only half the distance of the path route, but consequently twice as steep. Kathy hadn't had enough breakfast and ran out of energy half way up, making it even more of a challenge. There was cloud spilling over the cliffs at the south end of the loch, but the sky was clear to the east. Fortunately it stayed that way, and we eventually got to the top to see a great expanse of white snow stretching out to Braeriach and over the Lairig Ghru to Ben Macdui. The Wells themselves were frozen over, but we found an icy patch and decided that was good enough.
Had a very, very small sip of whisky to celebrate. Gary jumped over the river Dee, not something many of us have achieved. Went back the same way, then had a fun bike ride back. Took about 5 hours 30 altogether. A good expedition.
2/10/2007 Karen
Made it before the clocks changed. It's a long way from the Linn of Dee there and back and had to run most of it to get back before school finished. Chose one of the best days of the year- not a cloud in the sky. Went alone and nothing to put the camera on so dreadful self portrait!
Click for map
03/08/07 Evelyn and Derek
Sorely wounded by our failure to add Wells of Dee to our outing to the Devil's Point in May, we decided to give it another go - this time from Coylumbridge (hope that doesn't put us out of bounds).
We cycled in through Glen Einach towards the Loch. Although we managed to pick a reasonably dry day it was very windy with a strong headwind on the way in - so strong there were waves on the puddles in the track and several times we were almost brought to a halt as we turned a corner and took the full brunt.
At NH920 000 you reach a path leading up to Coire Dhondail. The path is nicely marked with a pile of stones which also formed a nice shelter - which we managed to reach just before two German walkers. They were interested in our Challenge and amazed at the climb we were about to undertake (rising from 500 to about 1200). They reckoned on 300 mtrs climb per hour - later we were able to confirm to ourselves that Deeside Runners can do better than 500 mtrs.
After a short lunch we tackled the climb - much easier than from the Lairig side but still an effort with some narrow sections - our new walking sticks making things a bit easier.
Over the top of the Coire and look for a route to the Wells - there isn't one. Fallback on the GPS and head off upwards (obviously). Eventually we get over onto the flattish area of the Wells and commence the search for the Wells themselves. Expecting at least some ponds we realised we'd have to make do with some water seeping out of the ground.
Its blowing hard up here so no time to dawdle - take in Einach Cairn for good measure and head down again.
Lovely view on the way back down looking back up Glen Einach
Back at the bikes, its shelter and food time again. It took 1:30 minutes to come in and we're expecting a bit of a slog back out. However now the wind is in our favour. Got on the bikes and didn't pedal for about the first mile. Great fun coming out in 40 minutes.
Finally made it up here for my 100th point. A great place to finish the Challenge. We followed Derek and Evelyn's route, biking up Glen Einich then setting off up the path towards Coire Dhondail. Decided after a short while that paths are for wimps, so went straight up by the second stream we crossed to the top of Einich Cairn. Only half the distance of the path route, but consequently twice as steep. Kathy hadn't had enough breakfast and ran out of energy half way up, making it even more of a challenge. There was cloud spilling over the cliffs at the south end of the loch, but the sky was clear to the east. Fortunately it stayed that way, and we eventually got to the top to see a great expanse of white snow stretching out to Braeriach and over the Lairig Ghru to Ben Macdui. The Wells themselves were frozen over, but we found an icy patch and decided that was good enough.
Had a very, very small sip of whisky to celebrate. Gary jumped over the river Dee, not something many of us have achieved. Went back the same way, then had a fun bike ride back. Took about 5 hours 30 altogether. A good expedition.2/10/2007 Karen
Made it before the clocks changed. It's a long way from the Linn of Dee there and back and had to run most of it to get back before school finished. Chose one of the best days of the year- not a cloud in the sky. Went alone and nothing to put the camera on so dreadful self portrait!
Click for map
03/08/07 Evelyn and Derek
Sorely wounded by our failure to add Wells of Dee to our outing to the Devil's Point in May, we decided to give it another go - this time from Coylumbridge (hope that doesn't put us out of bounds).
We cycled in through Glen Einach towards the Loch. Although we managed to pick a reasonably dry day it was very windy with a strong headwind on the way in - so strong there were waves on the puddles in the track and several times we were almost brought to a halt as we turned a corner and took the full brunt.
At NH920 000 you reach a path leading up to Coire Dhondail. The path is nicely marked with a pile of stones which also formed a nice shelter - which we managed to reach just before two German walkers. They were interested in our Challenge and amazed at the climb we were about to undertake (rising from 500 to about 1200). They reckoned on 300 mtrs climb per hour - later we were able to confirm to ourselves that Deeside Runners can do better than 500 mtrs.
After a short lunch we tackled the climb - much easier than from the Lairig side but still an effort with some narrow sections - our new walking sticks making things a bit easier.
Over the top of the Coire and look for a route to the Wells - there isn't one. Fallback on the GPS and head off upwards (obviously). Eventually we get over onto the flattish area of the Wells and commence the search for the Wells themselves. Expecting at least some ponds we realised we'd have to make do with some water seeping out of the ground.
Its blowing hard up here so no time to dawdle - take in Einach Cairn for good measure and head down again.Lovely view on the way back down looking back up Glen Einach
Back at the bikes, its shelter and food time again. It took 1:30 minutes to come in and we're expecting a bit of a slog back out. However now the wind is in our favour. Got on the bikes and didn't pedal for about the first mile. Great fun coming out in 40 minutes.
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