Ben Alder, Jetboil, and The Rab Alpine 600 Sleeping Bag

[andrewdoggett]

I was itching to test the new gear and get a wilderness fix... The plan was the Fisherfield 5/6 but the weather forecast wasn't great so instead Craig and I decided on my unfinished two at Ben Alder from Dalwhinnie...

The cycle in on Saturday afternoon was tough, into a strong wind, and neither of us had done anything on the bike in some years, but no matter, in an hour and quarter or so we were at our chosen pitch just to the north of the Bothy on an Island in the River...

With the Hilleberg pitched it was now down to serious Business... 4 bottles of red wine; testing the Jetboil Titanium Stove; and then sleep in the new Rab Alpine 600 Bags that weigh only 1 kg... Lightweight gear is great; more allowance for wine

So the Jetboil passed, we reckoned about 35 seconds to boil the water for the Spag Bol - incredible...

The wine passed, we went through all of that...

The Jetboil; Spag Bol; and Top Gun...

And I can honestly say the Rab Alpine 600 is the most comfortable and warm nights sleep I've ever had in a tent. It was epic!! Buy one...

The Rab Alpine 600 Sleeping Bag - Big Thumbs Up...

A touch of snow overnight, and a view of the frosty pitch at 6 am...

Early Morning; A Touch of Frost

Decided against the Long Leachas; we'd had fresh snow; I knew it was a scramble, and we had the woofer, so round the back and up it was... No matter though walking past the loch was gorgeous...

Leitir nan Leac with Sron Bealach Beithe

It's a steep ascent up to the plateau ridge but nothing uncomfortable and then you're greeted with the sight of the drama of the cliffs to the east...

Cornices on Ben Alder Plateau Ridge

It's then an easy 1.5 km walk to the summit where there's nothing uncomfortable, pretty flat all in all...

Me on the summit of Ben Alder

The summit of Ben Alder

Retracing our steps and the next target came back into view; and from here on the weather just got better and better

Looking toward Beinn Bheoil

The Descent is to the left of this... Worry not!

Loch a' Bheallaich Bheithe

My favourite pic of the day looking toward Beinn Bheoil; proper wilderness; miles from anywhere. No evidence of human presence, and not a soul in sight... Perfect

Loch a' Bheallaich Bheithe & Beinn Bheoil

The walk up to Beinn Bheoil is nothing and you'll be there in no time... A nice little ridge with nothing uncomfortable; straight forward walking and no scrambling.

Looking back toward Sron Coire na h-lolhaire from the ridge of Beinn Bheoil

The final climb to Beinn Bheoil

Scraggles on the summit of Beinn Bheoil

The great expanse to the North East; and out route back... Looking stunning in the sunshine...

The view North East... Lock Ericht and the long route home to the right

Looking back at Ben Alder

Back at the tent - we didn't see anyone in the hills today despite the weather being so nice - though we were lucky with that - the four munros to the west were shrouded in clag all day...

Back at the Hilly... And the route home and the snow shower that just passed over us...

There are numerous places to pitch your tent here; I prefer to stay away from the Bothy at Culra - I like drifting off to sleep with the sound of a running river...

The Pitch and Ben Alder in mid afternoon sunshine

So all in the walk @ 22.5 km - then time for the cycle back...

The Walk Stats...

After the cycle back...

Plus the Cycle Back to Dalwhinnie...

And the route for Sunday only... But the cycle in obviously the same as the cycle out so this is all you need...

2012 - 03 - 04 - Ben Alder.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[Bod]

Nice one Andrew, quite a trip there. I love hearing the river too as I drift off into a fine sleep ...

[fraochydug]

how much room in the tent? enough for two without having to be too intimate? as in, enough for 2 to move around in?

[quoman]

Quality report Andrew,4 bottle of wine i would still be in the tent sleeping never mind climb 2 munros.

[monty]

Nice report Andrew. Thats quite a cycle in which I will have to do at some point in the near future. Looks cosy in the Rab sleeping bag. Nice to see a dusting of snow on the hills. 2 bottles of wine each

[Tomsie]

Stunning photo's

[craigee]

Cheers for the great report Partner – and thanks for your supreme navigation and organisation as always.
What an epic adventure that was. If anyone fancies total wilderness then this is place for you. My first venture into Ericht/Laggan and I can’t wait to head back in and bag some more. As for the bike ride in – ouch !

A couple of points:-

• 4 bottles of red wine - you forgot the 2-tins of Strongbow!
• Maximum speed = 49.1Kph – That’s a touch over 30-mph. Expect an appropriate points endorsement from Highland Constabulary. You were freewheeling as well, so with a little effort you could have breached the 40mph barrier! We lost Rocco at a touch over 25kph!
• Best Spag Bol in the world

Rocco was absolutely and utterly wrecked last night. This morning however, at 6am, he’s up and woofing to go again !
Until next time ....
Slanj
Scraggles

[PeteR]

Nice report of these hills, which I still have to do. So it's good to hear what others think of the routes up and down. Enjoyed your pictures too, with the snow making a (probably brief) reappearance.

Good to hear the positive feedback on the Jetboil too. It's on my shopping list

[ChrisW]

Cracking report and pics Andrew - helluva distance covered too. Nice to see some snow around

[andrewdoggett]

Nice one Andrew, quite a trip there. I love hearing the river too as I drift off into a fine sleep ...

Thanks Bod - look forward to catching up at the end of the month in Kintail! No more walk-off's with Monty though, got the kids is my excuse...

how much room in the tent? enough for two without having to be too intimate? as in, enough for 2 to move around in?

I think plenty roomy enough - we had a black lab aswell (Rocco)

Quality report Andrew,4 bottle of wine i would still be in the tent sleeping never mind climb 2 munros.

The wine nearly did for Scraggles; he was struggling up Ben Alder

Nice report Andrew. Thats quite a cycle in which I will have to do at some point in the near future. Looks cosy in the Rab sleeping bag. Nice to see a dusting of snow on the hills. 2 bottles of wine each

Thanks Monty - YOU could do all six easily enough in one outing without camping especially with a cycle in - there's very little descent / re-ascent involved on the four to the west after the initial climb up. Good to camp though, and get a wilderness fix, nice by the river

The Rab Sleeping Bag really is the business - you should get one for your 'love truck'

Cheers for the great report Partner – and thanks for your supreme navigation and organisation as always.

Pleasure - thanks for coming along and carrying the wine!! A good trip - Poor Rocco - 22.5 km and we're back at the tent, he's excited because he knows it's home; then we pack up and he has a 14km run behind the bike... What a dog

Nice report of these hills, which I still have to do. So it's good to hear what others think of the routes up and down. Enjoyed your pictures too, with the snow making a (probably brief) reappearance.

Good to hear the positive feedback on the Jetboil too. It's on my shopping list

Thanks Pete - nice hills these - so far into the wilderness they're usually empty also... All six are good in my view, for that reason alone

Get the Jetboil!! 300 grams, jeez!

Cracking report and pics Andrew - helluva distance covered too. Nice to see some snow around

Thanks Chris - mostly good paths here, plus the cycle in so distance not really an issue.

[kevsbald]

Fabulous report - I considered taking my Beolit 12 on my next trip...who can take the most luxurious item on to the hill, I wonder?

[starrynights]

I'm planning on taking a leg of lamb and a solar powered rotisserie on the Liathach walk - plus a nice bottle of Château de Chasselas. Think that's reasonably luxurious!!