
Alder Backpack
Alder bike and backpack, 26-28 September'20
A blog post from one of our mountain adventures in the Scottish hills and mountains. An extended weekend biking into Alder, camping and hiking over the 6 Munros in the area John King was leading with Steven Fallon helping out on the cycle in.
Alder bike and backpackDay 1 - Cycle in to Culra![]() ![]() Day 2 - Geal Charn to Beinn Bheoil![]() The day started with a nice warm up following the fine stalkers path that leads towards the Bealach Dubh. We followed this route for about 2km and as we headed along the path our ridge towered overhead. It looked both an appealing ascent route and a bit intimidating in equal measure. After crossing the outflow from Loch an Sgoir we stopped to take off the many layers we still had on from camp then set about the steep uphill climb. The initial climb was very steep, picking our own line over heathery ground and around rocky outcrops. However, as height was gained a path began to appear and once scrambling ground was reached, the angle started to ease back. From there we had fine views across to the Aisre Cham snowpatch which was doing well to still be around this late in the summer season and the final part of the ridge was an enjoyable clamber along an airy crest. It was certainly easy to see how this ridge got its name! ![]() ![]() After our lunch stop it was time to descend down into the glen and make our way to the path leading back east over the Bealach Dubh. It was a pleasant walk down in the sun and a rising traverse to the path saved losing too much height. Once at the path Mark and Nicky decided they'd had plenty for the day and they made their way back over the pass to the tents at Culra. The remainder of us set off for our second significant climb of the day and made efficient progress following a wide break between the crags. Eventually we emerged on the high plateau of Ben Alder and although some high-level cloud had started to build from the west the views were still tremendous. Schiehallion looked particualy good close by. After a short break by the Colby Camp up at the summit we carried on, mindful that our last Munro of the day, Beinn Bheoil still looked a reasonable distance away and time was creeping on with daylight a bit more limited at this time of year. ![]() ![]() Day 3 - Carn Dearg and return to DalwhinnieMonday morning was much warmer that it had been the morning before with grey and overcast skies. The hills were still pretty much clear though and it was nice to eat breakfast with views, but soon showers were sweeping across the hills and the cloud base was lowering. By the time we were setting off around 8am, the first spots were starting to fall at the tents and our hill had become shrouded in mist. We set off following a stream steeply uphill above the tents and picked a line that avoided the steepest and deepest heather. As we climbed the cloud started to lift a little and we actually had pretty reasonable visibility until we gained the path on Carn Dearg's northeast ridge. Once on the path the walking was much easier and we made quick progress to the summit, arriving 1¼ hours after leaving the tents. As we ascended the final slopes there were a few fleeting glimpses of blue sky above us and Beinn a' Chlachair, one of the neighbouring Loch Laggan Munros, came into view a couple of times across An Lairig. However, at the actual summit there was little to be seen, so after a short moment at the top we plunged back down the steep slopes to the tents, broadly following our uphill route. We were back at the tents within 2½ hours - a good efficient Monday morning Munro! Back at Culra there were now drizzly showers passing through and the cloud had descended once more, so there was little to do but get tents down and packed up before things got too damp. We had this done, eaten a quick snack and were ready for the off around 11am. Mark and Emma opted to cycle the path, while I went with the remainder of the group around by Loch Pattack as we'd gone on the way in. Apart from the horses by the loch taking a particular interest in some of our rucksacks in search of food it was a straightforward cycle out and we reconvened as a team before Ben Alder Lodge. As with the cycle out we had a tail wind for the way back along Loch Ericht, something that almost never happens in both directions, and the sun made a few appearances between the drizzly showers. We were all back at Dalwhinnie around 1230, a successful trip completed. Thanks to all in the group for a great few days in the hills! More photos by John King, Steven Fallon and some of the participants are here on Flickr. Share this page « next | previous » |

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