You are a really gutsy competitor! We did this walk in June 06 but from Derry Lodge to Pools of Dee first Day and then Coylumbridge to Pools of Dee 2nd day. No camping. The boulder field really really sucked I agree. But the moodiness, the eeriness of the Lairig is incredible. Next time I do it, I intend to take an MTB past Derry Lodge and park it just before that gate that is the real start of the walk. Also, it really needs to be done in high summer and good weather. But thank you very much for sharing a fascinating experience with us and I hope you ended up none the worse for wear.
extremely lucky to have arrived at the bothy and managed to get the place to yourself normaly cant evan get in these days.20 years back a different story so always count on having to camp and your lucky being up there without a map and compuss and a non working stove as the weather is famouse for catching people out up there thankfully you didnt get pinned down for a few days and made it back safe with a few lessons learned
Well though you had something of a ‘baptism by fire’ you made it and recorded it and the fact you shared it will be useful to anyone considering attempting it. Having done the walk a few times in all weathers I can vouch for how much of a challenge it is particularly as the weather worsens. Whilst at the highest point of the pass you are still surrounded by much higher mountains so it may seem you haven’t gained a lot of height but you have and if the wind is whistling through the pass and particularly if you are heading into the wind and it’s snowing on already fallen snow then you can be truly up against it. Regarding your movie making, wind noise can be a real problem. Some folk will use a muffled mic and this can help quite a bit. So video camera’s have a feature to help minimise noise. Keep the camera moving slowly especially on panning round. Edit out any quick panning as it is pretty much useless and only serves to make the viewer feel giddy. When all is said and done this is a useful video and offers a good warning to anyone new to mountain walking. I hope it hasn’t put you off future walks. Look forward to the next vid. Well done.
Wow! That was such a great video. We’re visiting the cairngorms in May and are keen to walk this pass. Thank you for sharing your experience - I think this was a valuable safety warning to walkers like us who are looking to grow in confidence on the hills. I hope you’re planning more walks.
He had no map(?!?) and relied on his phone (I'll bet he doesn't know about battery internal resistance and cold); he doesn't know the name of the bothy he stays at; dressed inappropriately (he got lucky with the weather); no idea of the effort involved and physically incapable of it (he should have made it to the Linn of Dee in the time he took to get to Corrour); didn't test his equipment beforehand (the stove); clearly borderline hypothermic in the bothy at the eleven minute mark; has absolutely zero idea of the distances involved; he even thinks the pass is at a thousand metres which shows his ignorance of his route. I've been across the Lairig Ghru, the Minigaig, the Lairig an Laoigh and more numerous times and I wouldn't take ha;f the risks this reckless guy did. It meshes with his interest in bitcoin I guess. Even in October the Lairig Ghru is dangerous. It can kill you. Don't be like this guy. Assume you'll get injured at the worst point (the Pools of Dee) and carry sufficient clothes to survive outside overnight, as well as ready-to-eat food, a map and compass, a whistle and a torch (NOT your phone torch! Too weak and you'll need the battery).
You are a really gutsy competitor! We did this walk in June 06 but from Derry Lodge to Pools of Dee first Day and then Coylumbridge to Pools of Dee 2nd day. No camping. The boulder field really really sucked I agree. But the moodiness, the eeriness of the Lairig is incredible. Next time I do it, I intend to take an MTB past Derry Lodge and park it just before that gate that is the real start of the walk. Also, it really needs to be done in high summer and good weather. But thank you very much for sharing a fascinating experience with us and I hope you ended up none the worse for wear.
extremely lucky to have arrived at the bothy and managed to get the place to yourself normaly cant evan get in these days.20 years back a different story so always count on having to camp and your lucky being up there without a map and compuss and a non working stove as the weather is famouse for catching people out up there thankfully you didnt get pinned down for a few days and made it back safe with a few lessons learned
Great vid and great information about the trek you should give yer self a pat on the back your experience I’m hopping to do this in summer 2023
Well though you had something of a ‘baptism by fire’ you made it and recorded it and the fact you shared it will be useful to anyone considering attempting it. Having done the walk a few times in all weathers I can vouch for how much of a challenge it is particularly as the weather worsens. Whilst at the highest point of the pass you are still surrounded by much higher mountains so it may seem you haven’t gained a lot of height but you have and if the wind is whistling through the pass and particularly if you are heading into the wind and it’s snowing on already fallen snow then you can be truly up against it. Regarding your movie making, wind noise can be a real problem. Some folk will use a muffled mic and this can help quite a bit. So video camera’s have a feature to help minimise noise. Keep the camera moving slowly especially on panning round. Edit out any quick panning as it is pretty much useless and only serves to make the viewer feel giddy. When all is said and done this is a useful video and offers a good warning to anyone new to mountain walking. I hope it hasn’t put you off future walks. Look forward to the next vid. Well done.
Wow! That was such a great video. We’re visiting the cairngorms in May and are keen to walk this pass. Thank you for sharing your experience - I think this was a valuable safety warning to walkers like us who are looking to grow in confidence on the hills. I hope you’re planning more walks.
We are planning this walk in one day going in opposite direction in May 23
He had no map(?!?) and relied on his phone (I'll bet he doesn't know about battery internal resistance and cold); he doesn't know the name of the bothy he stays at; dressed inappropriately (he got lucky with the weather); no idea of the effort involved and physically incapable of it (he should have made it to the Linn of Dee in the time he took to get to Corrour); didn't test his equipment beforehand (the stove); clearly borderline hypothermic in the bothy at the eleven minute mark; has absolutely zero idea of the distances involved; he even thinks the pass is at a thousand metres which shows his ignorance of his route.
I've been across the Lairig Ghru, the Minigaig, the Lairig an Laoigh and more numerous times and I wouldn't take ha;f the risks this reckless guy did. It meshes with his interest in bitcoin I guess.
Even in October the Lairig Ghru is dangerous. It can kill you. Don't be like this guy. Assume you'll get injured at the worst point (the Pools of Dee) and carry sufficient clothes to survive outside overnight, as well as ready-to-eat food, a map and compass, a whistle and a torch (NOT your phone torch! Too weak and you'll need the battery).
excellent, well done, on our way follow your footsteps in a few weeks :-)
how did the walk go for you?
Try doing that so unprepared in the winter and you could be dead. Hope you have learned your lessons now.