Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning
Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.
Bidean nam Bian, Broken Spectres & Tourists in Trainers
Re: Bidean nam Bian, Broken Spectres & Tourists in Trainers
by SuperjohnG » Mon Sep 30, 2013 11:42 pm
Wonderful photographs. Although lugging a 5d up there would be no mean feat!
On a totally separate off topic note, now following you on flickr, your picture of the three sisters is unreal!!
On a totally separate off topic note, now following you on flickr, your picture of the three sisters is unreal!!
- SuperjohnG
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Re: Bidean nam Bian, Broken Spectres & Tourists in Trainers
by colgregg » Mon Sep 30, 2013 11:48 pm
xpfloyd wrote:jmarkb wrote:You didn't really expect it to be quiet, or free from the slightly clueless, did you?
I suppose I should have realised it would be like that, just hadn't seen it as bad before
I went up on a mixed weather day midweek and had the valley to myself.
Re: Bidean nam Bian, Broken Spectres & Tourists in Trainers
by Mountainlove » Tue Oct 01, 2013 8:49 am
First at all- wonderful photos - they are great!!
As for walking in trainers and jeans...I have seen porters in Nepal in Trainers and Flip Flops walking through ice and snow...they simply did not had money for trainers or any other type of hiking footwear.
When I started hill walking (Goatfell) I was wearing jeans and high heeled boots- a thick heel I have to say, but a heel!!!
Jeans are not very comfortable, but we wear them all the time. If it is a dry and sunny day why not wear trainers? We run Marathons in them. Hill runners wear them. Why should Tourists who have nothing else with them not wear them to experience the hills?
As for walking in trainers and jeans...I have seen porters in Nepal in Trainers and Flip Flops walking through ice and snow...they simply did not had money for trainers or any other type of hiking footwear.
When I started hill walking (Goatfell) I was wearing jeans and high heeled boots- a thick heel I have to say, but a heel!!!

Jeans are not very comfortable, but we wear them all the time. If it is a dry and sunny day why not wear trainers? We run Marathons in them. Hill runners wear them. Why should Tourists who have nothing else with them not wear them to experience the hills?
Re: Bidean nam Bian, Broken Spectres & Tourists in Trainers
by xpfloyd » Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:08 am
Thanks superjohng, I used to lug a tripod too but that's what sickened me from doing it after lugging all the weight a few times and getting zero photos. I decided to give taking the camera only a try this weekend and glad I did
Last edited by xpfloyd on Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Bidean nam Bian, Broken Spectres & Tourists in Trainers
by xpfloyd » Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:12 am
Mountainlove wrote:Why should Tourists who have nothing else with them not wear them to experience the hills?
As I've been saying it's not just the fact they are wearing trainers, it's the fact that they also didn't have maps, didn't look like they had food or water, didn't really know where they were or where they were heading etc
Granted there is a path to the lost valley and back but for the ones with higher aspirations I just feel they are not realising the potential dangers if the weather was to suddenly change (which it didn't). I'm by no means saying people should not enjoy the hills like I do but I still class myself as a novice even though I've been doing it for a while now
Re: Bidean nam Bian, Broken Spectres & Tourists in Trainers
by macq23 » Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:39 pm


Re: Bidean nam Bian, Broken Spectres & Tourists in Trainers
by xpfloyd » Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:48 pm
macq23 wrote::thumbup: wow utterly stunning photos....how do you produce photos like that...or is that a trade secret?
Thanks mac, and no secrets

1 - If your camera has the option to shoot in RAW instead of jpeg then do that.
2 - Post process the RAW files - I use Adobe Lightroom but there are many alternatives
(RAW files contain more dynamic range than jpegs so it's easier to recover shadows etc than it is with a jpeg. They also allow non-destructive editing as opposed to editing a jpeg which is pixel manipulation. If you shoot in jpeg the camera is doing the post processing for you with a pre-defined preset. Doing it yourself afterwards gives you more control. RAW or jpeg they are both post processed)
3 - When post processing a simple tweak of the contrast, clarity and saturation is all it can take to make an average shot a great shot. Some people hear post processing and think you are going nuts with it (which you can if you want) but often the subtle tweaks give the best outcomes
4 - Spend an unhealthy amount of time reading up stuff on a photography forum such as POTN (optional

5 - if shooting landscapes try shooting at or around sunset or sunrise for best results. Obviously this isn't always possible if taking shots whilst walking munros. Harsh midday sun is probably the worst time.
Hope that helps a bit
Eddie
Re: Bidean nam Bian, Broken Spectres & Tourists in Trainers
by Wanderlust7 » Tue Oct 01, 2013 6:33 pm
Well done on your report it is a great moutain to climb. I done it in July and it was an amazing day, I saw all the AE ridge and all of Ben Nevis, but my talent in photography is certainly not as good as your own, they really are quite impressive pictures.
Further I am also inclined to agree on people dressed inappropraitely for TGO, but I also suspect some would have been up to the valley and no further, still each to their own. I am sure your pictures shall inspire others to wander up this fine mountain.
I am looking forward to it in the snow now..........
Further I am also inclined to agree on people dressed inappropraitely for TGO, but I also suspect some would have been up to the valley and no further, still each to their own. I am sure your pictures shall inspire others to wander up this fine mountain.
I am looking forward to it in the snow now..........
Re: Bidean nam Bian, Broken Spectres & Tourists in Trainers
by xpfloyd » Tue Oct 01, 2013 6:35 pm
Thanks wanderlust
Re: Bidean nam Bian, Broken Spectres & Tourists in Trainers
by Jabber » Tue Oct 01, 2013 7:12 pm
Great phots! Bidean is an awesome peak especially when ascending from Aonach Dubh's west face. 

Re: Bidean nam Bian, Broken Spectres & Tourists in Trainers
by macq23 » Thu Oct 03, 2013 1:58 pm
Cheers Eddie for the tips & forum 

Re: Bidean nam Bian, Broken Spectres & Tourists in Trainers
by xpfloyd » Thu Oct 03, 2013 4:14 pm
Thanks jabber and no probs mac
Re: Bidean nam Bian, Broken Spectres & Tourists in Trainers
by Johnny Corbett » Thu Oct 03, 2013 4:39 pm
Great photos and a wee bit controversy thrown in as well, love it. 

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