Three Days at Culra Bothy

[pgrizz]

This report covers two trips to Culra bothy in the Ben Alder EstateThe first visit was in October 2009 and the second in April 2010 but I will write this report (my first Scotland Report) as If it was 3 successive days. Dates and walk statistics will be given in the text.
Day 1. The walk in: Dalwhinnie to Culra Bothy.1st October 2009 (14.75 km, 452 metres ascent)

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Parked near Dalwhinnie Station and followed the estate road along Loch Ericht frustratingly being overtaken by Estate vehicles. We were obviously appearing to be enjoying the walk so much that no ride was offered!!
The track eventually began to lose its appeal but after Ben Alder Lodge we climbed away from the Loch and over towards Loch Pattack on a rougher track: more like it. Following a path which headed off over the moor we followed the Allt a' Chaoil - reidhe upstream to a bridge and Culra Bothy, our "home" for a couple of nights.

Loch Ericht

Track across the moor: Ben Alder (centre)

No need for a map

Culra Bothy and Ben Alder

Culra Bothy

A reasonable night in the Bothy which has three rooms, ours had raised sleeping benches which made for a decent nights sleep.
Day 2. Ben Alder and Beinn Bheoil.2nd October 2009 (15.2 km, 1147 metres ascent)
Weather wet and cloudy but we set out hopeful that it would clear a little as the day wore on: how wrong we were!!

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Followed the stream the Allt a' Bhealaich Bheithe, then crossed it for the ascent of the Long Leachas Ridge which is a pleasant low grade scramble in places. As we approached the summit of Ben Alder the weather deteriorated and never got better. A soggy descent to the head of Bealach Bheithe was followed by an ascent of Beinn Bheoil. The ridge felt as if it would give good views but I could not tell as visibility was not good.After summiting we descended back to Culra.
The night was one of the worst weather wise I have encountered: not a lot of sleep with storm force wind and rain battering the seemingly botched together, but ultimately sturdy bothy. Next morning, as planned, we headed back to Dalwhinnie.

Towards Loch Ericht from the lower slopes of the Long Leachas Ridge of Ben Alder

Loch Pattack from The Long Leachas Ridge of Ben Alder.

The Long Leachas Ridge of Ben Alder

Summit of Ben Alder

Me again, this time on Beinn Bheoil

Day 3. This was not the following day but the second day of my next trip to Culra Bothy in April 2010. The first day was obviously the same as the previous visit so no pictures, map or description except to say that the weather did not bode well! Once again how wrong can you be.
Three Munros via the Lancet Edge of Sgor Iutharn 22nd April 2010 (14.4 km, 1270 metres ascent)

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Morning dawned fine and an early start saw us heading off to climb the Lancet Edge of Sgor Iutharn. The temperature dropped significantly as we climbed the narrow ridge eventually summitting the peak in freezing, but clear weather.
As we headed towards the top of our main summit of the day, Geal- Charn, we met just about all types of weather except, thankfully, rain, the tops were covered in snow and the views were excellent. We then headed west to Aonach Beag before doubling back on ourselves to cross Geal charn's plateau and descend the crags to a col: the descent is steep but easy enough.
The ridge now heads for the minor top of Diollaid a' Chairn then onto the final summit of the day, Carn Dearg. Excellent views of the Ben Alder Ridges before heading straight down the hillside back to Culra. The Bothy was filling up so we ate and packed up to do the long walk back to Dalwhinnie.
Never have I been so pleased to see a car!!!

Track to Sgor Iutharn

Lancet edge, Sgor Iutharn

Lancet Edge (2)

Summit of Sgor Iutharn, Temperature had dropped significantly

Towards Geal-Charn's Summit

Geal-Charn

Aonach Beag

If we had not wanted to do The Lancet Edge Beinn Eibhinn would have been our first munro but time meant this was to be left for another day.

Beinn Eibhinn viwed from Aonach Beag.

Carn Dearg

Lancet Edge and Loch an Sgoir

Me on the final summit: Carn Dearg

Ben Alder (r), Beinn Bheoil and the Bealach Bheithe with its Loch of the same name from the descent of Carn Dearg.

[skuk007]

Smashing set of photos there pgrizz. That Lancet Edge ridge looks like it could be fun in the wind and rain.

[pgrizz]

Smashing set of photos there pgrizz. That Lancet Edge ridge looks like it could be fun in the wind and rain.

Thank you for that. The Lancet edge is straight forward but yes would be "interesting" in a strong wind.