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For my second drive up to the hills since passing my driving test I was again looking for fairly close Munros with an easy drive. My eyes were soon following the A9 up the map and it seemed only fitting I should finally drive up this way after many slow and difficult bus journeys and train rides. I parked up in a layby off the road and looked to the horsehoe circuit I was planning - Sgairneach Mhor, Beinn Udlamain (what a great name for a hill) and A'Mharconaich.
- Sgairneach Mhor
I walked under the train track and up the landrover track to a rather posh bridge leading to the heathery slopes of the first hill, Sgairneach Mhor. I couldn't find a path so just picked my way across heather until arriving at the north east prow where a muddy path was worn.
- A'Mharconaich across Corrie Dhomhain
I soon reached the flatter summit, getting chased by what I presume was a Grouse, although difficult to tell - my ornithology not being up to much.
- Bad photo of a cheeky bird
The wind pepped up a bit here, obviously annoyed that it was warm for a moment further down. It was quite brisk and chilly. I had my sandwiches and coffee at the curiously flat and satisfying summit.
- Summit of Sgairneach Mhor
There's something quite nice about being up high and seeing the rounded hills all around you on the skyline rather than sharp summits and drops.
I continued on, with a cracking view of Ben Alder which I had to stop and admire. There were plenty of shower clouds to add drama to the scene, my camera doesn't pick out the sense of height and size of Alder.
- Ben Alder
I carried on, across the Bealach marked Carn 'Ic Loumhaidh (another great name) to 'the gloomy hill'. More good views down Loch Ericht and I could see my route of a few years ago, doing a multi-day trip round Culra bothy to Ben Alder Cottage and back out to Dalwhinnie.
I had more sandwiches and coffee at the giant cairn and continued on pleasantly high slopes to the next Munro, A'Mharconaich.
- A'Mharconaich with old dead grass snow marks around the corrie.
This was not as good a summit as the other two and also brought closer the knee crunching descent down to the track again, which right enough crunched my sensitive knee. I gritted my teeth and told myself I would do more strengthening excerises for the knee when I got back. Halfway down I heard people shouting. Quite a surprise as I hadn't seen anyone all day. Turns out it was a couple looking for their dog. I hope they found the poor wee chap, i didn't didn't see sight nor sound.
My Scarpa boots starting punishing my little toe joint on the way back, but all in all a lovely high level route. Kind of glad I didn't include the Corbett on the round..although it seemed a shame to miss it out.
Certainly a walk of amazing views of the Ericht hills.
- My favourite photo of the walk - across Coire Dhomhain to Sgairneach Mhor.