Walk:
A’ Bhuidheannach Bheag (936m); Carn na Caim (941m)
Type:
Munro x 2
Height:
824m
Walkhighlands:
‘The
east side of Drumochter pass is bounded by a steeply rising moor,
riven by gullies. Surprisingly given its unimpressive appearance,
there are two Munros on the plateau above. The hills themselves lack
interest but this walk gives a real feeling of space. The tops are
the haunt of dotterel and ptarmigan’.
Yesterdays
marathon seemed to have helped stretch the tendon, in any case I
decided it was good enough to tackle my two planned hills. As I am on
my own today anyway there was no hassle if I turned back. I also knew
that after the initial section all the walking would be on soft
surfaces.
Parked
at the normal layby start and managed to safely cross the A9, the
only dangerous part of this walk. In fairness at this time in the
morning not much traffic around.
 |
| The start, the track can be seen in the middle |
Head
north a bit and track stands out. I could see 4 figures heading up,
more about them later.
The
estate track is the
typical
stony affair
and not the most pleasant walking. Tendon
starting to throb on this stuff, not a good sign.
It is simply a case of head down and plod on. The
trudge up
lasts for about 500m. On
a good day you could stop and take in the views, today was not one of
those.
I
had noticed the 4 regularly looking back and they slowed so much I
had to pass them, commenting that youngsters like them should be
ashamed letting an old guy come past them. They did laugh.
Funny
how after that they never strayed far from me!
I
decided to follow the Walkhighlands route so turned left at the
quarry junction, certainly not much of a quarry. With
the
benefits of hindsight
I would have done the other one first.
 |
| Reached the top to the gloom |
The
winds were stronger
than yesterday and the first of a few heavy showers hit so
waterproofs on. As I stopped the 4 youngsters
went
by but then stopped not long after, waiting
until I passed, you know what was
happening.
The
clouds had descended so no long views but there is an old fence to
follow if
in any doubt of
your navigation.
I
picked up the pace on this relatively flat ground, if you avoid the
hags. Over a hill I deviated from the normal route going cross
country for a bit and guess what the kids had upped the pace and so
did they. No doubts now that they were following me rather
than following their
own
route.
 |
| Carn na Caim, well did you expect a spectacular top? |
Rain
eased off, clouds lifted and I got a view of the way ahead and before
long the small cairn appeared. The
very boggy area was ok today.
Not
a day to hang about, cold and windy with minimal views. Meall
Chuaich was close to
the north
and looked a significant climb, some people add this on to this route
but you really need a car at each end unless you are super fit or
just plain daft.
 |
| Ben Alder range in background |
As
I passed the kids one commented that I had not stayed long which
meant they did not either as they clearly wanted to keep me in their
sights.
Trekked
back the same way moving quickly, not because of the kids but the
weather. This section was probably the best view as the clouds lifted
enough and I had the Ben Alder massif directly ahead.
 |
| The track is clear even if the summit looks kind of flat |
At
the junction the track now does a few ups and downs before reaching
the white stone cairn indicating the left
turn. I could see some walkers in the distance heading up the grassy
slopes so
the route was obvious.
Looking
back the kids must really have run to have caught sight of me with
these up and downs
and then they
stopped.
I would not have minded helping them but it was annoying that they
just followed with no conversation or acknowledgment.
 |
| Munro number 2, A Bhuidheannach Beag |
There
is a faint grassy track to follow, which differs from the
Walkhighlands GPS. That seemed to go straight
into the peat hags so I stuck with the line
of sight track.
As expected the kids followed me.
 |
| Featureless terrain |
Up
top some more boggy peat terrain to negotiate but just a short walk
to the cairn which
was in the gloom.
Looking
around this is a true high level moorland terrain and although you
are not going to fall off anything in bad weather it could be easy to
lose your bearings. Not
the place to be in a winter white-out
if you cannot navigate.
 |
| Looking west, not much too see |
 |
| The kids are heading my way for the last time |
As
I headed back the kids passed, all heads down, no eye contact made,
clearly aware that I knew what they had been doing. Sad no
acknowledgment but maybe that's just that generation.
 |
| Dalwhinnie down below |
Wind
and rain accompanied my descent. The weather window opened a bit to
give good views across to The Fara and over Dalwhinnie and the hills
beyond.
Almost
back when I met a guy starting out. Looking back, more blue skies, I
commented he might just be getting the best of the weather. He said
he hoped so as in the morning he had done a Graham at Newtonmore
and in his own words ‘he was lucky to be here’. He had followed
the Walkhighlands GPS route and found himself cragfast and just
managed
to get
over it. I have also
found
that before by
following
a GPS
route without thought can take you right onto a drop. A sobering
reminder, hope he told the kids when he passed them. They had now
slowed down and
were a good bit behind me, presumably as
they could see the cars.
 |
| Thrush |
As
I descended
a large flock of thrush were on the ground and singly
flew
into the trees and
pylon
when
I passed,
exactly the same as yesterday. As I drove home another big group flew
over so there must be a big arrival from Europe. Apart from them,
just like yesterday wildlife non existent.
It
is not often that a Munro can be tagged as non descript but that is
what this pair are. That's not to say the walk was not enjoyable but
it did not feel like Munro bagging.
A
super
weekend with five new Munros and a Graham. Time to rest that injury
as a very busy period coming up.
Wildlife:
Meadow
pipits aplenty; Dunnock; large flock of thrush.
Distance:
19.14km
Ascent:
834m
Time:
4.41
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