4 Day Solo Hiking through the Heart of the Cairngorms (pt. 2) | Fords of Avon & Hutchison Bothy

In April of 2024, Otto and I explored an area that we've never been to before: The Cairngorms!
This is part 2 of our 4 day adventure in the Cairngorms National Park.
We had yet another very unexpected return of winter with snow and icy winds. It was very wet, cold, mentally challenging and I've had to change plans. But the landscape was just stunning, we stayed in a cute bothy and crossing the iconic River Avon was definitely an experience!
Watch part 1 here: • Solo Hiking One of Sco...
🧭 Route:
Loch Morlich-Hutchison Memorial Hut (via Fords of Avon)
Hutchison Memorial Hut-Linn of Dee
Lots of love and happy hiking,
Elli and Otto 🐕‍🦺
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[@mandyinabudhabi]

The trail you missed will be there for another day. Otto looked exhausted after playing in the snow, he's so cute and seems an excellent travel companion.

[@ellihikes]

That's so true, there's always another time :) Thank you so much for following along :)

[@FossilGirl85]

I love Loch Morlich. I always head there when we go to the Cairngorms, I know we've arrived when we make it to the shores of the Loch. It's a little slice of heaven (we only go in Winter, I hear it's horrendously busy in Summer!). I couldn't wait to take our pup Luna for her first trip, she was 5 months old and loving the Loch and snow ❄️🐾

[@user-man-guinon80]

Elli, I'm writing this just before the weather turns really bad. You are such an inspirational person with great charm and a huge intellect. From the coments on your hikes people really warm to yourself, and of course Otto. You would be a brilliant teacher and influencer in whatever discipline you might choose, and of course hiking might be a prime candidate. I think that you have a really successful future before you. Now it's just started snowing and I'm concerned, so I'll close this and cross fingers and toes for you to find a hot coffee stall along the way. Be happy ! Sheffield South Yorkshire. Uncross fingers and toes. You're both safe.

[@davidtyler7994]

Well, that takes me right back to April 2000, when I climbed the four Munros on the Braeriach plateau in poor visibility and snow, camped in Glen Geuseuchan - and got stuck there for several days in a blizzard! In February 2001, I climbed Ben Macdui in deep, deep snow. Early spring in the Cairngorms needs to be treated with respect, as indeed you did, Elli.

[@catmandubh]

Loved your adventure. You are such a level headed person, also very engaging. Your boyfriend is a lucky man!

[@Philliben1991]

I remember doing the West Highland Way at the end of May in 2004 or maybe 2005 and it was a white out blizzard all the way up the Loch Lomond section. I was like 'What's going on!?'.

[@davidbewick6885]

Elli, thanks for sharing that. It was a massive adventure for you and Otto and I think you made all the right calls. It is a truly magnificent landscape that you hiked through. I have looked up the trail you took away from Ryvoan, before, and wondered what it would be like on a bike. I can see know that it is probably best done on foot!

[@keefsmiff]

That's a fit little land shark you have travelling with you

[@ellihikes]

@@keefsmiff 😅😊🥰🥰

[@maggiemayandme1953]

Thank yiu Elli. I really enjoy your videos and hearing talk about the beauty of the landscape. I like also how honest you are when things are awful!

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much, that really means a lot :) I'm always trying to keep it real, even if things don't work out or aren't great :)

[@RobertButterfield-y6x]

Your adventures are getting more adventurous! Excellent production quality. I was shivering just watching you deal with all of the cold.

[@ellihikes]

Aww, that’s very kind! Thank you so so much, I really appreciate you following along :) yes, it was very very cold with the wind and the bogs were actually frozen in the morning 🥶😅

[@mrgrant7067]

The top of Derry cairngorm is a bolder field mostly all the way back , you did a great hike covering some nise bits of the cairngorms .

[@ellihikes]

Aww, thank you so much!!

[@RenateSchneider-d8w]

Hi elli und otto, ihr habt dieses Jahr wirklich Pech mit dem Wetter- im April noch Schnee und Kälte😢. Und trotzdem macht ihr weiter. Diese schöne Landschaft in einem Sonnenlicht - Kompliment, gut gemacht ❤

[@PhilMcKelliget]

Well done Elli and Otto. We loved this beautifully filmed video and think you were very brave in all that cold and snow. It’s heartwarming the way you care for Otto. Keep on hiking - you’re an inspiration. Phil and Wendy.

[@ellihikes]

Thank you to both of you for your kind words and encouragement! That means so much and I’m always happy to see your comments :) thank you for following along, really happy that you’re enjoying the videos 🥰

[@Curlew-Corner]

Congratulations Ellie and Otto. He’s a great walking pal. You both did brilliantly in the awful weather.

[@ellihikes]

He really is the best :) Thank you so much for following along, that means a lot :)

[@chrishiking8818]

Total respect to you Elli and Otto , many would have given up , but in your situation there was only a few options and you made the right one by experience but also gut feeling . So proud of you both this area been my training ground in the pass so many times and is very tough and dangerous. This video was very good for others to use and understand Scotland but anywhere about how the weather, area and different situations come and go. Toppers the both of you and still giving that beautiful big Elli smile. Take care both 🌷

[@mikePNW]

The weather needs to start cooperating with you! 😅 You two did amazing though and made the right choices. Hopefully Spring has finally shown up for you. Can't wait for the next adventure.

[@ellihikes]

Hahahaha, true :) To be fair, it got a lot better just a week later when I did the TGO Challenge. Just wasn't very lucky in April this year :) But all part of the hike and Scotland is beautiful in every weather 😍 Thank you so much for following along :)

[@yellowbicycleartstudio8974]

As always a stunning video! You and Otto make a great team!

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much 😇😊

[@donalhempenstall5406]

Awesome job, amazing views. Definitely a hike I would like to try now. Unexpected weather conditions are a strain. You are so good for sharing.

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much for following our adventures :) it’s definitely an incredible hike with beautiful views, you can easily add Loch Avon and Ben Macdui. Would highly recommend it and definitely want to return to the area 😍

[@gerardgeometre1862]

Yes Elli, things don't always go the way you want them to. But still a great performance under the circumstances. Your little companion seems to have reached his limits this time. At least that's how it looked. I have great respect for him, many a two-legged creature would have gone on strike and refused to obey. All the best!😊

[@michaelatkinson8291]

Glen Derry is so beautiful. I spent the night in the Fords of Avon refuge summer of 2019 after walking down Lairig Ghru & up Lairig an Laoigh. Bless little Otto fast asleep in the car, what a wonderful companion. Love your enthusiasm for the outdoors x

[@ellihikes]

It really is stunning, I've never hiked there before, but I definitely want to go back now that I've explored the area a bit :) Thank you so much for the kind words, I really appreciate you following along :)

[@keithmoss7460]

yes beware everyone scotland especially in the cairngorms will often be cold in April, even May..... when spring usually starts.... all part of its charm!

[@ellihikes]

That's so true! Scotland is just so so beautiful in every weather :) I always keep coming back and will definitely go back to the Cairngorms too for some more hikes 😍

[@elinaranes4357]

Good to have you both back safe and warm in the car. That looked so cold and wet. Otto is such a brave little dog💜You two are a good team. Take care🌸

[@ellihikes]

Yes, it really was quite cold this time, even when the sun was out :) Thank you so much for following along and your kind words, that means so much :)

[@cheekuenbird38]

Thank you so much for sharing another fantastic episode. I'm so sorry about the horrible weather 😢 but you and Otto never give up ! Hope you are enjoying summer back home. Take care and a very big hug for Otto ❤❤

[@ellihikes]

Aww, that's very kind! Thank you so much for following along, that really means so much! We are enjoying a few very hot days back home, but are already planning our next hiking adventures :)

[@martinforrester8249]

What dramatic views, Otto seems in his element... but he needs a body warmer Elli. Footnote, my company sent me on an Outward Bound Course for a month in the Cairngorms. We hiked from Aviemore up to Ben Macdui, in December in a whiteout. I was twenty, I'm now eighty. Great times, never forgotten, just like your adventure Elli. Love your vids, thankyou.

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much for sharing, really appreciate you following along! That means a lot :) Otto has a jacket and quilt for sleeping and to wear during our breaks. When we’re moving, he’s usually not wearing one because he doesn’t like it and is warm enough with his fur. As he’s kind of ‚low to the ground‘, he always gets a wet belly when the ground is wet/boggy. So I don’t want him to wear a wet jacket all day long having wet/cold fabric on his skin all the time...

[@outdoorsincornwall2060]

Well done both of you! And particular respect to you for paddling in the river to rescue Otto, that must have been freezing! Hopefully the weather will have improved for you by the time of your next adventure

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much :) Yes, it was quite cold in April, but it got better just a few days later for my next adventure :)

[@michaelburke248]

Well done, Ellie and Oato. Great video. Thanks so much. I have enjoyed your Scottish adventure in the past weeks.

[@ellihikes]

Aww, that means so much! Thank you for the kind words and feedback :) Really appreciate you following along!

[@michaelburke248]

I hope you and Oato have a good rest and time to plan your next adventure .

[@stephenvicary9243]

Always look forward to your hiking adventures Elli. Great video shots as ever. Amazing Mountain View’s this time even with the snow and rotten weather (but that’s Scotland for you) and boy did you have some serious elements thrown at you! Mountains show the wonder of the seasons. Very impressed at yourself and Otto yomping through some of the worst of it and you had better luck with the peacefulness of the Bothy’s 👍🏻. Thank you once again for sharing. A crackin’ episode 👏🏻

[@ellihikes]

I really appreciate the kind words and you following along, Stephen :) That means so much! Yes, we really had a lot of cold weather this year in March/April, very different from our JoGLE hike last year :) I always try to make the best of it and stay positive - after all, what can you do 20km from the car? No option but to carry on 😅😊

[@hope2someday691]

I’m America we have a saying “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. You are becoming a very strong woman. Hang in there, it’s always darkest before the dawn. Yeah, that was another one of those sayings. How’s Otto holding up? Maybe you could interview him? Though I guess it would be a little one sided. 🤣

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much for following along :) Yes, that's definitely true, the more you do it (like hiking in harsh conditions), the more you get used to it, know what you're capable of and also your limits. Otto is doing great honestly, I'm always surprised how much energy he has and how he can easily adapt to new situations and ist just happy when we're out and about :)

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

You made the right choice, the mountains and the loch aren't going anywhere so there is always another day. (better safe than Dead) Hello Elli and Otto, So funny when you had to go back for Otto But he ran the other way lol So Cute. Beautiful views again Elli, and funny the way the weather got better the closer to the car you got (always the bloody way lol) Just wanted to say I'm so proud of you, you did an amazing Hike --- and Elli you did ok too Hehehe awesome video and some great music. 😜✌

[@ellihikes]

Hahaha, thank you so much for the laugh 😅 yes, you can really tell that Otto hates water. As soon as he sees me going his direction, he heads back to the shore to be "safe". He always does that, he really isn't comfortable when he's around deeper water. Thank you so much for the feedback and for following along :)

[@wandering_not_lost]

Another lovely video, thank you Elli and Otto. That was a very sensible decision that you took. I’d have done exactly the same thing. I did laugh when Otto was in the middle of the river but turned back making you pursue him all the way to the far bank. Bless him 😂😂

[@TicaHikes]

Funny indeed!

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much for following along :) Otto really hates water and always stops when it's deeper than. As soon as he saw me walking back to him in his direction, he started going back to the shore to be safe!

[@wandering_not_lost]

@@ellihikes sensible dog. Elli can I ask which model of X Mid you use? Is it the 1 person or the 2? Seems to have plenty of space for you and Otto. I’m thinking of getting an X Mid myself

[@ellihikes]

That's the xmid 1 and there's enough space for me and Otto although I'm not tall, so plenty of space at my feet for Otto 😊

[@wandering_not_lost]

@@ellihikes Thank you x

[@callummacinnes3677]

Nice one Elli, really enjoyed the videos of your Cairngorms adventure. It’s an area that I really enjoy visiting. Atb.

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much for following along! It really is so beautiful, I definitely want to go back :)

[@BrokenBackMountains]

Aye. Scotland in Spring😂 Well done. I like the fact you always see the bright side. Ive been in the Cairngorms in winter many times A white out on Braeriach was challenging. Always best to stay low if in doubt or aren't equipped. Making the right decisions is key and you did that. Otto is one smart boy. He knew where was good to go and when he needed help. Well done anyway. Another very enjoyable video.

[@ellihikes]

Hahahaha, true! Thank you for sharing :) Obviously not unusual in any way, I think I was just very surprised because even the mwis wasn't very accurate that day :) I always try to stay positive - after all I feel very lucky that I get to explore all these beautiful areas and most of the time it's that feeling in the back of my head 😍😇 Yes, definitely the right decision especially since I obviously didn't carry my winter hiking equipment for this trip and also always playing it safe when I'm hiking with Otto. Thank you so much for following along :)

[@joncaradies3155]

thanks for the great video ! ..... Good times !!!!!

[@ellihikes]

Thank you 😊

[@RamblingRuth]

Another fantastic hike Elli! Shame about the weather but you are very sensible and safe always. Take care x

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much, Ruth! Yep, we weren't very lucky with the weather in April this year - but I always try to stay positive, I mean the scenery is just stunning in (almost) every weather! Thank you for following along, that means a lot :)

[@Daytona2]

Amazing walk, so pleased that you got to see it like this, thanks for sharing, Elli 😊 Snow when you're heading up into the hills, is just what you don't want. Scary but you made good calls and you got to see a far more civilised bothy Were you using the weather forecasts from the Mountain Weather Information Service MWIS ? You aren't really safe from freezing conditions until May. I was worried that Otto would try and jump in and swim the river. Perhaps buy a dog sling/harness so that you can attach him to your chest somehow for river crossings ?

