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A weather window at last
Left early and decided on this pair in Glen Orchy. They had been highly recommended by Doogz, Anne and Molly
The drive up was giving rise to a degree of excitement as the sky was a lovely shade of blue.Past Inveruglas the cloud was becoming noticable further up the road.. Will I stick with the plan, or about turn and do Beinn Dubh or Ben Vane? No, just stick with the plan. The cloud was pretty low by the time Tyndrum was reached,and not much higher as I turned down Glen Orchy.
Parked up just beyond the small stone bridge passed the white cottage at Invergaunan.walked back up to the gate and headed for the hillside.It was going to be a wet event today, spots of rain and wet underfoot as well- lovely
To my surprise blue sky was beginning to make an appearance,and the clouds were rising and swirling about. Could be better than I thought.
IMGP1044 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
This is more like it
IMGP1048 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Looking good
IMGP1049 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Continuing upwards with the clouds seeming to stream over head then disappear as quick as they came- a strange day -bright on minute,dull the next
Over a couple of rises and spotted some deer, a welcome change from the plethora of sheep bouncing all over the hillside.
IMGP1051 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Out of the gloom again as I reached the flatter section of the walk, some fine views to be had up here.
Beinn Dorain
IMGP1054 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Beinn Udlaidh
IMGP1056 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
A more cloud- ravaged Dorain
IMGP1057 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Some foreground interest
IMGP1058 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Carried on to the summit,but didn't stop. Made my way towards the drop down to the bealach. A wee tad slippy around here
A view across to Lui etc- in mist
IMGP1060 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Out of the mist
IMGP1062 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
A look across to the impressive corrie of Beinn Udlaidh
IMGP1063 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Made it down to the bealach without to many mishaps. No surprise me telling you it was a quagmire- clod hopping required. Climbed over a seemingly new fence-more about this later. Opted for a rising traverse towards the summit.
Spotted the potential for a photo
IMGP1067 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
The cloud was back again ,drifting over the summit pretty quickly though. Had a small refreshment breakabout half way up- the first one today
Down the Bridge of Orchy side- cloud departing quickly
IMGP1068 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Towards Tyndrum
IMGP1069 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Just under the summit there was some strange detritis
IMGP1071 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Some more on the summit itself
IMGP1072 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Not a day for sitting about,so headed off towards the unusual White Quartz spine as my route of choice for descent. some other unusual rock formations- which I am sure a geologist may explain,if one reads this report
Zoom shot
IMGP1078 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Wandered down the side of the Quartz 'ridge' heading for the forest edge and the path down beside the burn.
Part of the 'ridge'
IMGP1080 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
A little further down i came across the same new fence I had climbed at the bealach.I followed it till it met the old forest fence. Here there was a large 'gate' of sorts, with a rope tie to secure it.
IMGP1083 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Passed through the gate, and headed towards a bulldozed path- which seemed new as well. Looks like they are going to plant some more pines !
The new path
IMGP1085 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
I walked along the path passed a quadbike belonging to some workers I had seen on the hillside earlier.The path eventually lead me to the gate where I had parked the car, result
Last photo of the day
Large insect, just about life-sized
IMGP1090 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr.