West Drumochter four

[johnbythell]

West Drumochter Four 22 June 2024.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

After completing the Inverar four Munros a couple of days earlier, I headed further north towards my main goal, Ben Alder, but decided to stop off near the Drumochter Pass and do the four Munros west of the A9. Despite being the same distance (though a bit shorter ascent), this round went a lot easier, mainly because I was following the 'normal' route this time and well-established paths the whole way, except for the final descent off Sgairneach Mhor, where I lost the plot a bit.

Passing the Balsporran Cottages B&B shortly after leaving the car park off the A9. Weather looking promising ahead.

Looking south down the Drumochter Pass from the lower slopes of Geal Charn. It was a long pull up out of the glen

Looking back northeast towards the Cairngorms from the shoulder of Geal Charn

Ben Alder and Loch Ericht from the summit of Geal Charn

Loch Ericht from the shoulder on the descent from Geal Charn - beautiful morning

The steady climb up the broad ridge of A' Mharconaich

A' Mharconaich summit

Lonely boulder on the shoulder of Beinn Udlamain

Beinn Udlamain, with a reproduction of (or the original to?) the summit cairn on Meall Garbh, 23 km to the south

Some soggy bits at the bealach between Beinn Udlamain and Sgairneach Mhor

Arriving at the summit of Sgairneach Mhor

Sgairneach Mhor

Starting the descent down the northeast ridge

Somewhere on the descent I got suckered into following a higher path and when I finally took the plunge and tried to find the correct route, spent a good 20 min wandering around the pathless heather and bog slopes above the Allt Coire Dhomain

Crossing the footbridge after finally getting back on track

Passing under the rail bridge (Johnson's Bridge, apparently)

All that was left was a 4 km walk back along the A9 to the Balsporran car park along the cycle way. A bit of a trek, but I was entertained to be welcomed to the Highlands along the way. I guess I left the Highlands somewhere up in the bog on the way down, so it was good to be back..

A really enjoyable day, which didn't seem anything like as demanding as it looked on the map and walk stats.