Winter Climbing & Bothy Walking in the Cairngorms 

Hello everyone, I just wanted to say that this video was filmed two weeks ago, so before the UK started social distancing etc. At the moment, Harvey and I are self-isolating at home which means we'll be sticking more to local trails and low-impact van trips. I hope you are all doing well. I really want to make more content during this time to keep you entertained and inspired, so I hope you enjoy this video :) One of the key ways you can support me is simply by sharing this video to anyone who you think needs cheering up or a little escapism. See you soon, Athena xxx

*Immediately plans trip to Scotland when this is over*. Beautifully captured and so grounding Athena! Hope you guys are keeping well x

So relaxing, me and my daughter love these videos, she's conquered our local hills, now she wants to do some bigger walks

Wow, Scotland usually doesn't inspire a mental picture of snowy peaks, but that was absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

Your filming is absolutely beautiful, the music and shots you use are amazing, I find that when I watch your films they’re really telling a full story, it’s moved me to tears on more than on occasion us viewers feel like we’re following your life story and we love it!

See lots of you videos and went wild camping for the first time, thanks for the vids and inspiration, loved every minute of just being alone and connecting to where I am in the world 👍🏼

Your vids add much needed tranquility to an uncertain time. Many thanks !!!

Corrour Bothy and the Lairig Ghru walk are incredible. 26 mile a from Aviemore to Braemar through Scotland Grand Canyon. Overnight at Corrour or Bob Scott’s Bothy. The logistics are horrendous getting one from end to the other. But soooo worth it. Lovely video

Lovely. Thank you. Will very much look forward to more videos over the coming weeks. Something to look forward to. Thank you again.

I love watching your videos, I always feel so relaxed 🖤 stay healthy at this weird time!

Thanks for sharing your videos Athena. I've really enjoyed watching them all! Feel really inspired to get out walking in Derbyshire again 😀

so peaceful - thanks for sharing, Athena!

The Cairngorms has to be one of my favourite places in the UK. Stunning scenery and lots of wild areas to explore.

Thanks for another beautifully well made video ! You just keep getting better and better at this. Wonderful scenery and such relaxing music to go with it. You really have the knack. Roping up in the snow is so exhilarating and amazing. I always get nervous wearing crampons when roped because I 'know' I am going to chop my rope and probably not notice it right when I need it the most. I love getting up on the 'backbone' of the mountains where you can see everything or maybe be socked in the clouds. Thanks again, I think I'll watch it again.

I too have been to the view point over Uath and it's one of the best in Scotland.Just to the left in a valley on the big hill in the distance was were the Vikings took a last stand years back...they got beat up.Happy hiking.

Walked up to Gelder Shiel Stables bothy a few times, it's where the Royal family go for their BBQ,the little lodge next to the bothy is only opened up for them.Incidently, you maybe couldn't see because of the weather but it's at the foot of the famous Lochnagar mountain.

Glorious. I hike solo much of the time in benign conditions and do more challenging walks with others. Group walks have been cancelled for the foreseeable , but Spring is here so solo hikes are more feasible and these videos are super inspirational. Thank you for sharing. PS - I will be hiking around Lost Valley area and Ben Lomond area in June - very excited.!

Great video. Glad you enjoyed it up here ❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Nice video, looks great fun in the snow

Beautiful scenery with stunning views from the mountain peaks it's another world in the mountains a place everyone should visit sometime if they get the chance. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. Stay safe and see you in the next.

What a lovely trip and therefore video!! The heather is so beautiful now! 💜🌿🌸

Amazing Athena! Great video as always. Thanks for sharing 😃

What a Vlog, great edit. Really, really good.

Thank you for another great video. Stay well, stay safe.

I love your videos so much thank you! We were there in January and had the same thing - super high winds so ended up walking around lots of the lowlands but absolutely loved it. We cycled up where you walked from Balmoral but had to turn back because we got hit in the face by a hail storm 🙈 but it was so beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

Nice video, beautiful landscapes. Congratulations. Greetings from Zaragoza, Spain!!!

Great vid which I really enjoyed watching. I've almost finished reading 'Cairngorm John', so this outing puts the true stories of mountain rescue from this book into reality, as I get to see the areas John mentions in his book. Glad you changed your plans because of the weather and decided to stay safe. So often bravado of planning your route and sticking to it outweighs the safety element, so good on you for changing it up. All the best

Please please do a bothy series, visit all the bothies!! And take us along.

Lovely video, really enjoyed your trip... Wow scarry climb on the top.

Great video again. i enjoyed on my work break. Greet from Belgium in quarantine!

Another great video athena keep up the good work they are just great watching your videos every week they just keep getting better and better....all the best....stewart

Have to say extreme weather conditions does not deter yourself and Harvey, it can't be sunny weather all the time I guess, The mountain scenery was awesome. Harvey and yourself work so well together On These videos, ye bounce of each other well with yer views on things, and support each other, very postive vibes all around. a great team the two of ye make, very inspirational. Take a bow.😎👏

Looks fun! Thanks for sharing your fears, we all get scared sometimes. I had no idea the UK is so pretty.

Thanks for the videos you make. I don't have the opportunity to walk or climb but I find them relaxing and a good source to learn about what the UK has to offer if I could.#Londoner

Good video! Looking forward to seeing more once all of this is over!

