All-Day Sunset on Beinn Chabhair
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:01 pmA slightly ambiguous weather forecast and a fairly poorly rated Munro on this website meant that expectations for last weekend's jaunt up Beinn Chabhair were fairly low as we set off from The Drover's Inn just before 10am. With the temperature above 0 degrees for the first time in weeks the snow cover was a fair bit less than recent times and, on the relatively steep first section, I quickly worked up a sweat while enjoying the views.
We followed the path on the North side of the waterfall and through the stiles.
As the path began to get icier the flatter plain was reached and the snow thickened. From here we more or less stuck to the Walkhighlands route, following the North side of the river. I can see why people would find this section boring as there is barely an incline except for the small negated undulations, and there is a certain vast emptiness to the environment, however a fine day was developing and the snow turned what might have been a bleak scene into more of a majestic tundra.
The lack of ascent was about to become frustrating but thankfully the sight of the frozen lochan arrived just in time to signal the beginning of the ascent onto the main ridge. We took a slightly more Western gully to make the ascent but thankfully we weren't the only ones in recent days to have chosen that route so we didn't have to kick all our own steps!
Once on the main ridge we jigged in and out of the craggy sections, often losing the path but heading onwards and upwards. Eventually it was impossible to kick steps so on went the crampons and we managed to ascend much more quickly, tackling some pretty steep gullies with ease.
Before long we reached the very windy summit and the views were truly beautiful. The sun appeared to have been hungover, barely rising far beyond the horizon all day and was swathed in wispy clouds creating a beautiful orange glow which gave the impression of sunset all day.
We didn't stay long as the wind was really picking up so off we headed back the way we had come (plus one or two accidental detours and a few deliberate bum slides - very fun!) which was enjoyable until we reached the long trudge back to the final descent above the road. However we were rewarded with the most incredible fiery red and pink real sunset... for which my camera battery kindly died!
All in all this was a great munro, another of which I am glad I kept for winter as the snow and ice certainly redeems its more boring aspects.
We followed the path on the North side of the waterfall and through the stiles.
- Fine views across to the hills on the other side of the A82.
As the path began to get icier the flatter plain was reached and the snow thickened. From here we more or less stuck to the Walkhighlands route, following the North side of the river. I can see why people would find this section boring as there is barely an incline except for the small negated undulations, and there is a certain vast emptiness to the environment, however a fine day was developing and the snow turned what might have been a bleak scene into more of a majestic tundra.
- Following the partially frozen river.
- Making our way through the snowy plains.
The lack of ascent was about to become frustrating but thankfully the sight of the frozen lochan arrived just in time to signal the beginning of the ascent onto the main ridge. We took a slightly more Western gully to make the ascent but thankfully we weren't the only ones in recent days to have chosen that route so we didn't have to kick all our own steps!
- The low sun shining on the frozen lochan.
- Smiling because someone before us had already kicked steps!
Once on the main ridge we jigged in and out of the craggy sections, often losing the path but heading onwards and upwards. Eventually it was impossible to kick steps so on went the crampons and we managed to ascend much more quickly, tackling some pretty steep gullies with ease.
Before long we reached the very windy summit and the views were truly beautiful. The sun appeared to have been hungover, barely rising far beyond the horizon all day and was swathed in wispy clouds creating a beautiful orange glow which gave the impression of sunset all day.
- The incredibly beautiful view from the summit. The BBC included this photo in their gallery of sunsets - I didn't dare tell them it was taken at 2pm...
- Trying not to be blown off the summit.
We didn't stay long as the wind was really picking up so off we headed back the way we had come (plus one or two accidental detours and a few deliberate bum slides - very fun!) which was enjoyable until we reached the long trudge back to the final descent above the road. However we were rewarded with the most incredible fiery red and pink real sunset... for which my camera battery kindly died!
All in all this was a great munro, another of which I am glad I kept for winter as the snow and ice certainly redeems its more boring aspects.
- The highlight of the day - the stunning panoramic views from the summit.
same on your instagram tae 
