09.00 - 19.45, 30km, 1350m. Drumochter Hills, Scotland.
Occasional clouds, base above 1500m, winds light, 6”-8” of fresh snow with crust generally too weak to bear my weight, some neve exposed on north-west slopes, moon nearly full! Graham McCulloch joined me in the morning and went as far as A’ Bhuidheanach Bheag. Dalnaspidal Lodge, Druim Coire Mihc-sith, Glas Mheall Beag, Glas Mheall Mor, A’ Bhuidheanach Bheag, A’ Bhuidheanach, Carn na Caim, A’ Mharconaich, Meall Chuaich, descent via south-west ridge to bridge, Cuaich. Physically hard day due largely to the soft slab. Met up with some lasses cross-country skiers, and walked out with them along the track after Meall Chuaich. Their car wouldn`t start, so I helped get that going. They gave me a lift to Wade Bridge where I was supposed to meet Graham, who wasn`t there due to me doing Meall Church and being late. Then had a lift into Dalwhinnie, where I found him chatting to the police officer having called out mountain rescue! All okay had a pint and headed to Kingussie YH.
Area :
Loch Rannoch to Newtonmore (Beinn Udlamain)
This area is listed in the SMC Munros Guide as ‘The Drumochter Hills) and covers the hills and mountains between Loch Rannoch and Newtonmore. Loch Ericht forms the western boundary and Glen Tromie the eastern boundary, with the Pass of Drumochter (the A9 and the Highland Main Line) dividing the area in two. Among the seven Munros in this area, only one is over 1000m (Beinn Udlamain is 1011m).
