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Miniature hairy ones on massive Beinn Fhada

PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 8:21 pm
by dogplodder
To the north of the Five Sisters of Kintail lies a single massive mountain, Beinn Fhada. It's well named the 'long mountain' as it extends east to west for 9 km and takes up as much space as the Five Sisters.

Beinn Fhada from Sgurr Fhuaran of the Five Sisters
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It was Andrew's idea to climb Beinn Fhada and he had brought along his two Shelties, Blaze and Bramble. We parked at the end of the road and followed the right of way east up Gleann Choinneachain below the craggy north face of Sgurr a'Choire Ghairbh.

Sgurr a' Choire Ghairbh (Beinn Fhada's west top) from A' Ghlas-bheinn on a duller day than the day we climbed Beinn Fhada
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Zoomed shot of Loch Duich from near start of walk
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Blaze looking back down the path in Gleann Choinneachain
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We had to cross the Allt Choire an Sgairne
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Burn easily crossed on boulders - even for the Shelties who unlike labs prefer to keep their paws dry :D
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Coire an Sgairne
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Walking up the zig zag path
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Blaze and Bramble waiting patiently while the rest of the group caught up
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Looking back the way we came
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Above the zig zags we joined the stalker's path south up the corrie on to the ridge of Meall a' Bhealaich then south along the ridge on to the wide summit plateau of Beinn Fhada.

Claire and a glimpse of Loch a' Bhealaich from Meall a Bhealaich ridge
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At the top we met a guy who offered to take a photo of us at the summit. :D

Group at Beinn Fhada summit
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Our friendly photographer heading off towards the crags of Coire an Sgairne
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View east down Gleann Gniomhardh to Glen Affric
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View south to the Brothers ridge and Ciste Dubh
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View north over A' Ghlas-bheinn towards the distant Torridons
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Leisurely lunch in the sun with stunning views of the Sisters to the west
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Before leaving the top a last look east towards the Alltbeithe YH at foot of An Socach
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Start of the descent over the summit plateau of Plaidh Mhor
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This was a beautiful day of brilliant blue skies and vivid green mountains and I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to write it up! But since Blaze is no longer with us I do so now in honour of a great wee dog who so loved to walk the hills with Andrew - both here in the Highlands and on holiday in the Lake District. :clap:

Blaze in his preferred position, up close to Andrew, this time on the South Glenshiel ridge
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Re: Miniature hairy ones on massive Beinn Fhada

PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 8:46 pm
by gammy leg walker
Very poignant end to this TR dogplodder,great pictures,and more so braw pics of the best friends any person can wish to have.

Re: Miniature hairy ones on massive Beinn Fhada

PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 10:11 pm
by dogplodder
gammy leg walker wrote:Very poignant end to this TR dogplodder,great pictures,and more so braw pics of the best friends any person can wish to have.


Thank you Gammy. I felt quite emotional writing it up and Blaze wasn't even my dog! But you're right they're the best friends anyone can wish to have - so devoted and loyal.

Re: Miniature hairy ones on massive Beinn Fhada

PostPosted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 5:42 pm
by soulminer
An enjoyable read :) It never ceases to amaze me the depth of feeling we all have for our pets, or the pets of others. I still greatly miss my previous dog- Brodie, but would not be without the Chaos Crew I have around me now :lol:
A fine hill is Fhada, always remembered as a sunshine day on a snowy hill- No 200, or as Doogz put it Ben A'two'Hundred. You always seem as though you are at your happiest 'on high' and long may it remain :lol: :lol:
Cheers

Re: Miniature hairy ones on massive Beinn Fhada

PostPosted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 7:12 pm
by dogplodder
soulminer wrote: A fine hill is Fhada, always remembered as a sunshine day on a snowy hill- No 200, or as Doogz put it Ben A'two'Hundred. You always seem as though you are at your happiest 'on high' and long may it remain :lol: :lol:
Cheers


I looked for your report on it. If you didn't do one, could you get it done now - as I want to see the "sunshine day on snowy hill" please. :wink:

Re: Miniature hairy ones on massive Beinn Fhada

PostPosted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 8:33 pm
by dogplodder
dogplodder wrote:I looked for your report on it. If you didn't do one, could you get it done now - as I want to see the "sunshine day on snowy hill" please. :wink:


Thank you, thank you, thank you! :D

Don't think I've ever seen such stunning photographs :clap: and the write up was pretty entertaining too! :lol:

Re: Miniature hairy ones on massive Beinn Fhada

PostPosted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 10:24 am
by shredder
A non hill walking friend said seeing these photos was almost enough to make her take up hill walking! 8)

You certainly got a good day for it. :wink:

Re: Miniature hairy ones on massive Beinn Fhada

PostPosted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 10:09 pm
by simon-b
Great report, DP, well worth bringing back those memories from seven years ago, especially of the little dog. You had better weather that August than when I did Beinn Fhada the same month this year!

Re: Miniature hairy ones on massive Beinn Fhada

PostPosted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 11:15 am
by dogplodder
shredder wrote:A non hill walking friend said seeing these photos was almost enough to make her take up hill walking! 8)


Almost enough..... but not quite! :lol:

Re: Miniature hairy ones on massive Beinn Fhada

PostPosted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 11:43 am
by johnkaysleftleg
Wonderful pics and great report :clap: Sorry to here about Blaze but I'm sure he had a great life being up in the hills on plenty of occasions.

Re: Miniature hairy ones on massive Beinn Fhada

PostPosted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 1:57 pm
by rockhopper
enjoyed your report and a nice way to bring back the memories for you - cheers :)

Re: Miniature hairy ones on massive Beinn Fhada

PostPosted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 4:36 pm
by dogplodder
simon-b wrote:Great report, DP, well worth bringing back those memories from seven years ago, especially of the little dog. You had better weather that August than when I did Beinn Fhada the same month this year!


It was in the old days when we got proper summers. :wink:

Re: Miniature hairy ones on massive Beinn Fhada

PostPosted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 10:17 pm
by dogplodder
johnkaysleftleg wrote:Wonderful pics and great report :clap: Sorry to here about Blaze but I'm sure he had a great life being up in the hills on plenty of occasions.


Thanks John. :)

rockhopper wrote:enjoyed your report and a nice way to bring back the memories for you - cheers :)


Thanks RH. :)

Re: Miniature hairy ones on massive Beinn Fhada

PostPosted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 10:36 am
by dogplodder
Message from Andrew's wife

"The photos and the comments on Blaze were really wonderful. It was so nice to see our beloved boy enjoying himself with Andrew. Thank you."