Cairngorm/Ben Macdui
The out and back trip over these two hills (climbing Cairngorm twice), starting and finishing at Glenmore Lodge is 18 miles (4,750 feet of ascent). Mel Edwards (paced by Dave Armitage) ran 2 hours 30 mins 53 secs on 13th September 1980. [Ref. CCJ no.99 1983].
It's not known if anyone attempted the route in the years that followed, but this time was surpassed by Paul Raistrick, who ran 2 hours 20 mins 54 secs on 19th October 2007. He ran solo and unsupported. He records that his run was in "light wind and thin cloud and dry under foot. Excellent running conditions."
The schedule was as follows:
Paul Raistrick — 19 Oct 2007
| Location | Time | Split |
|---|---|---|
| Glenmore Lodge | — | — |
| Cairngorm | 0:50 | 0:50 |
| Ben Macdui | 1:22 | 0:32 |
| Cairngorm | 1:52 | 0:30 |
| Glenmore Lodge | 2:20:54 | 0:29 |
Since then, Paul (who has run Macdui many times in winter over last few years) has clocked a winter 'round' at 3 hours 9 mins 57 secs and sent us this summary and splits:
_Summary:
Solo / unsupported
Running Conditions: Excellent on rime / Slow on soft slab
Surface Conditions: 100% snow cover (3-15cm new snow / soft slab over neve / rime / base on plateau snow pack 1-2m)
Overhead Conditions: clear
Foot Penetration: <1cm (30% rime areas) c15cm (70% hard slab areas)
Wind: 10-15mph westerly / light spin drift
Temp: -6 at 900m
Start Glenmore lodge: 0745hrs
c5min time lost faffing....in firmer snow another 30mins will come off this._
Paul Raistrick — 7 Jan 2011
| Location | Time | Split |
|---|---|---|
| Glenmore Lodge | - | - |
| Cairngorm | 1:09 | 1:09 |
| Ben Macdui | 2:02 | 0:53 |
| Cairngorm | 2:41 | 0:39 |
| Glenmore Lodge | 3:09:57 | 0:29 |
Page updated 13th May 2012