Mishaps and magic on the Culra 4.

[mamoset]

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It was time for our first bike / hike for a while, and true to form, it didn't go according to plan Parked in Dalwhinnie, near the old hall on a glorious morning, were soon ready and set off on the road alongside Loch Ericht. All was good, until, about 4.5 miles in, for some unexplained reason, the derailleur on Simo's bike decided to get tangled in his rear wheel We dumped it in the trees, ready to pick up later, and proceeded on foot, with me pushing mine until near Loch Pattack for later. Not to be put off, we headed on the path for Culra Bothy, with plenty of cyclists on good bikes going by

Beinn Bheoil to Carn Dearg.

The mighty Ben Alder, not today though.

Sgor Iutharn and Geal Charn.

It was really warm in the valley bottom, but we made decent time heading for Bealach Dubh high point.

Loch Ossian from the bealach.

After a stop for food and re=apply sun cream, the yomp over land began, heading round Sron Ruadh and making for Coire a' Charra Bhig. This was the hardest part of day, quite relentless over uneven ground, but at the same time, it's good to be off the regular tracks at times.

Ascent route.

Finally, after around 5 hours, we reached the ridge. We dumped our packs here, and headed straight up to Beinn Eibhinn.

The ridge to Beinn Eibhinn.

Beinn a' Chaorainn & Creag Meagaidh from the ridge.

Finally, we reached the first Munro, Beinn Eibhinn.

Beinn Eibhinn summit.

The Ben.

It now felt like the hardest part of the day was over, so with renewed energy, we headed straight off for our next stop, Aonach Beag.

The route to Aonach Beag & Geal Charn.

45 mins later, we stood atop Aonach Beag.

Aonach Beag summit.

Had a quick chat with a group who were doing the same 4 as us, but in the opposite direction. We had discussed that route, but we would rather come off the last Munro nearer to "home", hence the longer walk in. I'm sure both routes have their merits.

Looking back to Beinn Eibhinn & Aonach Beag.

It is lovely ground to walk on up here, and again it didn't take long to reach Geal Charn.

Geal Charn summit.

It was really hot now, and we were glad of a bit of descent to take us into a bit of shade, ready for Carn Dearg.

Carn Dearg & Loch an Sgoir.

It's a loose path leading down, before you head over the Munro Top of Diollaid a' Chairn and on to Carn Dearg.

Platform stone.

Loch an Sgoir & Sgor Iutharn crags.

Carn Dearg summit.

Had a bit of a siesta here, before making our way down, heading straight for Loch Pattack.

Beinn Bheoil & Ben Alder.

Beinn a' Chlachair.

Loch Pattack doesn't look that far!!!

Loch Pattack.

Geal-Charn, A'Mharconaich & Beinn Udlamain.

Reaching Loch Pattack was bliss, but we still had to get the broken bike back to the car. I left Simo and cycled back to the car wondering if I could drive back and pick him and the bike up As luck would have it, I bumped into a forestry worker and explained my predicament to him. Seemingly unimpressed, he drove off, but as I approached the tunnel, I noticed he was waiting, and when I reached him, he gave me the 4-pin code to raise the gate What a man!! So, I got the car and headed straight back along the track, meeting Simo at his bike. Later than expected, but happier, we headed off home, where more woe befell us, as I had a run-in with a badger at 50mph. Luckily (for me at least) the damage to my car was not too bad, don't know how the badger fared

[Mal Grey]

Excellent stuff, hills I've not yet got to.

You could probably sell that 4-digit code for £50 a go to tired walkers coming out who have one fast member of the party they could send to fetch the car; you certainly could have done for a group we met at Newtonmore Hostel who'd been over the Fara in winter and then had to walk all the way back out

[mamoset]

Excellent stuff, hills I've not yet got to.

You could probably sell that 4-digit code for £50 a go to tired walkers coming out who have one fast member of the party they could send to fetch the car; you certainly could have done for a group we met at Newtonmore Hostel who'd been over the Fara in winter and then had to walk all the way back out

Cheers Mal. That's not a bad idea for the code, except I can't remember it