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Druimuachdar 4

Druimuachdar 4


Postby JimboJim » Tue Jun 16, 2015 11:04 pm

Route description: A' Mharconaich and Geal Chàrn, Drumochter

Munros included on this walk: A' Mharconaich, Beinn Udlamain, Geal-chàrn (Drumochter), Sgàirneach Mhòr

Date walked: 09/06/2015

Time taken: 5.6 hours

Distance: 25 km

Ascent: 1100m

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After usual bit of dithering over weather, we opted for the Drumochter 4, over the Creag Meagaidh hills. Was it the right decision? Well, we certainly got a warmer, sunnier day than we bargained for!
Anyway, the lads opted to take bikes to ease the return two miles up the A9, but as per the previous bike effort, not all went smoothly! What could go wrong this time! Aside from spotting Big Jesper's bike had a flat, while loading my bike onto the roof-rack, not a lot. A quick swap for another of my bikes and we were sorted, though the value of this change was debated at a later point :)
We dropped the bikes off at the lay-by on the A9, where one can see the "Druimuachdar Pass" sign, before heading onwards to the substantial parking area at Balsporran Cottages.
Drumochter 4 103_1024_645.JPG
Druimuachdair Pass. Towards Sgairneach Mhor.

Having crossed the railway line, we contemplated why crossing here is legal/safe when there seems to be many trains using the line, but crossing at Ben Lui, where there seems very few, is deemed illegal? Anyway, just watch you take the right path, up towards Geal Charn, though adjusting is no problem, when you take the wrong one, as we did! It is a bit splashy going up here, but not much of a problem and we reached the top in one hour. Good views over Loch Ericht and Ben Alder.
Drumochter 4 015_1024_682_1024_682.JPG
The lads at the first summit, Geal Charn.
Drumochter 4 011_1024_768.JPG
Loch Ericht from Geal Charn.

We then dropped south off Geal Charn, into Coire Fhar, before turning east following a rough path up to the ridge to the north of A' Mharconaich, then climbing up the rim of the corry, to the summit, some fifty minutes later.
Drumochter 4 038_1024_768_1024_768.JPG
Ben Alder.
Drumochter 4 028_1024_766.JPG
A'Mharconaich, towards Ben Alder.

From here, is a fairly flat, but longer stroll SSW'ly, before a gradual rise to the summit of Beinn Udlamain, highest of the four at 1011m, taking just over the hour. The views to the west are great and there was some wildlife to keep us company too, such a hare, deer, ptarmigan and dotterel, I think?
Drumochter 4 039_1024_768_1024_768.JPG
En route to No.3
Drumochter 4 055_1024_768_1024_768.JPG
Coming off Beinn Udlamain.

From here we dropped south, across a large snowfield to Coire Dhomhain, before turning east for a fairly leisurely walk to Sgairneach Mhor, which was livened up somewhat by the large cornicing and snow still filling the corry below.
Drumochter 4 087_1024_768.JPG
Jasper gettin' a bit twitchy!
Drumochter 4 085_1024_768.JPG
Slightly more relaxed?
Drumochter 4 067_1024_768_1024_768.JPG
No.4, and or, 97!

After the mandatory photo's, we continued along the lip of the corry, before descending NE'ly, back down to Coire Dhomhain, where a new bridge now spans the river. The descent was much enlivened by Big Jesper taking the odd nose dive, or two. Thanks for the laughs, Charles :lol:
We were back at the bikes, which were still sitting intact in just under five and a half hours. It was here, I realised we could have managed with the one bike, as Big Jesper would have been the ideal candidate to have ridden back to Balsporran and come back to pick me up, but like he said, he can be forgetful, so maybe just as well, I tagged along the two miles, or so back to Balsporran, before spilling the bike, giving BJ a good laugh :lol:
Drumochter 4 025_1024_628.JPG
The A9 - and pylons!

Another fabulous trip, bringing the 100 within touching distance and a wee sherbert quenching the thirst in Killin, rounded things of nicely :D
Drumochter 4 107_1024_755.JPG
Sherbert.
Drumochter 4 106_989_768_989_768.JPG
Non alcoholic sherbert!
Attachments
Drumochter 4 081_1024_668_1024_668.JPG
Drumochter 4 021_1024_768_1024_768.JPG
Lip of the corry, A' Mharconaich.
Drumochter 4 027_1024_757_1024_757.JPG
A' Mharconaich. No.2
Drumochter 4 036_1024_768_1024_768.JPG
Distant Ben More and Stob Binnein.
Drumochter 4 070_1024_768_1024_768.JPG
Another one for ma genarians. Oh dear! (It was hot, honestly!)
Drumochter 4 040_1023_768_1023_768.JPG
Oh deer.
Drumochter 4 071_1024_768_1024_768.JPG
2+2 = 2 x 2 Simples!
Drumochter 4 102_1024_768_1024_768.JPG
What would this trap be used for?
Drumochter 4 029_1024_660_1024_660.JPG
Alder & other Geal Charn?
Drumochter 4 031_1024_767_1024_767.JPG
Any ideas? A dotterel?
Drumochter 4 088_1024_768_1024_768.JPG
Coire Creagach and me.
Drumochter 4 100_1024_768_1024_768.JPG
Sgairneach Mhor.
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Re: Druimuachdar 4

