Drumochter Circuit from Balsporran

[andrewdoggett]

It's a short and easy ascent from Balsporran Cottages (if a little boggy) to the summit of Geal Charn which just scrapes Munro Status... Not much to remark about this ascent; the views aren't great, but you get the benefit of a 420 metre headstart thanks to the height of the Drumochter Pass.

It started off dry but cloudy, and we (craigee) joined me for this one with Rocco (Whiskey's boyfriend while she was alive) and we were grateful for the good ol satmap which made progress quick and navigation easy between Geal Charn and A' Mharconaich

Along the ridge to Beinn Udlamain - perfect dog walking territory; high grassy wide ridges where Rocco was free to run about; and finally, if only briefly the clouds cleared...

We'd reached Munro 4 of the day (Sgairneach Mhor) and number 79 for me (20 for craigee) well inside four hours... Not sure why walkhighlands has these as two separate walks; I wouldn't dream of doing these hills in two outings except maybe in winter when deep snow could make it too long for a days walk. Nonetheless, a walk worth adding I think given most people seem to take on all four.

I can highly recommend roast beef with horseradish sauce - how good does that taste in the hills after 14 km or so!

Rocco having a spot of grub; and craigee on the summit of Sgairneach Mhor

Rocco being good; well hoping for some beef anyway... Gorgeous Black Labrador.. I love seeing dogs free to run about in the mountains

We fairly flew back to to Drumochter finding some long snow patches to motor down being preferable to bog or deep heather and the 4 km walk back to Balsporran beckoned... One last look back at Sgairneach Mhor on the right of this picture

On the way back to Balsporran; looking up to the summit of A' Mharconaich (I think)

And back at Balsporran Cottages... A lot of litter on / by the path back which was a shame, people obviously feeling the need to throw coke cans and the like out of car windows I presume; I don't think it likely this is 'walker' behaviour. This route nearly coined the circuit of death given in this stretch we saw a dead deer, buzzard, and mountain hare.

So that's me done with the Drumochter Hills; I'm extremely unlikely to climb them again; although I was disappointed today not to be able to see across to Ben Alder which this route had promised but the weather gods meant it wasn't to be!

Nevermind; onwards; I'll go see Ben Alder directly sometime...

The stats, just under six hours for the 23.6 km...

And the route...

2011 - 03 - 05 - Drumochter Circuit.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[ChrisW]

Great report as always Andrew, you made good time too.

Can't believe you took a jar of horseradish with you, most of us are out there weighing everything, trying to lighten the load and here's you with a jar of horseradish in the bag

Good to see Rocco getting a bite at the summit and I suspect (with that face) he got some beef too

[Alan S]

Good report there Andrew

Not sure why walkhighlands has these as two separate walks; I wouldn't dream of doing these hills in two outings except maybe in winter when deep snow

I did Geal charn and A' Mharconaich last saturday but i was struggling for time as the wife was on night shift and didnt want to take the chance being late,but wont mind a return as i enjoyed it here

I was disappointed today not to be able to see across to Ben Alder

Hope you dont mind me adding a pic but i got a half decent view last week

[gammy leg walker]

The satmap time never lies,but when I saw how fast you were round this four I had to do a double take took me that long to do only the first two

[andrewdoggett]

Hope you dont mind me adding a pic but i got a half decent view last week

Not at all; thanks; this was the view I was hoping to see