Scramble Route - Long Leachas, Ben Alder

Long Leaches, Ben Alder, Scotland

Grade: 3 (optional grade 1 escape)

The North ridge of Ben Alder provides scrambles of low grade providing quick, easy, access to this fine summit. The east ridge is known as the Short Leachas, whilst the north east continuation of the north ridge is the Long Leachas. On a traditional approach from Culra Bothy and the North this provides the first scrambling option and easy ascent to this isolated peak between Dalwhinnie and Corrour.

Equipment: Rope, slings optional.

Online Map link

Views: 4 Technicality: 3 Exposure: 2

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GIBBER FACTOR* 2 *out of five.

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Approach The best approach is from the North East and Culra Bothy, where an overnight stay gives the opportunity of an early start. Shortly after the confluence of the Allt a' Bhealaich Dhuibh and the Allt a' Bhealaich Beithe a ford provides a crossing point to the ridge almost directly to the south.

Ben Alder from Culra Both by Richard Kermode - OM album

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Route Start up the obvious pronounced ridge with a walk over a series of minor tops, picking out isolated short sections of rock where possible. Around 2500ft you encounter a steep band of broken rock with an obvious wide crack just left of centre.

And looking back towards Culra by James Cassidy - OM album

This is the section that makes an otherwise grade 1 scramble a grade 3. Take the crack up the centre of the wall to easier ground along the crest leading to a col.

Walk along the ridge to another short wall where a mixture of steps and short pulls up outcrops leads to a series of boulders. The ridge temporarily narrows as you approach another small col then pull back up again over boulders.

A series of pinnacles provides a little excitement before a final section of more boulders and isolated short faces deposits you on the summit plateau of Ben Alder.

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Descent The easiest return is via the Short Leachas, or East Spur of the North Ridge. This is a grade 1 scramble with no particular difficulties, leading back to the Allt a' Bhealaich Beithe, from where you can retrace your inward approach.

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Caution Scrambling is potentially dangerous and, particularly at the higher grades, requires technical skills and equipment to minimise the risk. We suggest that you take professional instruction or climb with an experienced partner.

Accuracy All routes have been pre-walked or scrambled, however mountain terrain is by its nature changeable, so bear in mind that some features such as bridges and roads may change over time.