[Trip Index] [Munro Index] [Home] 18th September 2006   Carn a Chlamain Map After a nice leisurely breakfast at the Monadliath Hotel we continued on our way to Dalwhinnie and then down the A9 to Blair Atholl. It was only a month since I'd been there so I had no trouble finding the car park and we set off up the private road to Glen Tilt at 10.25. Although cars are not allowed up this road we were passed by a car with a couple of walkers in it - we saw them later on the hill - and I don't think anyone polices it. I expect you could drive up it without any problem at all if you wanted to; Andrew certainly thought so and whinged several times about our folly in not doing so. Still, at this early point in the day the weather looked fine and it didn't seem a problem. The track up Glen Tilt We walked up through some forest and emerged into open countryside where a good cart-track continued up Glen Tilt. It was easy walking but a long way - well suited for a mountain bike really. After a few miles we paused for a rest and a drink, took a look at the map and realised we'd gone half a mile past our intended turn off. Rather than return, however, we decided to carry on a bit further and take the alternative path, just past a large white lodge surrounded by a clump of trees. It was 12.25 by the time we started up the hillside but we made good time. It was steep but the path ascended at a good angle, zigging and zagging a bit and we gained height quite quickly. At about 2450 ft the ground levelled off a bit and the path widened as it made its way across a slowly rising plateau to a stony mound - Carn a Chlamain. Just a quick clamber up the slopes and we were at the top. (2.25). Crossing the plateau Looking south from the summit The wind was blowing quite strongly now and thin cloud obscured the top from time to time but it was clear for long enough to get some good views. We left the summit at 2.40 and descended by the SW ridge which was the way we would have come up had we not missed our turn-off. It was an easy walk along the ridge ending with a steep, grassy drop back down to the glen where we rejoined the original track (by a bridge which is marked on the map against the name Balaneasie, although there's nothing else there) Looking back at Carn a Chlamain from the southern ridge There then remained just the long but not difficult walk back to the car (5.25). The last 2 miles were through light rain which became heavier after we'd reached the car. That night we stayed at Morag Cottage in Pitlochry, a B&B run by Mrs M MacNicoll (£24). And that's the end for this year. No Munro trips till next Feb/March. 48 to go.