© Copyright Dominic Rhodes 2014-2017

Cairn Gorm Mountain from Coire an Lochain. This route follows the middle ridge to the top.

 

Meaning - Blue Mountain

Summit Location - NJ00516, 04060

Height - 1245m

Munro Number - 6

 

Distance - 6.76km

Total Ascent - 634m

Estimated Time - 5hrs + Time at Ptarmigan (Beginner).

Difficulty - 2/5

OS Explorer Map - OL57

 

Climbed - 2006

Weather - Light snow when setting off, deteriorating to blizzard conditions in late afternoon and continuing overnight. Cloud covered summit on day two, gradually lifting to reveal sunnier skies.

 

For a mountain of it's size (6th highest in Scotland), Cairn Gorm is deceptively easy to climb. A combination of a high car park (640m) and well trodden footpaths through the ski area make reaching the summit a realistic possibility for people of most abilities in decent conditions.

 

In the winter two of the northern corries are given up to skiers in what is Scotland's busiest ski resort. On the summit is a weather station where winds of up to 180mph have been recorded, and temperatures in the region of -5 to -10 c are not uncommon in the winter.

 

This is the easiest route up the mountain and follows a ski and walkers path up via Fiacaill a Choire Cas,  then drops down from the summit to a path via the Ptarmigan restaurant and then follows the edge of a ski track back to the car park.

 

I’d tried this route a couple of months beforehand, and had to turn back due to poor conditions. This time we planned a wild camp on the plateau, to get a feel for the remoteness of the mountain. The weather forecast was poor but we were ready for it.

 

As we hit the plateau and were busily striking camp blizzard conditions were setting in, as you’ll see in the photo gallery below. A warm but noisy night followed, with the wind really howling.

 

Our high camp at least meant an early visit to the summit and the down to the Ptarmigan cafe for brunch. I recommend the soup and hot chocolate!

 

NOTE: Walkers considering using the funicular up the mountain should note that their is no access outside from the top station (other than the enclosed terrace). Also it is not possible to buy a ticket down to the car park from the top station, although walkers are welcome to use the bar and cafe.

 

Route

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 - Start at the Coire Cas car park. Follow the large ski track for around 500m until you get to the halfway station.

 

2 - Follow the track through a series of bends until NH 9952, 0495 when a smaller track branches right from the main track and heads directly up the ridge.

 

3 - This track steepens after 500m as you begin climbing the ridge. Take care not to venture too far towards the sleep crags on the left. After another 500m you will reach a large cairn (1141m, NH 9989, 0398).

 

4 - The terrain eases for a while as you bear east to head for the summit. However after around 200m you will notice it starts to get steep again for the short climb to the summit.

 

5 - At the summit there is a weather station and transmitter. Take some time to admire the view (if you’re lucky!) and then descend to the north on the well marked path to the Ptarmigan restaurant.

 

6 - After refreshments descend via the large ski access track which leads back to the car park.

 

 

 

Cairn Gorm

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