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Had a cracking if windy walk over these hills to Ben Alder cottage in strong winds and occasionally heavy rain. Left the hostel at about 10.30am forming a cohort of 3 people, 2 with big packs, one with a large bag of coal, and a severe forecast. Headed up the track towards Old Corrour Lodge before heading up the W side of the burn to meet the N end of the ridge. The cloud occasionally cleared for great views back to the hostel and the strong wind only galvanised our stomachs. Here, our trusty SYHA manager decided to do an 'Unro', assiduously avoiding the huge summit cairn by about 50m. We headed off to the NE to have a remarkable rapid lunch as the wind chill was fairly serious. Plugged on to Sgor Gaibhre along the well worn path with epic views particularly down Coire Eigheach.
- Ben doing a valiant 'Unro'
By this time we were getting pretty cold and wet, though the rain and cloud were lifting more permanently. We descended steeply from Bealach nan Sgor and headed directly E to Ben Alder cottage. The ground here was very wet defeating all manner of daft goretex boots from scarpa and mammut and yeti gaiters, but allowing us to wade directly through the Alder Burn without pansying about.
- Nick wading the Alder burn
Ben's valiant coal carrying proved useful that night as the temperature plummeted. Got to the cottage at about 5pm in the dark, missing one coal mule. He appeared later choosing an alternative river route. We shared the cottage with 2 chaps wearing camouflage but not, apparently, in the services. Our night's entertainment was Roald Dahl's 'The Great Switcheroo', a story about wife swapping that is entertaining and appalling in equal measure. We had an excellent day and night in great country even in dubious weather with a terrible forecast.