Orion M.C.

John and I went up to Braemar on Friday night. Had a couple of pints in the Fife Arms before kipping in the Braemar Lodge bunkhouse (pretty luxurious for £13 a night). Due to the terrible weather forecast we got up pretty early (for Orion standards) with the plan of missing the worst of the bad weather. We set off on our bikes from Linn O’Dee at about 8.30am. Our plan seemed to work for the first couple of hours, as we had a nice cycle up the glens to the foot of the hill. There were a couple of small river/stream crossings on the way but – on the way in – nothing too dramatic? We then waded through the main river at the Geldie Lodge, before heading up An Sgarsoch and then Carn an Fhidhleir.

As we were in thick cloud for the majority of the walk, there was nothing too much to write home about. As forecasted, the winds and rain did pick up (to about 75 mph?) which did make for interesting walking on the summits.

Once we got back to our bikes we were already drenched but it was evident at this point that it was going to be an interesting cycle back to the car. The majority of the landrover track was covered in water and it was great fun splashing through all the puddles!!! There was an interesting moment, however, half way along the track. We got our feet wet crossing one of the streams in the way in and I certainly hadn’t thought ahead at how bad it might get after a day of torrential rain? It was bad. Imagine waist high, white water, whilst carrying a bike and rucsac . Unfortunately I was too scared to take photos.

… a rewarding, yet challenging couple of bags! Well done John for conquering your last hills in the Cairngorm.

Pleasant river crossing at Geldie Lodge in the morning


John making friends with the estate ponies


John wondering up to Geldie Lodge

We were driving over Glen Shee (not far from you) about 1pm that day and the weather was terrible...rather you than me out on the hill in that I was much more comfortable...arrived at my mates house in Ballater about 2pm, after stopping off at the supermarket for booze, and within 10mins of arriving had a large whisky in my hand

Oh, and Gordy...what sort of gadget do use for measuring windspeed...you always seem to know how strong it is If it was 75mph, all I would know is that I would be flat on my back

I think John said that on the summit....'if Scott was here, he would be flat on his back.... he could never handle these 75mph winds'.....

Yeah I'm a big pussy

Judging by the forecast I think we're in for a soaking on Thursday night walking into the bothy, and the next day doesn't look any better for going up the hill

Thanks for acompanying me again Gordon. That was the dodgiest river crossing I've ever done and one of the wetest days I've ever had up the hills too. Never the less I thoroughly enjoyed it.


John