Loch Ericht duo - summit camp and sunrise

[rockhopper]

Date: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May 2016

After being on the Gaick corbetts earlier in the day, needed somewhere to spend the night. Drove up to Dalwhinnie with a plan to camp overnight on the The Fara. This was to be the first trial of the new Exos 58 after Osprey had replaced the previous one due to a couple of faults. The padding looked thicker but the new one doesn’t have the rather handy two external vertical zipped pockets which were useful for items such as waterproofs. Happy to say that it passed the test.

Had some food in Dalwhinnie, managed to get parked near the level crossing as people were starting to leave, packed up the rucksack and headed off on foot towards loch Ericht. It had turned into a nice evening; met quite a few walkers/cyclists heading back to their cars.

Got to the fire break then started steeply up the hill side. Quite tired so even slower than usual.



Zoomed to track up A’ Bhuidheanach



Distillery



Meall Chuaich



Straightforward walk to the cairn avoiding some bouldery sections on the way



Wandered over to the rocky outcrop at the summit (corbett #100) then set up the tent close by – the wind was making it a little chilly at this point



Wandered around taking pictures of the sun as it got lower – not a great sunset due to excess cloud unfortunately.







Retired for the night then back up just after 0300hrs to see the pre-dawn light. Too much light in the sky before then to capture the stars.





Then back up again around dawn

South east direction



Sunrise













Ben Alder to Loch Laggan hills











Time for breakfast



Northwards



Creag Meagaidh



Beinn a’ Chlachair



Moon



Packed up and got ready to go







Back down to the fire break then a nice walk along the side of the loch and back to the car



Too early to head back home so got the daysack ready and drove back down the A9 to the Trinafour turn off then along to Bridge of Ericht for Stob an Aonaich Mhoir.

Managed to get parked just off the road close to the start of the track. Some cyclists passed by before I set off also on the bike. They had stopped a little further up at a junction- initially headed off left before stopping and turning round. Said hello to them then off up the hill.

Dam on Loch Ericht



Good camouflage



Hard going at times but eventually reached the high pint of the track. Locked the bike up then set off up the hill side. Some nice views on reaching the summit.

Ben Alder



Loch Ericht



Towards Glencoe



Achallader and Loch Lyon hills (I think ?)



Up the loch



The Fara



Glencoe – zoomed





Selfie



Had some lunch then reluctantly set off back towards the bike.

Puddock



A little after starting back down on the bike, met the five cyclists from earlier. They were taking time to enjoy the trip and had had some lunch already.



Back at the car, got changed and started off back towards the A9 and home. Stopped for a quick photo on the way.

[Collaciotach]

A good trip , like the Loch photographs ...off to réad your Gaick report now

[litljortindan]

Great set of pictures. Maybe no sunset but still interesting light through the gaps in the cloud and a bit of a fiery sunrise too.

[kev_russ]

Braw summit camp Need to do more summit camps like

[ancancha]

Some nice photos there Rockhopper, liked the sunset one's even though not fiery reds etc, pleasant viewing even sitting in the chair in front of the screen; sure the view was much better being there
Last one good as well

[dooterbang]

Looks like summit camp season has arrived

[Borderhugh]

Fantastic sunrise shots. Think I will be giving the Fara a vist at some point

[rockhopper]

cheers all

am slowing up these days, finding the corbetts tougher than the munros in some ways, especially trying to join them up - shorter summit camps make it a bit easier though - cheers

[Guinessman]

Some excellent early morning shots there.

like Hugh I've felt the need to get onto the Fara.

[Cairngorm creeper]

Looks amazing and your photos are great, especially puddock.