[@ellihikes]

It was really stunning and I'm so happy that I got to see it :) Although I now have to return for Loch Avon and Ben Macdui 😅😍 Thank you so much for following along! Yes, I'm always checking MWIS when out in the mountains but even their forecast was not very accurate that day... It can just just change very quickly in the mountains with clouds building up unpredictably/getting "stuck". I know, Otto on the rock in the middle of the river looks scary . Luckily I know that he would never jump or swim in the water. He's afraid of water and never goes in ever, so I can count on him that he doesn't continue on his own when I tell him to wait.... I've had a sling thing for a bit, but it wasn't really comfortable and really affected my balance. I would probably rather carry him in my pack if needed where he could sit with his head out :)

[@alangauld6079]

You are correct it should be pronounced A'an not Avon. I did the same route as you (except I slept at the Ford's hut) back in the 90s, in winter and on cross-country skiis. And I did the trip from Glen Derry round by Loch A'an in summer 2022. I love that area. But you were unfortunate to hit one of the coldest springs we have had in years, the temperatures definitely didn't really start to rise until early May. OTOH I've experienced blizzards in June. On one occasion I set off in sunshine and at lunchtime it started snowing. 2 hours later it stopped and there was over 2 inches of new snow. By 5pm it had all melted again. The next day was clear blue skies and temperatures in the 20s. You never quite know what you'll get in Scotland.

[@ellihikes]

Thank you for sharing - so I wasn't too far off with how I thought it would be pronounced 👍 I loved the area and exploring it on cross-country skis would definitely be something that I could see myself doing there too. Must be so peaceful :) I think in the back of my head I was thinking about last year where I hiked in the northern Highlands from early April but never had any snow whatsoever... 😅 probably both years a bit unusual in different ways and the weather in the mountains obviously can change a lot and very quickly too :)

[@newington7061]

Great video. You make it look easy. Hardcore. Have great summer adventures.

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much! Hahaha, I always try to show it how it really is... It definitely wasn't too easy this time, but I guess we're used to it a bit after hiking in Scotland a lot of times in the past :)

[@TicaHikes]

Thanks for the video. I am planning to hike there sometime but now that I saw your video, it will be definetely be after June!

[@ellihikes]

Thank you for following along! It's definitely worth a visit, there are so many great hikes :) The weather can really be hit and miss in spring. Last year, I was very lucky and didn't have any snow in Scotland in April, this year I still had snow at the end of April. May would probably be ideal, less risk of snow/really cold weather but not too hot either in general :)

[@RichardMathews-gv7lb]

Having been on the Cairngorm plateau in a white out I would have made the same decision you did. Big cliffs fringed with cornices are a death trap for the unwary up there. Also not having crampons and axe would have made things a bit dicey especially if the snow was neve higher up. Good calls

[@ellihikes]

Yes, definitely. I'm a bit used to winter hiking (in the Alps), but obviously without Otto and I didn't bring my equipment because I knew I would just stay low level if the weather wasn't great. So yes, a bit unexpected that day (which is why I was a bit sad), but definitely wouldn't have taken any risk. Thank you for following along :)

[@katieodonnell5469]

Well done on powering through that cold snap! The Cairngorms are so wonderful but you're right there are so few easy exit points so thank you for showing the reality of this in your video. Also you are correct it is pronounced a(w)an - the w sound is basically silent but it is there, it comes from the Gaelic abhainn which means river so the River Avon is 'river river'...

[@AmblingMan]

you nailed the decisions, conditions so different to the TGOC just a few weeks later :)

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much! OMG, yes - hard to believe that it was soo hot and I almost got a heatstroke on my TGOC just 10 days later 😂

[@d.kennedy7627]

No warm jacket for your hiking partner?

[@ellihikes]

Otto has a jacket and quilt for sleeping and to wear during our breaks. When we’re moving, he’s usually not wearing one because he doesn’t like it and it always gets wet which results in him getting even colder. He’s kind of ‚low to the ground‘, so he always gets a wet belly when the ground is wet/boggy. I don’t want him to wear a wet jacket all day long having wet/cold fabric on his skin all the time….

[@d.kennedy7627]

@@ellihikes. Thank you for answering.

[@stevenhogg2710]

whinge whinge whinge lol

[@RogerByrne]

Ottos International Rettungsdienst 🛟

[@ellihikes]

😅😇