Ben Alder and Beinn Bheoil

Ben Alder, 1148m, and Beinn Bheoil, 1019m

Date: 8/6/2001

Tops and Munros

Companions: Iain

Ben Alder (M) 1148m
Sron Coire na h-Iolaire (T) 955m
Beinn Bheoil (M) 1019m

Distance: 23km

Climbing: 950m

Time: 7.5 hours

Weather: mixed weather, mailnly overcast, some snow/hail flurries on top of ben Alder, cloud level 1000m

Munro Tally: M116-117, T198-200

First day of a superb weekend expedition with Iain. We drove up on Thursday evening to Dalwhinnie. From there, we cycled in down Loch Ericht (sheltering from some heavy downpours on the way), and camped under the trees on the east shore of Loch Pattack (to get some shelter from a fairly strong westerly wind).

Friday morning looked fair, so we set off across the "flats" towards Culra Bothy. Too late, we realised that the path was cyclable, but we were already committeed to walking, so kept going. Passed Culra on the south side of the stream after about an hour, and followed the well built path up the hillside towards Beinn Bheoil. We missed the thin path leading off towards the Long Leacas, and continued right to the outflow from Lochan Bhealach Bheithe (2 hours 10 minutes from Loch Pattack).

Crossing the burn by boulder hopping, the next stage was a steep pull up heather and bouldery slopes on to the Short Leacas. This proved to be an increasingly entertaining scramble up a steep rocky ridge. As we neared the top, the first of several snow/hail flurries had us putting on our waterproofs. Suddenly the steep ridge gave way to the summit plateau, and a short walk led us to the cairn, with a big stone shelter wall around it (very welcome). A fresh bunch of flowers was decorating a memorial plaque in the shelter.

After a lunch stop, we continued in the mist around the top of the cliffs (unfortunately the views were pretty limited), then down to the bealach between Ben Alder and Beinn Bheoil. Good views westwards towards the head of Loch Ericht. A short clamber brought us to the top of Sron Coire na h-Iolaire, perched above Loch Ericht. From there, 30minutes walk along the ridge led to the second Munro of the day, Beinn Bheoil.

The return was along a broad ridge, leading back down to the outward path, then the long walk back to Loch Pattack. All day we saw no other walkers!

Ben Alder

The massif of Ben Alder seen across the flats from Loch Pattack

Ben Alder from Loch Pattack

Beinn Bheoil

Beinn Bheoil

Halfway up the Short Leacas of Ben Alder, looking back towards Lochan Bhealach Bheithe with the northern ridge of Beinn Bheoil behind.

Ben Alder

Looking across to Ben Alder from Sgor Iutharn. The Long Leacas is the nearest ridge, the Short Leacas (our route of ascent) is the further away ridge. Both afford interestign scrambles of similar length and exposure - unfortunately you can't really climb both on the same day! In contrast to both ridges, the summit plateau is broad and bently sloping. A few small snowfields remained from the winter.

Ben Alder ridges and plateau

<< route maps of Friday's (Ben Alder) and Saturday's (Aonach Beag etc) walks

To see an OS 1:50000 map centred on Ben Alder, click here

To see an OS 1:50000 map centred on Beinn Bheoil, click here

To see a road map of the area around these mountains, click here

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other mountains in this area

Comments or questions? david@dbethune.com

Date: 8/6/2001	Tops and Munros
Companions: Iain	Ben Alder (M) 1148m Sron Coire na h-Iolaire (T) 955m Beinn Bheoil (M) 1019m
Distance: 23km
Climbing: 950m
Time: 7.5 hours
Weather: mixed weather, mailnly overcast, some snow/hail flurries on top of ben Alder, cloud level 1000m
Munro Tally: M116-117, T198-200
First day of a superb weekend expedition with Iain. We drove up on Thursday evening to Dalwhinnie. From there, we cycled in down Loch Ericht (sheltering from some heavy downpours on the way), and camped under the trees on the east shore of Loch Pattack (to get some shelter from a fairly strong westerly wind). Friday morning looked fair, so we set off across the "flats" towards Culra Bothy. Too late, we realised that the path was cyclable, but we were already committeed to walking, so kept going. Passed Culra on the south side of the stream after about an hour, and followed the well built path up the hillside towards Beinn Bheoil. We missed the thin path leading off towards the Long Leacas, and continued right to the outflow from Lochan Bhealach Bheithe (2 hours 10 minutes from Loch Pattack). Crossing the burn by boulder hopping, the next stage was a steep pull up heather and bouldery slopes on to the Short Leacas. This proved to be an increasingly entertaining scramble up a steep rocky ridge. As we neared the top, the first of several snow/hail flurries had us putting on our waterproofs. Suddenly the steep ridge gave way to the summit plateau, and a short walk led us to the cairn, with a big stone shelter wall around it (very welcome). A fresh bunch of flowers was decorating a memorial plaque in the shelter. After a lunch stop, we continued in the mist around the top of the cliffs (unfortunately the views were pretty limited), then down to the bealach between Ben Alder and Beinn Bheoil. Good views westwards towards the head of Loch Ericht. A short clamber brought us to the top of Sron Coire na h-Iolaire, perched above Loch Ericht. From there, 30minutes walk along the ridge led to the second Munro of the day, Beinn Bheoil. The return was along a broad ridge, leading back down to the outward path, then the long walk back to Loch Pattack. All day we saw no other walkers!