Rising out of the murk.....
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 8:59 pmChoinneachain Hill 787m
Video of inversion and report:
I had Monday afternoon and Tuesday off work as I was headed south to Newcastle for the Monday evening. Taking Tuesday off was for recovery and a nice amble back up the road….
Anyway, the gig was enjoyable and we were actually all up early on the Tuesday and left Newcastle for home by 9am. We had driven through thick fog on the Monday evening and the forecast was the same for Tuesday, however I couldn’t resist a look at the mountain forecasts- blue skies… mmmmmmm.
The drive back was uneventful but the fog that lay waiting in Perthshire had me dropping off my overnight bag and replacing it with my drone and kit bag. The bike was thrown in the boot and I was off up the Glen with a minuscule turnaround time!! The fog was thick and didn’t look like shifting – this was good news as it was about 13.40 by the time I reached Monzie. As I drove up towards the Turret dam car park my heart lifted as the light changed and little bits of brightness started to appear… soon the glimpses of blue started to expand and the grey fog was left behind… A cracking inversion!!
admiring the iews by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
Sunset was 16.28 so I knew I had to be swift. I was aiming for Auchnafree Hill and had initially thought about heading along Loch Turret then up to Auchnafree hill as per the last few visits, but as the inversion was to the south I took the 4 by 4 track down towards Easter Knockbae. I’m glad I did as the views here were amazing. A sea of fog spread before me until the Ochils were reached. Torlum Hill looked splendid as it raised its head above the fog
Torlum Hill above the fog by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
hills of Loch Earn by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
inversion over Strathearn Torlum by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
I headed round the path and eventually got off the bike and gingerly pushed it up (knee complaining!) to the 551 cairn and took a breather (and more photos and video!!)
The views were immense and opening up. The inversion really changed the landscape. From here on it was on and off the bike, the flatter areas were fine to cycle but some steeper parts required a pushing method!! The great views continued as I reached Creag Chaisean. Looking over Corrie Barvick the shadows were being cast from one side of the Blue Craigs to the other. I could now see the two large Cairns indicating (King Kenneth Cairn?? Carn Chainiebin – must be some historical event linked to this???) and also the top of Choinneachain Hill. I got to the 787m top of Choinneachain and soaked in the views and also noticed how close the sun was to the horizon!! Auchnafree would have to wait for another ascent!
choinneachain summt by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
lowering sun by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
A few photos and videos then a spectacular sunset descent back to the car in time for dusk!! A rather enjoyable 3 hours out and about.
More and Binnein by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
Bike views by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
Video of inversion and report:
I had Monday afternoon and Tuesday off work as I was headed south to Newcastle for the Monday evening. Taking Tuesday off was for recovery and a nice amble back up the road….
Anyway, the gig was enjoyable and we were actually all up early on the Tuesday and left Newcastle for home by 9am. We had driven through thick fog on the Monday evening and the forecast was the same for Tuesday, however I couldn’t resist a look at the mountain forecasts- blue skies… mmmmmmm.
The drive back was uneventful but the fog that lay waiting in Perthshire had me dropping off my overnight bag and replacing it with my drone and kit bag. The bike was thrown in the boot and I was off up the Glen with a minuscule turnaround time!! The fog was thick and didn’t look like shifting – this was good news as it was about 13.40 by the time I reached Monzie. As I drove up towards the Turret dam car park my heart lifted as the light changed and little bits of brightness started to appear… soon the glimpses of blue started to expand and the grey fog was left behind… A cracking inversion!!
admiring the iews by Scotland's Mountains, on FlickrSunset was 16.28 so I knew I had to be swift. I was aiming for Auchnafree Hill and had initially thought about heading along Loch Turret then up to Auchnafree hill as per the last few visits, but as the inversion was to the south I took the 4 by 4 track down towards Easter Knockbae. I’m glad I did as the views here were amazing. A sea of fog spread before me until the Ochils were reached. Torlum Hill looked splendid as it raised its head above the fog
Torlum Hill above the fog by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickrhills of Loch Earn by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickrinversion over Strathearn Torlum by Scotland's Mountains, on FlickrI headed round the path and eventually got off the bike and gingerly pushed it up (knee complaining!) to the 551 cairn and took a breather (and more photos and video!!)
The views were immense and opening up. The inversion really changed the landscape. From here on it was on and off the bike, the flatter areas were fine to cycle but some steeper parts required a pushing method!! The great views continued as I reached Creag Chaisean. Looking over Corrie Barvick the shadows were being cast from one side of the Blue Craigs to the other. I could now see the two large Cairns indicating (King Kenneth Cairn?? Carn Chainiebin – must be some historical event linked to this???) and also the top of Choinneachain Hill. I got to the 787m top of Choinneachain and soaked in the views and also noticed how close the sun was to the horizon!! Auchnafree would have to wait for another ascent!
choinneachain summt by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickrlowering sun by Scotland's Mountains, on FlickrA few photos and videos then a spectacular sunset descent back to the car in time for dusk!! A rather enjoyable 3 hours out and about.
More and Binnein by Scotland's Mountains, on FlickrBike views by Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
