With two friends before staying at Aviemore YH. We left the YH at 17:00 and attempted to find the footpath to the west of the old main road, but it must have been obliterated by the new road. We climbed up the east side to the summit of Craigellachie; it was steep with some new snow. The descent was to the north; the YH was reached at 19:30. It was clear with good views.