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As good as it gets in Drumochter

As good as it gets in Drumochter


Postby foggieclimber » Sun Dec 02, 2012 10:32 pm

Route description: A' Mharconaich and Geal Chàrn, Drumochter

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

Date walked: 02/12/2012

Time taken: 5 hours

Distance: 11.1 km

Ascent: 740m

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On looking out the hotel window this morning, the weather looked wonderful :D.

It was my intention to ascend a small Marilyn above Loch Tay called Drummond Hill. It only took about one second to decide that Drummond Hill could wait for another day - the weather was too good to waste on a viewless tree-covered molehill.

Last-minute decision time, what would I go up instead?

I checked the map for nearby Munros that I still required for my second round. Geal-charn and A’Mharconaich fitted the bill perfectly - a reasonably short day and on my way home.

I drove to, and parked at Balsporran Cottages, where there is a large car park.

I last ascended Geal-charn and A’Mharconaich together with Beinn Udlamainn and Sgairneach Mhor, back in the summer of 1998.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

From the car park, I undertook the standard anti-clockwise circuit of Geal-charn and A’Mharconaich

Not going to say anymore about the day, other than it was really enjoyable and the views were excellent.
Geal-charn must be one of the easiest Munros, with maximum reward for minimal effort.

I'll let the photos tell the rest of the story.

Balsporran Cottages:
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Geal-charn:
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An Torc and A’Mharconaich:
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Ascending Geal-charn:
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Looking back towards Balsporran Cottages:
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View towards Glen Feshie:
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Looking across to A’Mharconaich from cairn en-route to the summit of Geal-charn:
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Looking towards the summit of Geal-charn from the cairn at 840m:
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Looking back towards Creagan Mor and 840m cairn:
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The Fara, Loch Ericht and Creagan Mor:
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View from the summit of Geal-charn:
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Looking across to Loch Ericht and Ben Alder from cairn:
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Ben Alder and Ardverikie Forest Munros:
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Culra Bothy (zoom):
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Long and Short Leachas ridges of Ben Alder (zoom):
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Loch Ericht and Ben Alder hills from a short distance below the summit cairn:
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Looking back to Geal-charn:
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About to ascend A’Mharconaich:
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Ascending A’Mharconaich:
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Loch Ericht from A’Mharconaich:
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Ben Alder Lodge (zoom):
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Airplane (zoom):
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Rime-covered fence post:
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Schiehallion (zoom):
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Looking towards the summit of A’Mharconaich:
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Snow-covered small summit cairn of A’Mharconaich:
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Looking towards large cairn from small summit cairn:
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Descent from A’Mharconaich:
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Looking back at initial descent from A’Mharconaich:
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Geal-charn from A’Mharconaich:
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Descent towards Balsporran Cottages:
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Approaching Balsporran Cottages:
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I hope there are many more days like this this winter :D.
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Re: As good as it gets in Drumochter

Postby The Rodmiester » Sun Dec 02, 2012 10:44 pm

Hi foggieclimber, like you I did my second round of these two this year after my first visit here in 1991. Some cracking photographs you have :D , that must be some zoom lens you have there, I like the one of Ben Alder Long and Short Leachas, and Ben Alder Lodge was nothing like that in 1991 either, bit of money spent there! These hills are very underestimated when there is a bit of snow about some wonderful views available, like you say Drummond hill, keep it for a less inspiring day :) .
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Re: As good as it gets in Drumochter

Postby jupe1407 » Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:24 pm

Lovely pics.

I think we might have been the three in front of you there. Did you set off just after 8:15 or so?
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Re: As good as it gets in Drumochter

Postby foggieclimber » Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:33 pm

jupe1407 wrote:Lovely pics.

I think we might have been the three in front of you there. Did you set off just after 8:15 or so?


Thanks. No, I started walking at 09:15.
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Re: As good as it gets in Drumochter

Postby jupe1407 » Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:35 pm

foggieclimber wrote:
jupe1407 wrote:Lovely pics.

I think we might have been the three in front of you there. Did you set off just after 8:15 or so?


Thanks. No, I started walking at 09:15.


Ah no worries. You might have been the group we saw at the Geal Charn summit from halfway up A'Mharconaich

Cracking day :D
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Re: As good as it gets in Drumochter

Postby ChrisW » Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:36 pm

That's another absolute stunner Foggie, what a spectacular day, as you rightly say too good to waste on a little tree covered lump. Beautiful photos :thumbup: :-D
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Re: As good as it gets in Drumochter

Postby foggieclimber » Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:52 pm

ChrisW wrote:That's another absolute stunner Foggie, what a spectacular day, as you rightly say too good to waste on a little tree covered lump. Beautiful photos :thumbup: :-D


Thanks Chris

jupe1407 wrote:Ah no worries. You might have been the group we saw at the Geal Charn summit from halfway up A'Mharconaich

Cracking day :D


I was a group of one 8)
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Re: As good as it gets in Drumochter

Postby Alastair S » Mon Dec 03, 2012 9:40 am

Fabulous stuff :clap:

I was out on Saturday morning but the conditions weren't nearly so good.
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Re: As good as it gets in Drumochter

Postby BlackPanther » Mon Dec 03, 2012 11:54 am

Drumochter hills attracted Walkhighlanders on Sunday! We were on The Sow - we saw people on the summit of A’Mharconaich, and on the ridge as well - the hills were definitely busy! :D
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Re: As good as it gets in Drumochter

Postby rockhopper » Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:41 pm

you're right there foggie, certainly was a great day yesterday - too often do we see photos of these hills in the clag and rain so it's great to see them in such clear, wintry conditions - cheers :)
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Re: As good as it gets in Drumochter

Postby ScottishLeaf » Mon Dec 03, 2012 8:36 pm

We were on the southern two of the 4 west of Drumochter and I am sure we could see you walking on Gael Charn from Udlamain! Was a cracking day.
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Re: As good as it gets in Drumochter

Postby Collaciotach » Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:20 pm

Belting Pics gu dearbh :D
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Re: As good as it gets in Drumochter

Postby Bod » Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:59 pm

Sure was a day for Drumochter Foggie! Great photos, and that's some zoom into Culra bothy :D :D :clap:
(We were across the glen climbing Meall Chuaich sharing the day with you and many others, what a stunner, got a fine scuptured fence post shot too!)
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Re: As good as it gets in Drumochter

Postby morag1 » Tue Dec 04, 2012 4:14 pm

Really enjoyed your report and photos, well done :clap:
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Re: As good as it gets in Drumochter

Postby PeteR » Wed Dec 05, 2012 12:07 am

Stunning photos :D Perfect conditions for these hills :D
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