East Drumochter Hills

These hills give a steep aspect to the A9. At many times of the year the first part of the ski tour will involve walking until higher up the hill. The tops is a large flattish plateau making for some good touring with views over to the Cairngorms.

From the layby go through the gate and walk in a south westerly direction making for the first valley which is Jeans Gully. Decide where skis need to be put on and walk up to that point always keeping to the north bank of Jeans Gully. Follow the line of the gully to reach the bealach between Meall a Chaorain and A'Bhuidheanach Beag on the main ridge. Then follow the boundary fence east to the summit of A'Bhuidheanach Beag. (3.5km. 490m. 0m. 2hr.20min)

Continue north along the boundary ridge to egt to Carn na Caim. The descent from A'Bhuidheanach Mor to the col is perhaps the best descent. The boundary fence is followed all the way to the summit of Carn na Caim and is undulating rather than any significant ascent or descent The old fence posts make navigation easy. (5.5km. 170m. 150m. 2hr.0min)

To return back to the roadside, retrace your steps to .902 (NN661801). In an emergency it is easy to walk down the track to the A9 and then walk along the road. Also possible is to ski down the direction of the track picking out the best snow. However, to get a better descent keep retracing tracks until A'Bhuidheanach and then to the bealach at the top of Jeans Gully. From here look at the snow and pick out the best line, often down the gully itself but some times better to keep to the sides of the actual gully. Once at the bottom make for the car in the layby by the most convenient route. (9.5km. 70m. 490m. 3hr.0min)

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