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After the fun and games we encountered when we last ventured into this area, this was a much more sedate trip out, revisiting Ben Alder and onto Beinn Bheoil being our target.
- Beinn Bheoil & Ben Alder.
It was a decent morning as we set off on the bikes for Culra Bothy. Just over an hour easy cycling brought us to the lodge, bikes quickly stashed and we were off on foot.
- Lancet Edge.
We followed the main path, originally aiming for Long Leachas ascent. However, there was some low cloud moving across, so we decided to go to Loch a' Bhealaich Bheithe first, and decide on which mountain to ascend first. We have both previously climbed Ben Alder, so Beinn Bheoil was our main aim for the day.
- Short Leachas on the left.
Knowing of the Leachas ascents of Ben Alder, we plumped for Short Leachas, as the weather looked to be holding.
- Short & Long Leachas.
There is no difficulty in climbing the ridge, but it was fun nonetheless.
- Beinn Bheoil & Loch a' Bhealaich Bheithe
- From the Leachas.
Before long, we were on the plateau, about 1 km from the summit, with views over to the 4 Munros we did last year.
- Beinn Eibhinn & Aonach Beag.
- Aonach Beag & Geal Charn.
- Ben Alder summit.
Though the cloud was coming and going, in was still a pleasant day, so we made for Bealach Breabag. It took a while to locate the descent track but eventually we made it and stopped here for a break & refuel.
- The loch & Beinn Bheoil.
- Bheoil & Sron Coire na h-Iolaire.
- Our Ben Alder ascent route from the bealach.
Suitably refreshed, we set off on the obvious path, deciding we may as well visit the summit of Sron Coire na h-Iolaire before finishing on Beinn Bheoil.
- Bheoil from Sron Coire na h-Iolaire summit.
It isn't much of a detour, and there was some grand views of Loch Ericht from here.
- Looking up Loch Ericht.
It's an easy walk from here to Beinn Bheoil, with Ben Alder dominating the view.
- Looking back to Sron Coire na h-Iolaire.
- Into Garbh Choire on Ben Alder.
- Short & Long Leachas.
- Beinn Bheoil summit.
- Ben Alder plateau.
With no obvious path off the summit, we figured the sooner we hit the track we headed up on, the better.
- Loch Pattack.
The ground was pretty good and we were soon back at Culra, ready for an enjoyable ride out.