Ridiculous week part 7
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 5:51 pmUnlike the other walks on our great week at the Saddle Mountain Hostel, this was a quick solo effort on the way back down South. It was also the "odd one out" of the week's walks in that it was mostly a walk in the mist rather than bridgt sunshine! - but that said, it did have some nice views from Geal Charn, so I thought it was worth include. Reports of days 1 and 4-6 will follow at some point...
A blanket of low cloud lowered over Dalwhinnie and Drumochter but the forecast said that the layer of cloud was up to around 1000m. So with hopes of emerging from the clag and getting some views, I crossed the railway at Balsporran and headed up towards the mist. A nice cataract on the main stream is worth a short detour to the left of the track to look at it.
The route is very easy, and very easy to follow - just make sure that, when following the main track up the Allt Coire Fhar, you take the second track off to the right, after going over a small stream. The track becomes a path and just gradually rises up to a tall cairn, a smaller one and a stone-built seat. And suddently the mist ripped apart into bright sunshine and a view of A'Mharconaich.
IMG_9054 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
At one point on the summit plateau, there was also a glimpse of Ben Vrackie beyond the clouds.
IMG_9057 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The summit of Geal Charn was a wonderful viewpoint, with a vista of the summits beyond Loch Ericht.
IMG_9063 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
There appeared to be a remarkable symmetry between the Ben Alder and Geal Charn massifs either side of the Bealach Dubh.
IMG_9097 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Closer view of the bealach flanked by the Short and Long Leathas and Sgor Iutharn
IMG_9073 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
And Ben Alder by itself
IMG_9082 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Looking back to A'Mharconaich
IMG_9061 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
A closer view as I started to descend Geal Charn's south ridge
IMG_9089 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The south ridge itself - onwards and downwards into the mist
IMG_9086 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
I had noticed a number of pleasingly rounded boulders on the flanks of Geal Charn. This one was my favourite, with a great view of the "symmetrical hills".
IMG_9093 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
After that it was into the mist - down to the col, then I took a gradually rising line westwards into upper reaches of Fraoch Choire, heading for the 861m col at the head of that corrie. At that point I was thinking of adding in Beinn Udlamain but I began to realise that the cloud had become more extensive and there would probably be no view from the top. I decided to just go to A'Mharconaich and followed the broad ridge north-westwards to the summit.
The descent into the valley of the Allt Coire Fhar was very quick down a long slide of snow. Suddenly I came out below the mist and could see Geal Charn.
IMG_9100 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
On down the track - near the bottom I noticed this nice view of the Allt.
IMG_9113 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Pylons marching through Drumochter
IMG_9117 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The last photo of this set was taken a long way south on my journey home. Not really Walkhighlands territory but the scene does contain a glimpse of a 3000 ft mountain...
IMG_9121 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
A blanket of low cloud lowered over Dalwhinnie and Drumochter but the forecast said that the layer of cloud was up to around 1000m. So with hopes of emerging from the clag and getting some views, I crossed the railway at Balsporran and headed up towards the mist. A nice cataract on the main stream is worth a short detour to the left of the track to look at it.
The route is very easy, and very easy to follow - just make sure that, when following the main track up the Allt Coire Fhar, you take the second track off to the right, after going over a small stream. The track becomes a path and just gradually rises up to a tall cairn, a smaller one and a stone-built seat. And suddently the mist ripped apart into bright sunshine and a view of A'Mharconaich.
IMG_9054 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAt one point on the summit plateau, there was also a glimpse of Ben Vrackie beyond the clouds.
IMG_9057 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrThe summit of Geal Charn was a wonderful viewpoint, with a vista of the summits beyond Loch Ericht.
IMG_9063 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrThere appeared to be a remarkable symmetry between the Ben Alder and Geal Charn massifs either side of the Bealach Dubh.
IMG_9097 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrCloser view of the bealach flanked by the Short and Long Leathas and Sgor Iutharn
IMG_9073 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAnd Ben Alder by itself
IMG_9082 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrLooking back to A'Mharconaich
IMG_9061 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrA closer view as I started to descend Geal Charn's south ridge
IMG_9089 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrThe south ridge itself - onwards and downwards into the mist
IMG_9086 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrI had noticed a number of pleasingly rounded boulders on the flanks of Geal Charn. This one was my favourite, with a great view of the "symmetrical hills".
IMG_9093 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAfter that it was into the mist - down to the col, then I took a gradually rising line westwards into upper reaches of Fraoch Choire, heading for the 861m col at the head of that corrie. At that point I was thinking of adding in Beinn Udlamain but I began to realise that the cloud had become more extensive and there would probably be no view from the top. I decided to just go to A'Mharconaich and followed the broad ridge north-westwards to the summit.
The descent into the valley of the Allt Coire Fhar was very quick down a long slide of snow. Suddenly I came out below the mist and could see Geal Charn.
IMG_9100 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrOn down the track - near the bottom I noticed this nice view of the Allt.
IMG_9113 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrPylons marching through Drumochter
IMG_9117 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrThe last photo of this set was taken a long way south on my journey home. Not really Walkhighlands territory but the scene does contain a glimpse of a 3000 ft mountain...
IMG_9121 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr