Sron an Aonaich - Cairngorm Traditional Cache
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Sron an Aonaich - Cairngorm
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache is within the Cairngorm ski area, just off a path which climbs steeply up the "Windy Ridge" from the car park en route for the summit of Cairngorm.
From the funicular car park, proceed past the train station and up the rough track between the buildings. Just near the phone box (a rare example these days!) there is a footpath that climbs up immediately left up past the small white weather station box. This is the Aonaich path which climbs steeply up the "nose" or Sron. In places this path is stepped and "paved" to prevent further erosion but soon even this is left behind on the open hillside. In winter, this path is often completely covered with snow and ice and is not visible. Ice axe and crampons are needed then. Fantastic views from this path are seen back down across Strathspey and Glenmore. As you get higher, and on a clear day, the view steadily opens up to the north until the Beauly Firth and beyond come into view.
The cache is at the obvious tor just off the path but is hidden so observers from the Ptarmigan restaurant can't see what you are up to! Just below the bigger tor, there is a smaller set of rocks with a small "cupboard" marked "Danger" on the door. This is a former explosives store when the ski runs were put in place.(The cache is not here!)
There is no need to overturn any rocks to find this cache.
The funicular railway runs over to the west of the path you will climb. Travellers going up on the train can go out onto a viewing terrace but are not allowed onto the mountain due to access agreements put in place to protect the environment beyond the summit - so no quick or easy access is available for walkers (or cachers) from the train. There are no such restrictions if you wish to walk up from the car park.
Walkers who have climbed up from the bottom may enter the funicular top station (for a cup of tea or use of the toilets) and can buy a ticket to travel down on the train.
After the cache, you can continue up to the Ptarmigan top station and onto the summit of Cairngorm, either from the direct path straight up from the top station, or around into the Ptarmigan "bowl" and up the Marquis' Well path which is slightly east of the direct route. Cairngorm itself has fantastic extensive views in good weather and is the fifth highest hill in Scotland at just over 4000 feet. However, in poor weather, this is no place to be. Some of the highest windspeeds in the country have been recorded by the weather station here - well over 140 mph. This cache may also be inaccesible in snowy weather as the rocks can be drifted over completely. You may be disappointed or have to dig large amounts of snow away.
To do this cache, you should take full responsibility for yourself in the mountains - correct equipment and expertise are just the minimum requirements. Map, compass and full mountain equipment needed plus axe and crampons in winter.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
A fvqr bs gbe, 1.5z fd syng ebpx. Ghpxrq njnl. Fgvpx cebivqrq. (vs lbh ner yhpxl!)
Treasures
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