Last Summer I went back to the Cairngorms. The weather was very good and the long walks to the climbing spots were long but not too arduous. We climbed the Pygmy Ridge in the Northern Corries and Afterthought Arete and Final Selection above Loch Avon (Stag Rocks). The routes were classical and easy enough for the "two of us" in me, and the views were stunning. Only the midges were bad and almost ate us alive in the last route of the day (Final Selection) above Loch Avon. The stay was at an overorganised campsite in Grantown-on-Spey, with strict check-in and check-out times and numbered pitches for the tents where we had to be led by someone working at the campsite. The only advantage we recognised in this campsite was 1) it was not fully booked; and 2) it was close to Aviemore and the Coire Cas Base Station, where our walks to the climbing spots started. Aviemore, even though a town made for tourists and skiers, has a good selection of places to eat and fortunately their kitchens do not follow the typical Scottish closing hours. Tasty and good size fish and chips, and delicious pizza, were still available until 10pm, which was perfect for us who usually arrived from the mountains at around 9pm. These were my last climbings in 2019 and I was happy it was at the heart of Scotland, near were I first went with my aunt Dina and uncle Nari, in 2007, in my very first weekend in the country.
