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Lat/Long: 56.909301, -04.235218
OS Grid ref: NN 63912 81981
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It was a very cold night’s camp in the car park by
Balsporran Cottages. The temperature dropped to 10degC and all
my water bottles in the car froze almost solid, but not quite.
The plus side was an amazing clear view of the stars. The main
downside was the car was frozen inside and out. My planned walk
was Cairn na Carm and the start was off the A9 over 2 miles to
the north. |
Quartz monolith. |
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I couldn't decide whether to leave the car and add almost 5 easy
miles to my walk or do my best to get the car defrosted. As it
came light I managed to get most of the ice off and drove to the
parking lay-bye near the Dalwhinnie turn off. I crossed the busy
A9 and followed the track up through the trees. Up ahead was the
track going up to the long abandoned quartz quarry and that's
the way I was going. The first part is a long diagonal straight
length where I could see fresh (probably yesterday) boot prints
in the snow. |
Snow-filled quartz quarry. |
Carn na Caiam summit. |
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There was hard snow along part of the track so I decided to put
my ice studs on my boots and the going then became much easier.
It was a steady plod up to the old quarry where there was a
large monolith of quartz to mark the location. If it wasn't for
the map nobody would know there was ever a quarry here. The
temperature was -9degC and the snow fields were in excellent
condition for walking on. Above the quarry is a left branch of
the track which I followed steadily upwards. The main part of
the climb was over but I still had a few kms to go over
undulating ground. I headed first for a minor summit and a low
cairn to mark it. Then across open ground to reach the main
track to Carn na Caim. I’d seen a lone walker approaching from
behind and as he’d not taken the minor summit diversion we met
at the fence line. |
Meall Chuaich |
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We exchanged a brief greeting then he continued up to the
summit. When I arrived a short time after I continued a little
further to look down into the next valley and possible future
descent. Ahead was Meall Chuaich which I climbed in July 2022
and the loch with associated hydro buildings. The man I’d spoken
to seemed to be taking a panoramic photo on his phone so I left
him to it. He set off down and I followed shortly afterwards. I
took the direct way back along the fenceline and not return by
the detour. At the quartz quarry I joined the track and followed
it easily down to the car which had thankfully defrosted. |
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