5 Cairngorm Ridges
The Cairngorms offer much scope for linking remote rock climbs and mountains in a continuous run, and many such expeditions have been made. In August 1960 Derek Pyper and Davie Reid combined Eagle Ridge (Lochnagar), Mitre Ridge (Beinn a'Bhuird) and Snake Ridge (Beinn Macdui) in 16 and a half hours, starting at Gelder Shiel and finishing at Derry Lodge. Malcolm McArthur and Sandy Paine subsequently added Sphinx Ridge (Braeriach) and Roberts Ridge (Sgoran Dubh Mor) in a two day trip. Summits were included in the itineraries.
With these pioneering expeditions as inspiration, Andy Nisbet and Charlie McLeod linked all 5 ridges in 13 and a half hours. This 37 mile (9000 feet of ascent) trip was undertaken on 21st June 1984. They soloed the climbs (which are all of "Severe" standard) and experienced some nasty weather on the tops, though no effort was made to take in the summits [Ref: SMCJ 1985 no.176].
Andy Nisbet & Charlie McLeod - 21 Jun 1984
| Location | Time | Split |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle Ridge (b) | - | - |
| Eagle Ridge (t) | 0:29 | 0:29 |
| Invercauld Bridge | 1:45 | 1:16 |
| Mitre Ridge (b) | 4:30 | 2:45 |
| Mitre Ridge (t) | 5:15 | 0:45 |
| Hutchison Hut (arr) | 6:38 | 1:23 |
| Hutchison Hut (dep) | 8:05 | 1:27 |
| Snake Ridge (b) | 8:50 | 0:45 |
| Snake Ridge (t) | 9:10 | 0:20 |
| Garbh Coire Bothy | 10:30 | 1:20 |
| Sphinx Ridge (b) | 11:20 | 0:50 |
| Sphinx Ridge (t) | 12:00 | 0:40 |
| Roberts Ridge (b) | 13:00 | 1:00 |
| Roberts Ridge (t) | 13:30 | 0:30 |
| Coylumbridge | 15:00 | 1:30 |
Shorter and less technical trips in the same vein are possible. The triple "V.Diff." combination of Savage Slit, Cairngorm, Squareface, Beinn a'Bhuird, Hanging Dyke, and Ben Macdui, starting and finishing at the Coire Cas Carpark, at 26 miles (7,500 feet of ascent) is a recommended "marathon with a difference".