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This route
takes in two Munros, lying to the west of the Pass of Drumochter. They
are probably passed every year by hordes of travellers pushing northwards,
but provide pleasant walking which as a bonus starts at a fair height
above sea level. Do not do what I did one ascent, which was, discovering
I was mapless, to continue through the mist using the background hum of
traffic on the A9 as a rough guide!
Park just
off the A9 road, at Balsporran Cottages. Cross the railway and take the
path to cross the Allt Beul an Sporain and climb the northeast ridge of
Geal-charn (white hill) which is broad and heathery. There is fortunately
an obvious path through the heather. This leads up the southeast side
of the hill to gain its flat shoulder at 850m.
Beyond the
shoulder, a broad stony slope leads easily to the first summit, Geal-charn
(917m, 597 783). Now descend the ridge southwest over rocks, bending south
to gain the col at the head of Coire Fhar. Climb southeast up grassy slopes
to gain the flat summit ridge of A'Mharconaich (the place of horses),
with the summit at the northeast end.
To descend,
go down to the north over rocky ground, at first fairly steep then easing
down the northeast ridge leading back to Balsporran Cottages. The ground
underfoot becomes quite rough and boggy, with lots of heathery traps waiting
for the unsuspecting victim.
Avoid this
ground by quitting the ridge to cross the Allt Coire Fhar and pick up
a good path on its north side. As there is no bridge across the burn here,
be careful if heavy rain has produced spate conditions, walking back up
until safe to cross.
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