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The BIG 3 tame the WEE 4, plus 1

The BIG 3 tame the WEE 4, plus 1


Postby The Rodmiester » Fri Sep 28, 2012 7:11 pm

Route description: A' Mharconaich and Geal Chàrn, Drumochter

Munros included on this walk: A' Mharconaich, Beinn Udlamain, Geal-chàrn (Drumochter), Sgàirneach Mhòr

Corbetts included on this walk: The Sow of Atholl

Date walked: 27/09/2012

Time taken: 6 hours

Distance: 19.6 km

Ascent: 1213m

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After dropping off second car at layby on A9 we drove North to start walk at Balsporran Cottage. We had three options available dependant on weather conditions, 1. Two Munros 2.Four Munros and 3. Four Munros and a Corbett. we were hoping it would be the latter if our legs held out as the weather was looking promising. We bumped into 'old danensian' in the car park and were to be leading and following all day. Gavin Russell and myself set of at 0925hrs, in dry no wind to speak of and with all mountains clear of cloud. :D

Great day was had by all with new frendships gained, whoever said these hills were boring, great views, great company, great fun :D

For some reason the photographs have been downloaded finish to start, ooooooops!
1.JPG
Gavin and Russell at the Balsporran carpark
2.JPG
Ready to head to the railway crossing
3.JPG
After crossing the railway we take the landrover track missing the first path on the right and taking the second
4.JPG
Path pretty good so far
5.JPG
But soon the path is very muddy and wet
7.JPG
Higher up we pass of what remains of three cairns, so prominent they were you could see them from the A9, I think the other two were removed about ten years ago
8.JPG
After the cairn the route flattens out until we reach the another cairn prior to reaching the summit shelter which is the top of Geal charn, our first munro of the day
9.JPG
The first cairn on the summit
10.JPG
The summit cairn with views down Loch Ericht, and to the North Ben Alder and Loch Pattack and Culra bothy
11.JPG
When walking down the South ridge, looking back you can see Ben Alder Lodge on the shore of Loch Ericht
13.JPG
Looking down the length of Loch Ericht
14.JPG
View South you can see where the next hours walking will take you A'Mharconhaich on the Left and Beinn Udlamain on the Right, with easy underfoot conditions
15.JPG
Nearing the crest of the ridge looking North
16.JPG
After leaving the rucksacks on the point of entry to ridge, it was easy walking to the Summit cairn shelter
17.JPG
Heading over to Beinn Udlamain following what remains of a rusty metal fence line which is followed to the summit. The cloud is starting to drop below 1000m
18.JPG
Fine shelter cairn with stone seats and even stone tables to take your cuppa's and foodstuffs. Another meeting with 'old danensian, but did not hang about as it was getting cold since the cloud was down
19.JPG
After following the fence posts down to the bealach and turning SE up the NW shoulder of our fourth munro, which was wet underfoot at the start but soon turned grassy with the odd rock until we came to the summit Trig point. The BIG THREE posing for a photograph at the top.
20.JPG
An easy descent down a path to the bealach where there was an escape route North to the landrover track in Coire Dhomhain. With the weather still holding we decided to head for the lump at 758m and continue SE to the South of the gully between the lump and The Sow of Atholl
21.JPG
The gully between The Sow of Atholl and the 758m top
22.JPG
old danensian approaching the cairn on the top of The Sow of Atholl
23.JPG
For the descent we travelled North over spongy grass which actually gave a good grip although being quite steep, futher down the face it turned heathery, and even the river crossing was no problem even with the amout of rain that fell earlier in the week
24.JPG
The landrover track in the Coire Dhomhain, which took us under the railway and back to the A9
25.JPG
The FRY UP at the Ballinluig that we were thinking about all day, it never touched the sides!!
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Last edited by The Rodmiester on Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:22 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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The Rodmiester
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Re: The BIG 3 tame the WEE 4, plus 1

Postby madman » Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:24 am

Cracking day, looking forward to the next wee dander in to the wilderness :clap:
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Re: The BIG 3 tame the WEE 4, plus 1

Postby Gavin99 » Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:03 pm

Looks like you had a grand day for it , some lovely views . That fry up was well deserved :D
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Gavin99
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Re: The BIG 3 tame the WEE 4, plus 1

Postby The Rodmiester » Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:06 pm

How was your trip to Monadh Mor?
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The Rodmiester
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Re: The BIG 3 tame the WEE 4, plus 1

Postby Gavin99 » Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:10 pm

A long day but worth it , must ask Santa for a bicycle :)
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Gavin99
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Re: The BIG 3 tame the WEE 4, plus 1

Postby old danensian » Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:28 pm

Well captured Rod - and thanks for the company.

The "great"s must be for capturing the fry-up as well as the photo report.

OD
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old danensian
 
Posts: 453
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Re: The BIG 3 tame the WEE 4, plus 1

Postby The Rodmiester » Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:47 pm

:lol: :lol: :lol: I must get back to the hills again SOON!
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The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
Munros:107   Corbetts:196
Fionas:45   Donalds:13
Sub 2000:76   Hewitts:3
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Joined: Aug 15, 2012
Location: Newbigging

Re: The BIG 3 tame the WEE 4, plus 1

Postby Johnny Corbett » Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:53 pm

Fine day for it, i did this lot in two outings due to bad weather. Looks a good walk :)
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Johnny Corbett
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Re: The BIG 3 tame the WEE 4, plus 1

Postby The Rodmiester » Sat Sep 29, 2012 11:05 pm

JC, I did them in two outings over twenty years ago, and to be honest I cannot remember too much about them, although I do remember there was a fair bit of snow on the ground as it was December and January when we did them, but there was not a lot of visibility on either occasion. Thought they would make a good high level walk with views, as it turned out to be. Good day out, took lots of photographs, and burnt off some calories. Also recommend adding the Sow of Atholl at the end, makes the Fry UP taste even better :lol:
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The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
Munros:107   Corbetts:196
Fionas:45   Donalds:13
Sub 2000:76   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:1   Islands:17
Joined: Aug 15, 2012
Location: Newbigging

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