ICE ON BEN ALDER

Scrambling on The Long Leachas, Ben Alder

Frost and ice early morning

Lochan a' Garbh Coire & Beinn Bheoil

Big corries everywhere

Above big Lochs, Upper Loch Ericht

Crystal clear view of Ben Nevis from the summit

Sron Bealach a' Bheithe

Nearing the plateau

Plateau views looking North to The Cairngorms

Bidean nam Bian, Aonach Eagach and Loch Ossian from the summit

Lochan a' Bealaich Bheithe, the long walk back

For the first time this season there was a hard frost with a coating of ice on our tent. We woke to a stunning sunrise and glorious early morning light on Ben Alder. Not a breath of wind as we set off shortly after 7am. The Long Leachars ridge onto Ben Alders plateau is a great way to gain the Munro. Some easy scrambling along a  narrow ridge gives the best way onto the mountain. With such cold Autumn air the views were absolutely crystal clear. Being in the centre of Scotland the views from the top are superb. From the summit I guess I could have named at least 50 Munros that stud out so clearly in the 360 degree view. The walk down is just as spectacular. Great views of the upper reaches of Loch Ericht and the beautifully remote Loch a' Bealaich Bheithe as well as the fine winter climbing corries on the mountains North and East aspects. We saw no one until we packed up the tent and headed back toward Culra, just one lone mountain biker in a area as remote and as wild you could wish for.