Walkhighlands

After all the soakings I have had over the past few months I couldn't believe it when I checked out the Mountain Weather Forecast for today and read " Wind light, 80% chance of cloud free tops and no rain" whoopee a good walking day at last. I was so keen to get up in the hills I had no more than a half glass of vino on Saturday night (honest) and got up at 6.20 on a Sunday morning to drive North to Bridge of Orchy and the start of my walk. I had to scrape the frost off the car and drive carefully through the fog which was very thick in places but reached the Bridge of Orchy Hotel just before 09.00 and was walking 10 minutes later.
By the time I started walking the sun was up and starting to burn off the mist; I started off wearing the woolly hat, gloves and fleece all of which were back in the pack within 10 minutes where they remained until I stopped for lunch a couple of hours later.
The track from the Bridge of Orchy station towards the Bealach is very easy to follow, its not the best track in the world but makes easy walking on the way up although the rough ground is hard on the knees on the way down.
There were a few other walkers ahead of me and a couple behind, everyone taking advantage of the excellent weather.
I reached the Bealach soon after 10.00 and decided to climb Beinn Dorain first; instead of following the main path straight up to Carn Sasunnaich I followed the narrow path to the West of the ridge which brings you onto the summit of Beinn Dorain from the Southern end of the ridge. After a short break to admire the fantastic panorama I headed back along the ridge and down to the Bealach before heading up the track to Beinn an Dothaid. The track starts of well but soon disappears into the bog but the climb is easy enough and it was well worth it as the view from the top was superb in every direction and well worth getting out of bed at 06.20 on a Sunday morning. I found myself a good spot above the Bealach and settled down in the sun for a sandwich and some coffee before heading back to Bridge of Orchy and a well deserve pint of Deuchars before heading home.
A great day out in the hills which everyone I spoke to en-route was thoroughly enjoying, I wonder if this will be the last good weather of the year ???? time will tell.

Excellent report Clive and I can vouch for its accuracy - I think probably I parked next to you on the car park and followed you up, about 15 minutes or so behind, with my black lab?

In terms of pure hill walking weather, yesterday was as close to perfect (for me anyway) as it gets. Hope the gentleman who walked in the kilt kept himself warm!

Yes I remember chatting with you each time our paths crossed, your lab really seemed to be enjoying his day out on the hills although I'm not sure if he would have enjoyed the mud on Beinn an Dothaidh; catch up with you again sometime. Clive