Monadhliath Mountains means "grey mountains". Running in a northeast to southwest direction, the mountains lie on the western side of Strathspey, to the west of the Cairngorms and to the south east of Loch Ness. The mountains are within the Highland council area, and the south and east fringes are within the Cairngorms National Park. The high point of the range is Càrn Dearg, at 945 m/3100ft, located 24 km south of Inverness.
Having spent the night in the Berlingo while it was buffeted by gales, it was snowing when I set off. I retraced my steps from yesterday back up to a point where I could cross the river directly East of A'Chailleach. Half way up I put my crampons on and got my ice axe out. It was a hard packed snow slope with good views of the large cornice on A'Chailleach. You see where blocks of snow had broken off the cornice a form a small avalanche. Naturally I kept well out of the actual corrie. Very strong wind on the top. Sun came out on the way down as I retraced my steps. Glorious!
