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After a comfortable night at Tulloch Station Lodge, we had a short drive along the A 86 to Luiblea road end. Plenty of places to park along here before getting booted up. The early part of the track was busy with forestry traffic and vehicles for the stone crushing works nearly. However, once clear of that, we only saw one other walker all day. After the hot sunshine of yesterday, the cloud cover came as a bit of a surprise, but it did make for more pleasant walking conditions.
The excellent tracks make of a quick approach to these hills.
- Approaching Binnein Shuas
- Looking north to Moy Forest
- Approaching Lochan na Earba
The lochan seemed like a good spot to have a break, I had camped there with my daughter many years ago on a very midgey night, but no such problems today - give it a few weeks and they will be back!
- The shoulder of Creag Pitridh from the lochan
Lochan na Earba has always struck me a being big to be called a lochan, but it is a beautiful spot.
- Looking east along the lochan
- Binnien Shuas
Having left the lochan, we swung round to pick up the excellent stalkers' path that leads right into these hills. The Estate has also provided a couple of posts at this point where bikes can be locked. The path makes the going easy up the steady slopes to the col with Beinn a'Chlachair and from there we headed north to the Creag Pitridh/Geal Charn col. Another quick break here before heading to Creag Pitridh. Although there is no path marked on the map here, one has been beaten out by walkers' feet. In no time at all we were at the top of this lovely Munro.
- Beinn a'Chlachair from Creag Pitridh
- Looking down to Lochan na Earba with the Tulloch munros behind
- Creag Meagadh above Loch Laggan
- Binnien Shuas
Back to the col by the same route then the not too long pull up to Geal Charn. The initial slopes are grassy, but are replaced by boulder fields higher up. However, the stones are well rooted and easy enough to walk on.
- Approaching Geal Charn
The cairn at Geal Charn is rather splendid, complete with built-in seat!
- The Geal Charn cairn
A cracking view at the top - particularly to the south where Ben Alder is the immediate focus, but Schiehallion and the Lawers range can be seen. These are hidden by Geal Charn when on Creag Pitridh.
- The view south, Schiehallion to the left
- Looking west from the summit
I made my way back to the stalkers' path and the start of the walk out.
- Beinn a'Chlachair from the path
It was now brightening up and the walk down the path to the lochan was very pleasant.
- Returning to the lochan
A final cup of tea at the lochan, then the walk back along the track to the car.
- A last look at Beinn a'Chlachair
- Almost back!
An excellent day on a beautiful group of hills.....my fifth trip here and not a drop of rain!