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Geal Charn [Drumochter Pass]

Munro
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
917 m (3008 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NN59657826
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
279 of 282 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
2
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
White peak
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  42   Glen Garry & Loch Rannoch
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
From the summit of Geal Charn a narrow ridge curves S to a bealach connecting it with A' Mharconnaich, where a stalkers path offers the easiest ascent from the Balsporran Cottages.

A much broader E ridge offers easy slopes down to the A9 below. There is also a N ridge, which turns NE at Coire Beul an Sporain to connect with Creagan Mor (772m).

The only difficult slopes on this mountain lie to the NE where the crags of Creag Dhubh overlook Loch Ericht. There are some boulder slopes S and W of the summit and on the S flank of the E ridge.

Hazards you may encounter on Geal Charn [Drumochter Pass] include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags within 1km of summit.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Picture Gallery for Geal Charn [Drumochter Pass]

Geal-charn (Drumochter) from the N ridge of A' Mharconaich, The Fara in the background

© Peter Burgess
Image by Peter Burgess

Geal-charn (Drumochter) from the quarry track E of the A9

© Peter Burgess
Image by Peter Burgess

Geal Charn (on the right) and A' Mharconaich seen from the lower slopes of Meall Chuaich.

© Graham Young
Image by Graham Young

Loch Ericht from Geal Charn's southern slopes.

© Gary Mirams
Image by Gary Mirams
View All 16 Images for Geal Charn [Drumochter Pass]

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
Southeastern Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format) 		East Highlands
by Met Office 		Beinn Bheoil
by Metcheck
Geal Charn [Drumochter Pass] Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
We currently have no
sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Geal Charn [Drumochter Pass].

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Geal Charn [Drumochter Pass]
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 745 m 11.53 km 3.5 hrs A' Mharconaich and Geal Charn [Drumochter Pass]  Easy route starting from high altitude.  
2 1183 m 23.12 km 7 hrs Beinn Udlamain, Sgairneach Mhor, A' Mharconaich and Geal Charn [Drumochter Pass]  Easy walking in a beautiful area. Care needed crossing stream when in spate.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Geal Charn [Drumochter Pass]

  Baggers Gallery for Geal Charn [Drumochter Pass]

top of geal charm

© Colin Mochan
Image by Colin Mochan

Top of Geal Charn 21.01.11

© Dave Smith
Image by Dave Smith

Bruce Sloan on a windy misty Geal Charn(Drumochter) summit

© Bruce Sloan
Image by Bruce Sloan

The view went somewhere...

© Victoria Sheriff
Image by Victoria Sheriff
View All 11 Baggers Images for Geal Charn [Drumochter Pass]
The logging section stores any entries for Geal Charn [Drumochter Pass] in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
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Recently Climbed By
Richard Humble on 31 Mar 2024
Vincent Hasrings on 14 Jan 2024
Julie Richmond on 07 Sep 2023
Alister Richmond on 07 Sep 2023

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 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Geal Charn [Drumochter Pass]
by Mark Rudzinski

Post a few words about Geal Charn [Drumochter Pass] or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Chris Bowles
wrote on
March 27, 2008
The views over to Ben Alder and its neighbours on a good day are a delight from the summit of Geal Charn, especially when they are in their winter coats. The actual ascent itself is one of the easier in the land starting at Balsporran Cottages. After crossing the railway it is an easy, swift ascent up a well used stalkers path.
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

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