Postby gaffr » Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:14 am

Male Dotterel..... I think that the females are darker. Well the ones I have come across on the Moine Mor are.
If it is on Grouse shooting land for control of the Stoats. Maybe they don't like getting their feet wet/muddy and will prefer to run along the log. :lol:
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Re: Druimuachdar 4

Postby JimboJim » Wed Jun 17, 2015 11:04 am

gaffr wrote:Male Dotterel..... I think that the females are darker. Well the ones I have come across on the Moine Mor are.
If it is on Grouse shooting land for control of the Stoats. Maybe they don't like getting their feet wet/muddy and will prefer to run along the log. :lol:


Thank you, Gaffr. Always good to know what you have been seeing on one's travels. I think we did see grouse too, now that you mention it. There were some grouse shooting butt's at the start of the hike up Geal Charn, though whether they are ever used, is another matter.

Which Moine Mhor do you mean, by the way? There is one near me.

Jimmy
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Re: Druimuachdar 4

Postby Big Jesper » Wed Jun 17, 2015 5:24 pm

The Drumochter 4 seem to get a lot of bad press but on a day like that can't understand why. They would also be great hills for a winter walk.
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Re: Druimuachdar 4

Postby JimboJim » Wed Jun 17, 2015 7:13 pm

Big Jesper wrote:The Drumochter 4 seem to get a lot of bad press but on a day like that can't understand why. They would also be great hills for a winter walk.


In good visibility!
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Re: Druimuachdar 4

Postby Wanderlust7 » Sun Jun 21, 2015 4:17 pm

Nice one gentlemen, I had a great day out here in Dec 14, but had to do the lonely walk up the A9.

When are we going to hook up again with Big Jesper to see you both into triple figures?

Ben Alder on the bikes, 5 Aonach's round the ridge or even better we could have a big day in the Cairngorms and tackle Braeriach to the Devil's Point would safely see you both over at 100 blue balloons?

Look forward to see you both soon.

Steve
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Re: Druimuachdar 4

Postby ancancha » Sun Jun 21, 2015 7:17 pm

Nice photos of the cornices slumping down :clap:

I saw a similar trap in the Allt a 'Choire Dhirich behind the Carin Well, it didn't look loaded, so stuck a walking pole in it and something sprung although not very powerfully

trap.jpg
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Re: Druimuachdar 4

Postby jac the lassie » Sun Jun 21, 2015 11:36 pm

Cracking report! Still a weird amount of snow floating about for June. Almost in the hundreds now :clap:
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Re: Druimuachdar 4

Postby JimboJim » Wed Jun 24, 2015 1:38 pm

jac the lassie wrote:Cracking report! Still a weird amount of snow floating about for June. Almost in the hundreds now :clap:


Thanks, Jac. Yeh, hope to make the ton soon, but weather not helping. Hoping to get away tomorrow somewhere, if you/anyone interested? Possibly looking at An Stuc, or Glencoe?
You're fair racking them up yerself. Overnighter's too! Well done. :D
Wanderlust7 wrote:Nice one gentlemen, I had a great day out here in Dec 14, but had to do the lonely walk up the A9.

When are we going to hook up again with Big Jesper to see you both into triple figures?

Ben Alder on the bikes, 5 Aonach's round the ridge or even better we could have a big day in the Cairngorms and tackle Braeriach to the Devil's Point would safely see you both over at 100 blue balloons?

Look forward to see you both soon.

Steve


Cheers, Steve. BIG days. Mind my wee legs! :( I needn't worry with big guys like you and Jaf to carry me :D I'll mail you some possible days in July.

Jas.
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Re: Druimuachdar 4

Postby ancancha » Wed Jun 24, 2015 3:00 pm

Occurs to me that maybe these traps are to catch adders :?:
If so that is very naughty of the gammies :evil:
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Re: Druimuachdar 4

Postby jamesb63 » Wed Jun 24, 2015 5:15 pm

Greta report JJ the weather aslo great :D well done on the walk
do you have any GPS for this walk ?
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Re: Druimuachdar 4

Postby jac the lassie » Wed Jun 24, 2015 6:04 pm

JimboJim wrote:
jac the lassie wrote:Cracking report! Still a weird amount of snow floating about for June. Almost in the hundreds now :clap:


Thanks, Jac. Yeh, hope to make the ton soon, but weather not helping. Hoping to get away tomorrow somewhere, if you/anyone interested? Possibly looking at An Stuc, or Glencoe?
You're fair racking them up yerself. Overnighter's too! Well done. :D
Wanderlust7 wrote:Nice one gentlemen, I had a great day out here in Dec 14, but had to do the lonely walk up the A9.

When are we going to hook up again with Big Jesper to see you both into triple figures?

Ben Alder on the bikes, 5 Aonach's round the ridge or even better we could have a big day in the Cairngorms and tackle Braeriach to the Devil's Point would safely see you both over at 100 blue balloons?

Look forward to see you both soon.

Steve


Cheers, Steve. BIG days. Mind my wee legs! :( I needn't worry with big guys like you and Jaf to carry me :D I'll mail you some possible days in July.

Jas.


Afraid I'm on the Saturdays weather permitting only just now till middle of next month. :(
Have a great out tomz!
Jac :D
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