Weekend away among the Ben Alder hills

Join Glasgow Young Walkers on an adventurous long weekend close to Dalwhinnie and climb the Munros around Culra bothy. Please note that the weekend away involves wildcamping (the bothy is closed due to asbestos), thus you need to be able to carry the food that you need for 2 days as well as your full walking and camping gear. Water is available from burns in the area, but requires purification.

I am planning to take the train from Queen Street to Dalwhinnie on Saturday morning, then walk from Dalwhinnie Station to Culra bothy and set up camp. On Sunday we can decide as a group if we want to do the Aonach Beag and its neighbours or add to them Ben Alder and Beinn Bheoil and do the full round. On Monday, we will walk back to Dalwhinnie to catch the 2 pm train or drive back to Glasgow.
· Meeting point: Dalwhinnie railway station
· Meeting time: 1:15 pm on 24 May

Details for the walk in from Dalwhinnie to Culra:
· Distance: 10 miles
· Ascent: ~300 metres

Hillwalk
· Distance: 16 miles (full round) or 11.5 miles (4 Aonach Beag Munros)
· Ascent: 2000 m (full round) or 1110 m (4 Aonach Beag Munros)
· Duration: 10 -11 hours (full round) or 8-9 hours (4 Aonach Beag Munros)
· Terrain: The approach from Culra is steep and pathless and the walk involves a lot of pathless, rough going. The whole route is very remote.

Getting there
By car: ~2-hour drive from Glasgow. Drivers, please add a comment if you can offer a lift. Non-drivers should contribute to fuel costs.

By train: 10:41 am from Glasgow Queen Street, changing at Perth, arriving Dalwhinnie 1:03 pm. Return trains at 2:04 pm & 4:56 pm on Monday.

Please note that the number of attendees is limited to 8 people.

This weekend away will take place in a remote area and the planned hillwalk is strenuous thus good fitness level, adequate previous hillwalking and wildcamping experience are essential.

What to bring:
· Camping gear (will set up a WhatsApp group to discuss)
· Food: minimum for 2 days
· Standard walking gear including full waterproofs and a headtorch
· Midge repellent, filter / water purification tablets, battery pack(s)

Please note that the weekend away will only go ahead in good weather conditions. If the forecast suggests poor conditions, I will look for an alternative or postpone the event.

If you have any questions on the weekend away, please add a comment below.