Pre Dawn start - Beinn Damh

[lowflyer]

Arrived at 0500hrs at the Torridon Inn car park still pitch black. Got the gear on, headtorch on and set off at a gentle pace. I was prepared for a plague of midges today having checked the Midge forecast, however they were absent perhaps due to the steady breeze.
Striding up the trail through the woodland I was aware of nature's sounds all around but still couldn't see much other than my torch beam.
Progress was steady and the darkness was abating giving me some etherial views back down the hill towards Loch Torridon. The sun was desperate to make an appearance but too much hill fog was snuffing out its impact.
I was now at a point of being able to glimpse loch Damh but it was fleeting and the cloud was now thickening rapidly.
It now became a case of using the trusty compass and map to direct me on upwards to the summit. The going is a bit bouldery and there is no obvious path but I reached the false summit and took a bearing on the true summit.
There were no views whatsoever but I just wanted to reach the top.
Given the steep drops on either side I was remarkably confident in my compass work.
At the summit I took out the cooker for a brew and a breakfast of Chili con carne. Well it was dark when I packed it.
With no vista to savour it was a simple case of retracing my steps and descending as carefully as possible.
Lower down as I came out of the cloud I could see that it was a beautiful day and I was delighted to observe the hills in all their splendour.
Further down I met a group of walkers ascending and thereafter another two groups approached. It was going to be a busy day on the hill.
A lovely bimble back down to the car park through the woodland and seeing the waterfall that I had missed on the way up, made a very satisfying end to the trip

[litljortindan]

Good set of photos despite the summit cloud.

[lowflyer]

Good set of photos despite the summit cloud.

Thank you. It was quite atmospheric 🌥️