Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.
Geal Charn and A'Mharconaich
by Driver84 » Sun Jun 13, 2010 6:31 pm
Date walked: 10/04/2010
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We'd set off and there was quite a lot of cloud in the sky, but the forecast had said it would clear so here's hoping: particularly as a biting wind hit us as we walked in from Balsporran Cottages (which we had previously driven past - the plural threw us!)
- A'Mharconaich and Geal Charn
We made our way over the railway and continued along the path, crossing the small burn. Navigating using the map we helped a fellow walker who had printed off a map and didn't have longitude numbering. And soon as we gave him what he needed he shot off in front of us and before long was out of sight. By now the wind had died off and the body temperature was starting rise which meant a de-layering was required.
The path had now faded but a clear "track" was now visable up the slopes over quite boggy ground which was becoming quite an effort to get across.
Around half way up we passed a single fence post, which we had been using as a stop marker.
- Meall Chuiach
As it turned out we didnt stop and shot past it, now aiming for the prominent cairns which were now visable on the false summit. A little relieved as we hit the lower plateau and made very quick ground over the snow field and up over the rocks to the summit.
The sheltered cairn brought some much needed shelter from the now permanent icy wind as we sat and enjoyed a piece and some liquid. Putting on the soft shell, hat and gloves I could now embrace the wind and enjoy the great views over Loch Eircht.
- Girls dad at summit of Geal Charn
- looking toward Ben Macdui
- Ben Alder region
- Beinn Bheoil & Ben Alder
Photo's taken it was time to head off again and we descended down the surprisingly snow covered south face of Geal Charn.
- Girls dad (Rosythally) coming of Geal Charn
- Me coming off Geal Charn
Looking to head up A'Mharconaich we considered going up via Beinn Udlamain. We took ourselves along the track ,and followed what looked to be recent foot prints in the snow, and made our way over some deep snow: the girls dad flew over them but nearly every second steep I took I sank into it to my upper thighs. The sun was now fully out, and the skies were almost fully clear, and with the wind now abscent a delaying was now required as the temperature appeared to soar. As we made our way into Froach-chorie we looked up to Beinn Udlamain but we were put off by the cornices now above us. So we back-tracked a little to Coire fhár and made our way up to A'Mharconaich.
- Bheoil & Alder again
Soon we were on the some what boggy plateau and strided out to the small cairn.
- A'Mharconaich plateau
Time for another eat and drink stop.
Again the views were superb and could be enjoyed without the biting wind.
- Schiehallion
- the distant Lawers region
- girls dad on A'Mharconaich
While the girls dad was enjoying the views I decided upon a small cat nap, soaking in the great weather.
- me napping on A'Mharconaich
Having now been awakened we started our descent down the NE slope, firstly taking a slight bearth around the cornice,
- descending off A'Mharconaich
- A'Mharconaich
before flying over the open ground before fighting our way through the thick heather to the bank of Allt Coire Fhár trying to find a suitable crossing place but it appeared to be in a form of spate, pressumably from all the melt snow. After much searching we found a place that looked suitable, although a little precarious, and with the use of the walking poles and with the last leap of faith we had crossed it and made our way up the short distance back to the track we had started on. A quick clean of the boots as we crossed back over the burn then a quick return down the path and over the rail line and back ot the car where looking back, these two 'bland' mountains looked quite striking.
- A'Mharconaich
- Geal Charn
Last edited by
Driver84 on Sun Jun 13, 2010 9:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Driver84
- Mountaineer
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- Posts: 90
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Munros:46
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Fionas:1 Donalds:2
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Sub 2000:2
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- Joined: Apr 8, 2010
- Location: Rosyth
by monty » Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:08 pm
Nice report. Its amasing that there is still snow up there. I hope you enjoyed your nap.
Nice couple of pictures too.
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monty
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by Driver84 » Sun Jun 13, 2010 9:41 pm
Apologies there people, I did that walk in April. I didnt realise that saving a draft report didn't save the date walked.
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Driver84
- Mountaineer
-
- Posts: 90
-
Munros:46
-
Fionas:1 Donalds:2
-
Sub 2000:2
-
- Joined: Apr 8, 2010
- Location: Rosyth
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