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More fine weather last week so I took the opportunity to visit the 4 Munros north of Ben Alder and include the Lancet Edge leading up to Sgor Iutharn. I had cycled up to Culra recently for a day trip around Ben Alder and Beinn Bheoil, so knew what to expect. Once again I parked up at the Dalwhinnie filling station and paid the small fee for a days parking and set off about 8:30am. I've been cycling a bit more recently and this time the 16 km felt a lot easier.
- From the approach track.
I took the route across the moor rather than round by Loch Pattack and reached Culra in 1hr and 20 minutes, 15 minutes quicker than last time which I was pleased with.
After leaving the bike beside the bothy, I headed west up the very good path towards the Bealach Dubh. Sgor Iutharn looks very impressive on the approach, a sharp peak with the Lancet Edge ridge leading up.
- Sgor Iutharn and the Lancet Edge ridge
After about 2km, just after crossing the Allt Loch an Sgoir I left the path and headed directly for the first rocky outcrop on the ridge. I did a bit of optional scrambling up these rocks then continued up the ridge. It is steep, but all scrambling can be avoided until about 880m. From 880m to 950m there is some essential but easy scrambling, then as the ridge narrows its more of an airy walk up to the top of Sgor Iutharn.
- Final part of Lancet Edge leading to summit of Sgor Iutharn
I have to admit being slightly disappointed by the Lancet Edge as I was expecting some more sustained and exposed scrambling, but nonetheless it was quite entertaining and allowed a fairly rapid ascent onto the Geal Charn plateau. With Culra being at 450m, there is of course less height to gain compared to a walk from sea level.
From the top of Sgor Iutharn, I headed due west, dropping down into the Leacann na Brathan, then traversing around the higher part of the Geal Charn plateau roughly following the 1080m contour to reach the ridge between Geal Charn and Aonach Beag where there is a clear path. This short cut missing out the summit of Geal Charn probably didn't save much time, but the going was easy underfoot and although pathless, there was a natural line to follow. Once on the path, it was just a case of following the ridge, dropping down initially then climbing back up Aonach Beag.
- Summit of Aonach Beag looking across to Beinn Eibhinn
Next, on to Beinn Eibhinn, a moderately steep descent to the south west on a slightly eroded path, then a climb back up, following the ridge as it curves west to the summit of Beinn Eibhinn. The Harvey map has the eastmost top of Beinn Eibhinn as the Munro summit, but as the west top is only another 50m along, I checked in there as well just in case. There was a stiff breeze keeping things cool enough up here, but plently hazy sunshine, so very pleasant conditions.
Now time to retrace my steps. When planning the walk, I thought this might be a bit of a chore, but the ridge never drops below 950m and the climb back to Aonach Beag and then to Geal Charn is quick and easy on a clear path, with great views over to Ben Alder, so quite pleasant. I met a few other walkers en route, certainly not busy though.
- Geal Charn summit
The Geal Charn plateau is remarkably flat and very nice to walk on, just dry moss and tussocky grass. From the summit cairn I headed north east tending to east in the approximate direction of the Aisre Ghobhainn ridge heading off the plateau to Carn Dearg. No need to follow a path, just a stroll across the nicest underfoot conditions I think I've encountered on a Scottish mountain. The edge of the plateau is abrupt and fairly steep, but a path appears as the exit route is approached, and then picks its way down through the rocks with no difficulties.
- Looking down into Loch an Sgoir
The path continues on a relatively gentle climb over Diollaid a Chairn then drops to the lowest ridge height of about 880m, and so on to the summit of Carn Dearg. The last section is over stoney terrain which gives some variety.
- On Carn Dearg looking across to Ben Alder
From the Carn Dearg cairn, I continued north east along the ridge for about 1km until the path petered out, then headed due east down steep grassy slopes towards a small lochan. After making my way over level ground with some peat hags by the lochan (not too bad), it was straight down over steep and fairly rough ground towards Culra bothy. There may have been a path, but I didn't find it until near the bottom. The going was easy enough though and I was back at the bothy 6hrs 15mins after setting off on foot. Quite a few tents had appeared, and I met more campers heading up on my return cycle, so it was going to be a busy evening around Culra.
After taking some time to cool my feet off in the Allt a'Chaoil-redhe, I cycled back to Dalwhinne in a record 1 hr 5 minutes! I went across the moor again and was helped by the stiff tail wind. A good day out, and I actually caught a bit of sun.
This route was a similar distance to the circular route up Carn Dearg and down from the bealach between Beinn Eibhinn and Aonach Beag as described on WH guide. A little more up and down, but the ascents are short and sharp, and not particularly tiring. The Lancet Edge does provide a more interesting route up I think.
