A9 detours

[Benaden887]

Creag Ruadh 3km 330m 1h
Dalwhinnie 0600h. Shockeroonie After clear skies last nite, there`s a white clag on the A9 as inversion rolls up and over the Drummochter Pass. I park at gr673891 layby - gear up and cross a fence into white mist A surreal short walk leads to a sharp uphill climb. Having previewed the route up last nite when it was clear, I need neither map or compass but take them anyway. The weather icy cold - with a stiff NE wind, I`m wrapped up in full winter mode. There`s ground frost higher up as I crunch thro deep heather to grass then moss. The going eases as I near the top and the cairn is hard to miss as the air clears. Below a cotton cloud blows N up the A9. I can see tops of hills done years ago, the rest hidden in a haze. A brilliant sun in a clear blue sky I take a wee swallow then a swift return thro the clag to the welcome heat of the car. Seen enroute not a thing.

Blath Bhalg 6.80k 330m 2.10h
The clag has gone as I motor down the A9 and trade it for the A924 at Pitlochry. From road`s high point, I park at the radio mast - gear up then follow a feint av track to reeds then uphill over deep heather, easy going. The track bends E then climbs the W side of Dalnacarn crag a wee dip to rise up for the twin tops ahead. A bit of down and up of 30m then on to the cairn top where 3 fences meet. A piece of what looks like rail track and rock marks the spot. There are super views of NW Beinn Vrackie and beyond it,Beinn a Glo and the higher Cairngorms further N still covered in snow.and forestry SE.
This has been a bag an tag outing, pleased with those I climb in good weather for a change.
Seen enroute, Mountain hares now brown deer birds and sheep.