Beinn Udlamain and Sgairneach Mhor

[railton22]

Driving to the start we saw extensive flooding along the Spey floodplain due to the previous day's deluge. The Spey with burst banks is quite a sight.
Anyway, back to the walk....we missed the start point but David's art of driving with GPS helped us to get the correct layby (on the west side just after the dual carriageway ends if heading southbound).
The walk started with intermittant clouds which made for great photo opportunites (especially the sun shining on dark clouds). The sow and boar on either side of the walk in path were impressive and we had fun fording the swollen burn (had to rearrange a few large rocks to get across). The path was very pleasant to walk and soon we came to the second of two spanky bridges (the first leads up to the sow). Path was great until it ran out abruptly to become the mother of all bogfests on the slopes of Sgairneach Mhor. Proper munro-bagging, this, with the dog turning "bogtrotter brown" in a matter of minutes.......we didn't look much better.

Once on Sgairneach Mhor ridge, the going became much easier with views of the impressive crags of Coire Creagach coming into view nicely. In two shakes of a lamb's tail, we found ourselves at the summit cairn and the clouds parted to give some far reaching views in all directions.

A bit too parky to stop for a lunchbreak we headed off along the bealach to the head of Coire Dhomain, however we cheated a wee bit and somehow clipped the corner. Glad that we did, as we came across a magnificent antlered stag with three hinds in tow. We could hear the stag bellowing before we spotted him and heard him on and off for the remainder of the time that we were on the high ground.

Near the summit of Beinn Udlamain the clouds closed in rapidly but not before we got some great views of Ben Alder looking quite spectacular in the Autumn sun. The Fara at Dalwhinnie looked pretty stunning too.

The descent from Beinn Udlamain was as steep and heathery as described in WH but fun nonetheless. Completing this double bag, we returned to the car without coming into contact with one drop of rain or meeting another soul. A truly wild walk.

Walked by Sarah(33), David(33) and Nudge

[dooterbang]

Great to be out walking at times and have the hills to yourself.

I remember this being boggy also...must get your dog some gaiters

[railton22]

Great to be out walking at times and have the hills to yourself.

I remember this being boggy also...must get your dog some gaiters

Dog gaiters on the top of his Christmas list