Culra Bothy Munros

[Fairweather Softie]

Hi All,

Planning on camping here next weekend, never wild camped before so a bit daunting to be honest. Going to cycle in from Dalwhinnie as I will be carrying a big bag.

Has anyone been recently? Are the midges horrendous? I drink loads of water normally is there lots of opportunities to get water higher up the hills?

Planning on arrive at 09:19 at Dalwhinnie station, cycle into bothy, set up tent, climb Ben Alder and neighbour on same day. Overnight camp then the 4 on other side next day, back to tent, pack up and cycle back for last train at 2000 or ideally if I get early start I could catch 1621 from Dalwhinnie. Basically a 1 night camp. Is this achievable?

[simon-b]

Is it the wild camping experience you are wanting, or is that a means to an end for climbing the mountains? With a bike, you could manage Ben Adler and neighbour from Dalwhinnie in one day. Then the North Adler 4 could also be done in one day, from Luiblea. Let me know if this is of interest to you, and I could reply with details of the latter route. I did these two routes in a day each on foot, so they should be well manageable with an MTB, and no extra weight for camping. Otherwise, enjoy an asbestos free wild camp!

[Fairweather Softie]

Hi Simon,

Not overly fussed about camping its just a means to a end to get hills done over 2 days without crazy early drive from Glasgow. I bought the tent 4 years ago and its only been used once at a campsite.

[prog99]

They are also very doable from loch Ossian hostel over two trips. Take a bike to get along the loch.
That’s how I did them first time around.

[simon-b]

Hi FS.

Here is an account of my trip to the North Alder 4, if it is of any interest to you.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=56293

Good luck, whichever choice you make!

[Arthurs Eat]

I did pretty much what you are proposing though I did the four to the north first. I walked in, set up camp, did the four, camped got up did the other two and walked out. I wish I had cycled though. I camped by the river, plenty of water. Just take a filter/puritabs. Perfectly do-able

[Fairweather Softie]

Thanks for advice everyone, going to stick with plan of camping. Think I will take Arthurs Eat's advice and do the 4 hills on 1st day, it will give me a fighting chance of making the 1621hrs train home on the Sunday. My luck will be seeing it depart just as I arrive and having over 3 hours to wait till next one!

[Csm8]

Thanks for advice everyone, going to stick with plan of camping. Think I will take Arthurs Eat's advice and do the 4 hills on 1st day, it will give me a fighting chance of making the 1621hrs train home on the Sunday. My luck will be seeing it depart just as I arrive and having over 3 hours to wait till next one!

Apart from the initial uphill cycle on the way back, its a much faster ride out to Dalwhinnie than it is in the way!

[rockhopper]

Like you, I also recall debating how to cover these six. Camping was an option but I'd just take the tent with me as I couldn't be bothered going out then back in again. In the end I opted just to cover them off in one long trip. You could also cycle in early, set up camp, walk the six, back to camp and take it easy going out the next day ?
Not sure if it's any use but link below may help ?
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=23453

[Alteknacker]

I think that what you propose is eminently possible.

I cycled in one evening, and did the Munros the next day (albeit a somewhat longer route than you are proposing).

If you're interested, this is my report, and you can see the timings on the pics.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=74925

The place I camped is absolutely superb.

[Sunset tripper]

Worth doing the Lancet Edge if you can fit it in somehow.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=80749

[Fairweather Softie]

Thanks for suggestions and advice. 6 in a day might work if things are going well on day 1, suppose we will wait and see start time after pitching tent, its getting dark about 2100hrs now so might be pushing it a bit. It would be a very relaxed cycle out on day 2.

Took be 25mins to pitch the tent in the garden on Monday night, should have been less than 10

Thanks again everyone, just hoping for 2 dry days next weekend.

[Sgurr]

We did what you are proposing. The midges were horrendous at that time, moreover son had given us some damp proof matches, and we were in too much of a hurry (midges) to work out that you had to scrape the wax off them before striking, so retreated into tent to drink cold water and raid the next day's sandwiches. Once safely inside, we thought that someone had set up camp about 10 metres from us, and husband popped head (and back) out to investigate. Turns out that sound carries and they were about 300 metres away. Once back in the tent, his once bare top had a complete pyjama jacket made entirely of midges, which I had to destroy.

Sorry, no link to trip report, as we had done all the Munros before discovering any online sites.


Enjoy your trip.

[ScotFinn65]

I think the Fallon site has a route proposing almost the same as you suggested.

Route seems the same but timings slightly different.

https://www.stevenfallon.co.uk/guide-alder.html

[Giant Stoneater]

You could also do late train to Dalwhinnie 6pm or 7.30pm walk to Culra,next day Ben Alder,day after early start 4 Munros walk to Corrour train station 6.25pm train that's what I done.