Fatigue / Exhaustion

Sunday morning. Alarm 6:30. Leave house 7:30. Drive - 1.5 hours. Bike - 1 hour. Walk 2 hours.

If my maths isn't shit, we reached the crag (Coire Sputan Dearg) at about midday. Clear skies and a howling wind, perfect conditions for mountain routes. On the approach we were checking out the pools in the burn, complete with jacuzzi bubbles, water slides and sunshine.

By the time we had geared up and crossed the snowpatch (fortunately snow soft enough to step kick in hiking boots) the weather was threatening; high clouds had blocked the sun and low clouds were building in the valley. 3 pitches of great climbing up the Grey Slab (HS) brought us to a spectacular belay with a view for miles. Rowie lead off the chimney pitch (a challenge to get into) and as she was setting up belay the rain started. Then stopped. Then started again. By the time I got to the top it was raining proper, so raincoats and hiking boots on, followed by a slow and circuitous route down a snowy gully. and back to the bags. Repeat of the process in reverse home (the last mile on tarmac was by far the worst), fish and chips in Braemar, and home by 9:30.

Was it worth it? Most definitely. Do it again? Not tomorrow.

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