 Hi all, Me and the missus have booked a few days in Applecross and then across to the Cairngorms for a couple of nights. However, disaster strikes, well not quite. The missus has a back issue and is having some scans this week. She's still able to walk and is very fit, however she cannot do long up hill slogs (I've heard some elaborate excuses in my time but this takes the biscuit!!). Something to do with the position of her back when going uphill. So I'm now re-planning what routes we can and will do. Ideally we will be looking for some coastal walks, and routes that start up high and don't involve too much uphill plodding. She is able to do gentle scrambles and a little bit of uphill but we have to be careful. She aslo feels that she is able to do a bit of a tough walk with a decent break and then a little more but I'm sure she is just saying this to keep me happy. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I really want to make this an enjoyable break for her and she is getting so frustrated with this issue. She loves river walks and waterfalls so if any of you know anything that may include these. Cheers in advance.
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 There are plenty cracking long routes in the Cairngorms that are 'relatively' flat. Any of the passes can be combined to give circular loops. Upper Glen Feshie is a favourite area of mine. I can sympathise with your partner. I've had similar problems. The angle of the slope can have a huge effect on the pain level.
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| Edited: 04/05/11 12:52 |
 If she wants to get up to the tops there's always the train at Cairngorm.
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getting the train was mentioned but it would feel so so wrong.
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 Easy - she takes the train, you walk, meet at the top 
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Nice idea Kate, but I wont be suggesting that to my better half 
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 I didn't think you were allowed out of the top station if you go up on the train?
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 You are allowed out, but you are not supposed to then go walking away from specified areas. As MfD states there is lots to do without requiring too much climbing, look at any of the long distance paths. There is probably loads around Tomintoul once you are up on the moor, Fort William to Spean Bridge along the valleys. I sometimes think that with our (my) desire to climb up everything in sight I miss out on some great walks. Steve D
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 Applecross.
Low level. -Try the walk to Uags bothy at the southern end of the Applecross peninsular - but only if the rivers are not in spate as there is one crossing which would then be difficult. You would have somewhere to sit and rest in shelter at the bothy if needed. The walk is pleasant but not 'spectacular'. You must be careful to follow the cairns veering off to the left about a third of the way along or it gets 'a bit boggy' !!
High level. -A walk from the top of 'The pass of the cattle' would be flattish with spectacular views but only suitable for good clear weather. I'm sure if you search you should find info. on the net about routes from this pass.
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| Edited: 04/05/11 17:06 |
You are allowed out, but you are not supposed to then go walking away from specified areas.
This taken from http://www.cairngormmountain.co.uk/ 2 minutes ago: "We are now back to a Summer operation and it is not possible to go out on to the mountain from the Ptarmigan building at the top of the railway, as the Visitor Management Plan is back in place.
We have now started our summer ranger guided walks and are delighted to be able to offer the "Walk@TheTop" again this summer - A guided walk from the funicular to the summit of Cairngorm" So the commercial guided walk is the only way to get out....
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There is a nice coastal walk from Lower Diabaig (take the road west from Torridon) to Redpoint. There is even a bothy half way should a wee rest (or a break from rain/midges ) be needed. In the Cairngorms some of the most spectacular walking is to be found relatively low in remnants of the caledonian pine forest. There are fine walks through Rothimurchus and on to Loch an Eilean. As MfD said Glen Feshie is very nice. A bit further away but you could get the train from Fersit to Corrour and walk back out through the hills. A bit of up and down but you would start higher than where you finish.
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Thanks a lot for all the pointers guys. Great reports and pictures by Kinley, its got me really excited to get up there again now!! Can't believe that about the Cairngorms train as I mentioned the idea to the boss and she quite liked it. However, if you look at Snowdon and how annoying it is that you see hundreds of people up there who've caught the train I can understand the reasoning. @ Steve_D: I'm just like yourself, always want to climb up the highest things I can see, but recently with Mrs. Friend being restrained to low level stuff I have seem some incredible walks. Done a lot more in the Peaks through various valleys and Dales and our trips to the lakes have produced some great walks that I wouldn't have even looked at. I'll be sitting down in the next few days with a map and GPS and working out some nice routes for our trip, all the input here has been really helpful.
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You are allowed out, but you are not supposed to then go walking away from specified areas.
This taken from http://www.cairngormmountain.co.uk/ 2 minutes ago: "We are now back to a Summer operation and it is not possible to go out on to the mountain from the Ptarmigan building at the top of the railway, as the Visitor Management Plan is back in place.
We have now started our summer ranger guided walks and are delighted to be able to offer the "Walk@TheTop" again this summer - A guided walk from the funicular to the summit of Cairngorm" So the commercial guided walk is the only way to get out....
Err no. Last time i was up there I approached by walking up from corie cas and arrived on the side of the building which had the viewing area. I thought it would be easy to climb over the railings, but it was even easier to open the unlocked gate and walk in. having briefly sampled the delights of the rather naf displays in the basement, and the gift shop and restaurant (without buying anything) i left by the same method I entered. Walking round the back i came across a door which had a notice telling me to ring the bell for access, and sign in as only those who had signed in would be allowed out. Its all a load of bunkum of course. They can't afford to employ security staff to stop people escaping through the viewing area and i doubt whether they want to, because if people do use the railway to gain the plateau its all more money in their pockets, money which is needed to reduce the debt on this farcical project.
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Ok, I was just about to post again with the same question and realised I have asked before. The above trip never happened, Mrs. Friend was really bad and had to have more tests. Turns out she has Spinal Osteoarthritis, at 28!!! So we didn't make Scotland. However, we are going up in 2 weeks time, this time for two weeks. We rearranged our stay at Applecross, then we'll drive down to Mull for 2 nights (got a great hotel deal) and then we have another week with no plans. Obviously, we have to take things easy because of her back but she is keen to keep active and do some gentler walks. What we're trying to do is get a load of ideas for different walks and things that don't involve too much excercise, giving us options. So I ask of you all again, any ideas. We're looking for walks and day trips all over Scotland. After Mull we'd like to head in the direction of Aberdeen to visit friends, and then Edinburgh, so anywhere within that big triangle is accessible. We've also got a nice new car so are actually looking forward to doing some big scenic drives. Looking forward to your ideas folks.
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