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Geal Chàrn Mòr

Cairngorms National Park

Sheltered easy angle powder skiing in the Monadhliaths

Ski Touring Moderate

Distance
12 km
Ascent
830 m
Descent
831 m
Duration
5-6 hrs
Low Point
259 m
High Point
823 m
Gradient
18˚
Geal Chàrn Mòr Map

Ideal for both newbie and experienced ski tourers looking for an accessible adventure with fantastic panoramic views of the Cairngorms, Geal Chàrn Mòr offers straight forward touring close to Aviemore.

Description

At 824m with a choice of sheltered NW and NE facing bowls and wide open easy angle slopes on all aspects, Geal Chàrn Mòr can provide excellent powder skiing when the more exposed higher mountains have been stripped by the wind.

Park at Lynwilg then follow the obvious track - the Burma road - as it winds its way in a N/NW direction onto the hillside.

Feel free to nip off to the side for a quick hit on Carn Dearg Mor (712m) if you're short on time and conditions look good!

When you reach the col between Geal Chàrn Mòr and Gael Charn Beag, head WSW towards the summit of Geal Chàrn Mòr itself.

From here there are plentiful options so it's a case of working out where the wind has been coming from in order to find the best snow!

We struck gold this winter with lap after lap of world class cold dry powder in the bowl that lies to the NW of the summit itself.

You cannot see into the bowl from the flattish summit which means it tends not to see the same amount of traffic as the other hills which are more visible from the skin track.

If conditions and the weather gods align, you'll be in for hero snow in a stunning location.

Easy skinning, wide open heli ski style skiing, amazing views and a cracking wee ski back down the Burma road to finish - Geal Chàrn Mòr really is a superb "bang for your buck" tour!

Difficulty

Moderate

Slopes become slightly steeper at around 25-30 degrees.

Low Exposure (E1)

1 out of 4

Exposure is limited to that of the slope itself. Getting hurt is still likely if the slope is steep and/or the snow is hard.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between December and March

Features

  • Bowl

Equipment required

  • Skins

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area