
Bike 5km + 120m, 11km + 850m, bike 5km. Loch Laggan, Highlands
A86 GR433830 (10.00), bike to GR464810 near Lochan na h-Earba (11.00), followed track to Bealach Leamhain before heading up Geal Charn, across to the deleted top Sron Garbh 1023m, cut down to Loch a Bhealaich Leamhain, back up the bealach, cut north across Coire Pitridh to descend north of the streams, down the track to the bikes and back to the van (16.45).
A shortish walk with James Telfor on a day of shity weather with very strong winds, sleet, hail, white outs and a rapid thaw! Crossing the stream took some care as it was coming into spate. We had the wind on our backs most of the time on the way up, with the usual wind driven particles of ice. Struggled to actually reach the cairn of Geal Charn due to the wind, had to resort to pulling myself up by frozen rocks. Got across to the top before heading back into the teeth of the gale, very slow going and hard work. Decided to drop down towards Loch a Bhealaich Leamhain to reduce the battle with the wind only to find ourselves having to descend deep snow which frequently gave way beneath us up to the crutch. Still hard work and very frustrating. We then had a battle with the wind to regain the bealach. We cut across the head of the streams to come down their north side so we didn't have to cross them lower down, which was a wise move as they were impassable without having to wade across and get very wet. All in all a tough day, with spells of brutality and the occasion of blue sky!
Area :
Loch Treig to Loch Ericht (Ben Alder)
Often referred to as the Central Highlands, this area covers the mountains between Loch Treig, Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan. Access is commonly from the A86 or the Corrour Halt stop on the West Highland Railway. An impressive fourteen Munros are scattered across this area (four of which are over 1100m), and included in the mountains list are all of the peaks above 600m. Ben Alder is often thought of as one of the more remote mountains in Scotland and its vast high plateau sits in contrast to the ridge created by Beinn Bheoil. Peaks to the east of Loch Ericht are listed in the East Highlands region.