Category: Munros
Height: N/a
The forecast was not the best for this long traverse, very strong winds, showers with some snow on and off all day and minus temperatures up top.
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| The start |
Still as we got ready at the parking area at Balsporran Cottages just south of Dalwhinnie a pair of golden eagles flew overhead, a good omen for the day?
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| The cairns in early light |
We followed the estate track then headed up the eroding boggy track to the large cairns where the early morning light, clouds and rain gave a gloomy but excellent view.
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| Geal Charn before the clouds swept in |
The summit of Geal Charn could be seen from here but true to form it was in the clouds when we reached it so nae views.
We descended and hid behind some rocks for refreshments. It was wild right now and bitterly cold. The hailstones really stinging any exposed flesh.
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| A 'Mharconaich ridge |
Once again the summit area of A’Mharconaich could be seen as well as an early walker descending the ridge heading back to the cars, only doing two!! As the cloud came and went urged on by the strong winds we had excellent views down Loch Ericht and Ben Alder.
Once again we were in cloud as we reached the cairns on number two, nae views from the top and a howling wind.
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| Loch Ericht |
Backtracking through the gloom it all opened again as we admired the views down to the splendid looking Ben Alder Lodge and outbuildings as well as Loch Ericht and later similar grand views of the very isolated Corrievarkie Lodge (accessed from Dalnaspidal Lodge).
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| Climb to Beinn Udlamain |
But we also had good views of the way ahead to Beinn Udlamain, our third and the highest Munro of the day, as well as being the highest of the Drumochter hills.
Some small figures ahead made it look like a long steep climb but apart from the very strong winds the ascent was good. There were also superb views to our right of Munro number four, Sgairneach Mhor and our descent route back to the A9. Despite the weather there were a few different parties on these Munros today.
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| Looking back to A' Mharconaich nae clouds |
True to form by the time we reached the summit of Udlamain the cloud was down and nae views from the top again.
Top 4 Sgaineach Mhor
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Another short descent of about 200 metres to the peat hags then back up and across the plateau to our final cairn where the clouds actually partially lifted to give us some summit views, yippee.
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| Looking north from Sgairneach Mhor |
The winds were now at there strongest and we were blown down the initial descent to the new bridge built over the Allt Coire Dhomhain, just as well as it was running quite high, wet feet as we found out when crossing the small ford near the end. Not the nicest descent through the heather but I have descended much worse.
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| Descent route |
Overall an excellent traverse in good company and much to enjoy. Still I will have to return to see the views from those cloudy summits.
Wildlife: Golden Eagle, Raven, Mountain hare,
Time: 7.38
Ascent: 3400ft
Distance: 21k
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