I had looked into the pass about 2 weeks ago while ski touring to Ben Macdui and there had been plenty of cover then, looked rideable all the way from where I was. The warm weather meant that most of the coverage had gone lower down, so the initial trek past the Rothiemurchus lodge was through horrendous bog, any one who has been there will know what I mean >:(. Just past the junction with the path for Braeriach the snow firmed up a bit and was for the most part quite rideable. I was using the HuDus and have to say that the rolling resistance was pretty harsh, even on the flat it was almost easier to walk, given the conditions I think the Endos would have had plenty of grip. I may have to rethink the tyre choice for what I want the bike for.....
As I set off a little late I was at the top of the pass at around dusk, amazing light as the sun caught the rim of the glen, and as the temp dropped the snow firmed up really well at this altitude.
looking up the glen towards the Pools of Dee.
At the top of the pass, looking toward Rothiemurchus.
At the top, looking down to the bothy, the large peak is the Devils Point.
Once over the high point it was (mainly) downhill all the way to the bothy, however as I got lower down the snow softened as this side of the glen is a fair bit lower than the other, also there was a lot of heather showing, which warms up in the sun, making the snow pack even softer. Also as it was dark by now it was fun trying to pick a way through the snow packs while avoiding being drawn to the burn and a probable dunking!! I arrived at the bothy around 19.30 to find one other guy in there, actually in his bag already. A meal and a chat saw me asleep by around 21.00 :D the sky was vaguely exciting when I went out for the call of nature in he early hours, incredibly clear(and cold)
Following day dawned sunny and bright once again, not a breath of wind or cloud in the sky
bothy view, looking down the return route. Plenty of heather showing this side :(
Crossing the bridge over the Dee.
A fair bit of walking on the way up as riding between the patches of snow was really time consuming, much easier on foot.
Once into the glen proper I was able to ride for the most part again, but those damn tyres were hard work :'(
apretty quick descent to the junction with Braeriach and it was back to the slog out to the lodge, of course this time I knew how painful it was gonna be.
Great trip, really fancy trying again when/if we get more snow, preferably as a round trip back thru Glen Derry.
