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Good weather in May was proving hard to come by, so when a small window of opportunity came along, Big Jesper and Jimbo, quickly made plans to head for Carn na Caim and A' Bhuidheanach Beag, just south of Dalwhinnie. Usual early start about half five a.m., and think it took us about 2hrs 20m, to get there, via back roads from Kenmore, after a wee stop in Inveraray for a photo of interest for me.
- HMS Sutherland, early morning, off Inveraray, Loch Fyne.
We weren't expecting the most dramatic of hikes and don't think we were disappointed on that score, though as always, there are moments, places, sights to enjoy, or marvel at. One marvel is the track up the hill which leads more or, less to the plateau. Even I can't get lost on a road/track like this. As mentioned the 'disused quarry' isn't very distinctive, but obvious enough when not covered in snow.
- The disused "quarry."
Reaching the top took just under the hour, then it is a toss of the coin; heads, or tails, for left or, right? We headed left for Carn na Caim, where the track remains pretty level and quite solid much of the way, before beginning to fade and bifurcate here and there. Very easy going but, on a foggy day would be very easy to lose one's way up here, unless your navigation is spot on. About half hour later we were at the cairn. It gave us a distant look at Meall Chuaich and some more distant, snow topped hills, but nothing too spectacular.
- Big Jesper, Car na Caim.
Being a bit chilly for May, we didn't linger long and retraced our steps south, where the track continues towards A'Buidheanach, where we passed a large bank of snow, which caught our attention, for a closer look on the way back, perhaps.
At the cairn here, a small pebble 'arrow' directs one left, or south eastwards, to follow the best route, across and down into a hollow, before ascending up to A'Buidheanach Mhor, on the plateau once more, leaving one guessing where the top may actually be, as the eye searches for anything resembling a summit, although the top is only a few hundred yards away. Took us an hour and ten, of not very hard work, to get to A'Buidheanach Bheag from Carn na Caim. At least now there were better views to the Drumochter four, Ben Alder, Scheihallion and hills to the west.
- Ben Alder
- Me and A'Bhuidheanach Bheag.
Again, we didn't loiter long and made our way back, where I just had to take a closer look at the bank of snow, at where I think is marked Coire Bhotie, on the map? Reminded me of the massive sand dunes we used to play on as a boy, in North Uist!
- The snow 'dune.'
- Taking a closer look.
- It's big - but, not as steep as it maybe looks.
- Looking over the snow bank, to Sgairneach Mhor and A'Mharconaich.
Briefly met another walker here, as we returned to the downward track, where we could admire the view of Dalwhinnie, Loch Ericht - and miles of massive pylons and wires, before getting back to the car in 4hrs, 20m.
- Dalwhinnie and Loch Ericht
- Sgairneach Mhor, A'Mharconaich - and pylons.
Not the most spectacular of days, but we were glad to have done it on a relatively clear day. The alternative would have much interesting, for those who like a navigation challenge!