ski-touring in the Cairngorm Hills



From cairngormhills.co.uk

West Drumochter Hills

West Drumochter Hills
OS map : 36
start : Drumochter Summit A9 layby
gridref : NN631761
 Park in the large layby just north of Drumochter summit on the west side of the road. If the A9 has snow on it remember that the snow ploughs use this layby to turn, so park carefully.
hills: A' Mharconaich Ben Udlamain Sgairneach Mhor
summary : Drumochter summit A9 layby - A'Mharconaich - Beinn Udlamain - Sgairneach Mhor - Drumochter summit A9 layby
distance : 17.5km.
ascent : 930m.
descent : 470m.
time : 7hrs. 20mins.
Off to the West Drumochter Hills.

Off to the West Drumochter Hills.

© cairngormhills.com

The rounded hills west of A9 at the top of Drumochter are popular with skiers due to the easy access and snow holding. These rounded hills provide a good introductory ski tour.

From the layby on the A9 walk south down the track parallel to the A9. Just south of the track up Allt Coire Domhain, cross the railway by the under bridge. Follow the track up Allt Coire Dhomhain until a river (good snow holding) is reached. (NN601746) Follow this river steeply to the summit ridge. Then follow the ridge NE to the summit of A\'Mharconaich. (6.5km. 530m. 0m. 3hr.20min)

Retrace steps south west keeping to the ridge an much as possible, and then climb up to the summit of Beinn Udlamain. (3.5km. 210m. 110m. 1hr.40min)

Ski south and then south east to the bealach at the head of the Allt Coire Donhain. Ski up the eastern slopes of Sgairneach Mhor. (3km. 190m. 210m. 1hr.20min)

Descend carefully around the rim of Coire Creagach keeping east or north east when the coire rim turns north. From the small bealach (NN614737) ski north down the river valley keeping to the best snow. Cross the Allt Coire Dhomhain (wet feet!) and return by the track. (4.5km. 0m. 150m. 1hr.20min)