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A View to An Teallach
What a day! What a Mountain and What a View!!
Film -
However I still have conflicting feelings on this trip…. On one hand it was an amazing day out in solitude with one of the best views in the world (IMO), however on the other hand I didn’t finish what I set out to do, perhaps I’d been a bit ambitious this time…
Planning a high wild camp, I didn’t start out until 11.30 and the weather was glorious. An Teallach had been showing off her finest white coat with a blue back drop for the last 15 miles! I couldn’t wait to get going….
The main reason for this trip were the views. Having traversed the ridge a number of time previously, I set out to get “The View” and camp on a spot with the view! I also planned on heading along the ridge a little to have some fun after setting up camp. The best laid plans of mice and men!
This was the first time I had saddled my camping gear in some time and with the camera equipment the weight of the pack was slowing progress! I ambled along in the warm sunshine and the views opened up as height was gained, white Fannichs and a white Dearg group looked grand. An Teallach was in front of me but un recognisable! I have always done a clockwise circuit and descended to Dundonnell so it was interesting to be ascending this way (the clockwise circuit maybe gives better views , however it would mean traversing the ridge to get to where I wanted to be – Bidein a’ Ghlas Thuill).
After a few lengthy stops, I decided that the wild camp wasn’t going to happen. The main reason being that the winds were picking up (never enjoy a sleepless night in a rattling tent!) and the weather front was starting to move inland. However I still had time to get to the top and enjoy the views and take some footage!
The final pull to the highest point required crampons and axe as the snow firmed up and ice became a smear on all hand holds (24hrs late I was sitting in shorts and T shirt in back garden!) !
A Halo around the sun greeted me as I approached the summit as did “The View”. Now on a time schedule to get back before dark I was a little rushed on the summit and didn’t get the chance to explore the different options I was wanting to for photos. In the end it didn’t matter as nearly all my batteries died! I warmed them as best I could but I didn’t really get the video or photos I wanted to.
It was still a great day out and I made it back to the car with about another 45 minutes of dusk left. Good exercise though and a must return with the tent!!!
Some Piccies:
Fiona by
Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
pinnacles ridge of An Teallch by
Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
An Teallach Views by
Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
HALO around SUN by
Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
An Teallach by
Scotland's Mountains, on Flickr
