Geal Charn, from Dorback Lodge

[The Rodmiester]

From the Grantown on Spey Tomintoul I took the unclassified road South signposted to Dorback, at the end of the road parked up on the South side and was ready for the off by 1130hrs. Took the track in front of Dorback Lodge presently boarded up and passed in front of the kennel building with very noisy barking estate dogs.

The track in front of Dorback Lodge, makes for easy dry walking

Fancy display of antlers on the kennel buildings

After passing the estate buildings the track turns around to the right and heads South East and follows into a wooded area with an unlocked gate and cattle grid continue for about a half killometer and turn right and head off West towards the ruins at Upper Dell on your right is a new built shed

Just beyond the shed there is a not to difficult river crossing, soon after this you pass the ruins at Upper Dell

A good track takes you up the gradual slopes of the Braes of Abernethy. Soon another estate hut comes into view

The track falls down to the Dorback Burn where there are a few old Scots Pine and another river crossing to be made. The gradient now steepens as you head on up the open hillside with no path available, quiet hard going with thick heather at this point

Looking back the way I had come

Getting nearer the summit the slope flattens out and the heather growth not so deep and a fine view of Coire an Uillt Mhoir which is still holding some winter snow comes into view

Summit Cairn view

Summit Cairn view

Heading over East towards the other track seen on the side of Carn na Farraidh, pretty dry underfoot conditions as any peat hags are drying up quickly

View from the track I follow back to Dorback Lodge and the start.

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