A cold and muddy ramble.....Gael Charn (Monadhliath)

Hill: Geal Charn (Monadhliath) (White Hill)

Type: Munro

Height: 925

The big question is 'how do you tell when it is summer in Scotland'? Going by this year that is a very hard one to answer.

I had missed out on bagging this hill a few times but today was the opportunity to rectify that. The drive from Laggan to Garva Bridge has to be one of my favourites.

The water levels on the Spey, as viewed from General Wades bridge, looked on the low side considering the amount of rain that we have had. I know that the nearby Spey dam regulates water flow so looking at these levels I assume it is in this direction.

Arriving at the parking area it is empty. On previous occasions it has been full of campervans as well as walkers cars. This is ‘summer’, the schools are on holiday, it is one of the easier Munros, the forecast is okay, very surprised.

Everyone who has read a report on this hill will know it is a mudfest and after the recent rains it did not disappoint.

Path would get a lot muddier

This will be a fairly short report as not a lot happened on this ramble. It is a very straightforward walk along a distinct trail, it is a Munro after all. Very boggy as I followed it alongside the burn before making a detour. At one point I lost the track but knew it was not far away. Found it just before I had to cross it. The only distraction was a small group of four stags, not at all bothered with me.

Luckily, despite the recent rain, it was a straightforward burn crossing unlike recent stressful ones.

I had been feeling a bit chesty on the early stages but thankfully I was breathing okay as I started the final climb to the plateau. The wind was much stronger and colder, so much so that I had to put on a winter hat, unreal.

Although not a difficult section this seemed a long slow slog interrupted by a Ptarmigan who like the stags seemed not at all bothered by me. But they never do I love them.

Once I reached the plateau the weather was full on. The wind had increased but the telling factor was the temperature, I reckon the feel like wind effect was sub zero, at least my hands were telling me that was so.

The huge cairn appeared on the horizon, not the nicest walking across the boulders and I was happy to get there.

Hiding from the winds I took in the views which were monochrome but with the cold air the distance that could be seen was extensive and far further than should be the case for this time of year.

Ben Nevis in distance

Ben Alder range

The nearest hills were obviously Alder hills, Creag Meadaidh and onwards to Ben Nevis. But looking south I was sure I was looking at the Killin hills and SW the Glencoe mountains. Along with the Cairngorms to the north quite a viewpoint. But is was so cold I was not hanging about.

Creag Meadaidh & Laggan hills beyond

Track back to the parking area

On the descent I met a family who were the only other walkers on the hill today, as said earlier very strange for this time of the year.

About half an hour out the wind died and the temperatures soared. Of course I cursed that I was over dressed, zips opened, but it literally only lasted 15 minutes before it was windy and cold again, unreal.

Overall it was a good ramble. Despite my chestiness I was surprised to see that I had made such good time. Maybe one day it will be summer gear to enjoy.

Ascent: 651m

Distance: 13.4km

Time: 4.22

Wildlife: Ptarmigan; Meadow Pipit; Red Deer; Mountain Hare;

Three Newtonmore Munros a circuit in the clouds

Hill: Carn Dearg, Carn Sgulain, ""A' Chailleach
Category: Munros
Height: n/a
The forecast was for a miserable day, persistent rain and the resulting low cloud all day so not the best outlook for these 3 Munros.
It was raining when I drove to the start but surprisingly it was off when we started walking. A muggy wet day what gear to wear?

You can just see the trail in the gap

To start a pleasant walk up the track in Glen Banchor before heading right into the hills via Gleann Fiondrigh where we spotted our first deer of the day and our one and only golden eagle.

Remote already

The burn was still very low despite the recent rains and the enclosed hills gave the feeling of isolation and remoteness.

Turn left here at bridge

We seemed to complete a circular route around the hills before finally heading out onto the boggy peat moor. 

Carn Dearg ahead

On and off estate ATV tracks to follow but mainly heather moorland to negotiate but spirits are high and our first Munro is in sight. Its cairn prominent and close to the edge. But to get to it it's not across the peat hags, we go further into the glen towards its head before going left and climbing up the grassy slopes before reaching a stony track. On the rocks a raptor screeches, a youngster and an adult peregrine circles, watching us presumably.

This is meant to be the best view!!

A little further on and Carn Dearg’s cairn appears out of the mist. The rain was now fully on and with the low cloud no views from here as you can see from the cairn snap.

Old fence provides guidance

We now enter the second section of the walk a long six kilometre trudge across the rocky plateau. The clouds occasionally lifted for 5 minutes to give us a snapshot of the landscape but equally quickly descended into the gloom again. We mainly followed the old fence line and spotted two shapes moving past in the opposite direction, heads down into the rain and gloom.

The clouds lift a bit but not a lot to see

About half way along the plateau the rain had eased and more short term views appeared, giving a glimpse of the way ahead, easing the trudge a little.

Carn Sgulain

When we reached the 2nd Munro, Carn Sgulain and it really is an anti climax, a pathetic little cairn, the clouds down once more, is this it, the GPS says yes.

A short backtrack and then across the peat hags before descending sharply.

Peat hags over back to grass for 3rd top

 The burn is in clear sight, nice views up and down but of course the last top cannot be seen in the clouds.

A'Chailleach 2nd best views apparently

A last short steep climb and our final Munro of the day, A’Chailleach, is reached. The most impressive cairn of the 3 but once again nae views. 

Descent views opening up

Not long after starting the descent, you guessed it, the weather cleared and we had fantastic views across Badenoch all the way down, typical. The initially badly eroded track becomes better as you descend back to the car park.

A very long walk today but in good company. Disappointing with the weather but back to normality for hill walking in Scotland.

Wildlife: Red deer, Golden Eagle, Meadow pipits, Peregrine.
Time: 7.37
Ascent: 1137m
Distance: 24.7k