Hi Athena. I hope Harvey enjoyed the treacle tart you brought from Ambleside ! Great video in an area I love. I'm going in late July for a weeks walking in Aviemore. Last July I went with my youngest daughter to Balmoral from our base in Aviemore - a fantastic drive. You should check out Prince Albert's cairn on the estate. It's basically a huge pyramid & not what you expect to see in a Scottish pine forest ! (google it). Last summer did a 36 mile hike round the Cairngorms taking in Corrour bothy, the Fords of Avon refuge & Ryvoan - superb country. Thanks again & I hope you, Harvey, your family & of course Heather & my boy Oslo stay fit & well in these troubled times. Take care sweetheart xx

I love your.Videos keeping me entertained during this time 😊

Stunning scenery 😎

Hello Athena and Harvey....who made more than a guest appearance this week. Love Scotland, haven’t been for a while and reminds me to go back. Like the area of Aberfeldy Perthshire bagged a few Munro’s there. Inspiring as always coupled with tea (obviously) and breakfast which looked delicious 😋. Hate to be a critic, but please ask Harvey to wear his seat belt...no lectures on road safety needed, I’m sure you’d agree. 🙋🏼‍♂️😎

H'mm a previous Factor at Balmoral, Mr Bruce & his wife retired in the 1990s to her family home here in Portree a few hundred yards from me now. My mother lived in a cottage Mrs Bruce's family owned (they have their Own estate of course!). Princess Anne is a family friend & visits them sometimes & I bumped into Prince Charles in the street one day so he must have too! But all many yonks ago when he was still married to Lady Di. It took a relay of huge removal lorries 2,1/2 days to move all their stuff from Balmoral into the house here.. The great walker Tom Weir did a tv programme on Balmoral with Mr Bruce in I think the 1970s. Weel, back to the modern world...

Now this is self isolation regardless what the media is trying to throw down are throats ... love it. x

great video to watch while stuck indoors due to coved 19

Really enjoy the vids. I am a newbie to hiking though i did many wild camps when younger. time to get back into it after 20 years!!! Plan on doing the Edale to Kinder in a few week time.

Perfect antidote to #covid-19. Thank you for posting. Walks like this will be great for mental Well being.

the English Pennliner is impressed, again, brilliant video!

I thought I saw you both walking down the street in Aviemore on March 6th, which was a Friday. I was looking for a place to eat after climbing- the gully's were in great condition that day!

Beautiful landscape and climb. Also finally I see lots of trees in your videos.

Can you do more photography content and insert the photos you take on the trip in the video Love the videos. Stay safe

Hi Athena have you ever tried to visit from Dunster Castle and follow the Coast around via Clovelly to St Ives plus Dartmoor David Chave

Enjoyed your video look forward to seing more, stay safe guys, Oswald Alexander.

very nice & cold !!!

Always worth the drive to Scotland, great walking what ever the weather. You probably can't do any better in social distancing than walking in Scotland.

Looks amazing! I’m curious to know what I need to do to end up climbing trees for a living.

I will never understood the British penchant for baked beans at breakfast. In the USA we eat those at picnics or with BBQ. Breakfast mushrooms are never done at breakfast but I have learned to heartily approve of that. Otherwise, simply eat what makes you happy

Great video Athena. The Cairngorms look wild! Just got a question. How do you and Harvey find the Ford Transit Connect? Is it a trustworthy van that you can comfortably kip in?! Thanks.

Wow fab thankyou..

Would love to meet you here when you're up again! Some great bothies, even just from my doorstep. Can give you a gaelic lesson too 😉

Thanks Athena - that's a really lovely video. What is the music that starts at 13.12? Couldn't find it using Shazzam!

Thanks for sharing. Great video. Just one observation, Harvey not wearing a seatbelt. Not good, I've see all too often the consequences. Anyway rant over and you all stay safe.

Great video

Great video. What is the temperature and altitude at the point where there the ground is covered in snow? And at the highest point?

Harvey appears to be driving but not wearing a seatbelt, unless it's well hidden perhaps ?

During these “Interesting times” your videos are a wonderful tonic. As always the accompanying music was well chosen

Bliss

TO THE 20,000+ SUBSCRIBERS PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING A ON ATHENA’S PATRON, UNLESS YOU BELIEVE THE EFFORT AND INFORMATION ATHENA IS OFFERING ISN'T WORTH A DOUGHNUT AND A CUP OF TEA. Athena + Harvey you guys rock! Great footage, nicely filmed with useful information:0) Blessings X

Mine claws which l bought from korean supermarket are half size compare to yours.

Very soothing and relaxing to watch, love the music. Stay safe everyone, God is in control and watching us. Be ready for rapture.

You are professional youtuber specialize in hiking n modeling for brand names hiking apparel n equipment.

You must have been in Scotland the week before me, or perhaps even during the same week. I call that week The Great Panic because every day the news was full of reports of hospitals in Italy and France being completely overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of seriously ill patients. While the government here dithered and dallied, somehow under the impression that twenty miles of water between the UK and the continent would prevent the virus from reaching these shores. I have stayed in many bothies but not the Gelder Shiel which looks very tidy and welcoming, compared to Corrour which is spartan in the extreme and rather like the concrete sheds on the trackside of the railways, for use by railway track maintenance workers. I understand it has been improved since I was last there and even has a proper toilet! I did google for Gelder Shiel to see exactly where it was. Sadly it has been closed since the summer due to misuse by a small minority of bothy users who leave their rubbish behind them and foul the area around the bothy by not following basic hygiene when wanting to go to the toilet. Hope you are still able to get out and about during this even more severe lockdown. I am so envious that in normal times you live far enough north to be able to get to Scotland on a weekend trip.

Well done for not editing out your partner picking the wax out of his ear and wiping it on his leg. ROFL

Scotland isn't a van playground. Vans will be vandalized next season. Don't bring.

Put your fucking seatbelt on. Awsome role model, wear ropes to walk up a hill but no seatbelt on the roads.

What a beautiful area ,another one on my list .Great video .