A challenging climb with challenging weather
We parked just off the A86 on the Aviemore side of the river bridge thinking that there was a foot bridge leading to the track and footpath (as the OS map suggested). There is a convenient parking area next to the cemetary with access to the river. In the end we worked our way back to the roadbridge, across the river and started walking up towards a white house with a pedestrian access as shown below, working round the equestrian areana and behind (above) the house to pick up the path.
A good track proceeds up hill and through a large gate. 5 minutes after the gate there is a left turning in the woodland which is easy to miss (we did!):
Once on the correct track we proceeded through moor woodland with amazingly knarled trees, covered with lichens (apparently a sign of clean, unpoluted air).
The terrain then became more open, with some very steep scrambles up slippery rocks. The gradient was steep for an hour or so, but then levelled out and the summit could be seen ahead.
The ground became increasingly snow-covered but the heather cover kept the paths walkable to avoid any slips. Note that this moorland harbours ticks, and even in chilly April my XYL found a tick when we returned later. Once at the summit the wind was fierce and unrelenting, and I just could not get my Sotapole stable enough to support my bandhopper inverted Vee. I resorted to supporting the dipole centre on top of the summit cairn with a boulder and pegging the ends as far away as I could... the antenna was hardly a metre above the ground.
I was planning 20m, 40m and 2m calls, but given the circumstances just put a spot and CQ call out on 20m and managed 5 QSOs to activate the summit. Reception was weak and required headphones to copy, but amazingly included 2 S2S QSOs (Italy and Germany).
The weather was worstening so I packed up and headed back (cautiously due to the gradient and slippery rocks half way down).
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