Beinns a'Chochuill and Eunaich in mist with brocken spectre
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:19 pmI started at 12.30 following the route given on this site. In the end I followed this route exactly. There was intermittent rain and almost constant mist.
As I passed Castles farm I had to walk past a group of Highland Cattle which were mooing continuouly, I think because cows and calves had been separated.
As I got to about 500m the mist got thicker and from there to the top of Beinn a'Chochuill visibility was about 30m. However I saw 2 ptarmagan close up and just managed to catch them with the camera.
As I came down the ridge heading for Beinn Eunaich the mist began to thin and occasional glimpses of the sun came through. As this happened I noticed an amazing optical effect. The sun cast my shadow onto the mist below me and I could see my shadow surrounded by a rainbow. It happened twice but only for a few seconds and I was unable to get my camera out in time to shoot it. I had seen a similar effect from an aircraft a few years ago (see photo). I wonder if anyone else has seen this effect or even has a photo of it.
As I ccontinued to Eunaich the mist closed in again but became patchy as I came down the ridge allowing intermittent atmospheric views and as I drove away Beinn Eunaich stood out in full sun against the background of all the other hills dark with mist.
It was a great day on the hills! I've often said there's no such thing as a bad day on the hills. When I set off it was very unpromising and the farmer at Castles said "you'll see nothing up there the day". But I had a thoroughly enjoyable walk and the easy walking provided by the road from the farm and the paths above made it a daudle! Unfortunately I'd let the camera battery run down and forgotten to bring the spare so can't show any more pictures. I'll double check that tomorrow!!
As I passed Castles farm I had to walk past a group of Highland Cattle which were mooing continuouly, I think because cows and calves had been separated.
As I got to about 500m the mist got thicker and from there to the top of Beinn a'Chochuill visibility was about 30m. However I saw 2 ptarmagan close up and just managed to catch them with the camera.
As I came down the ridge heading for Beinn Eunaich the mist began to thin and occasional glimpses of the sun came through. As this happened I noticed an amazing optical effect. The sun cast my shadow onto the mist below me and I could see my shadow surrounded by a rainbow. It happened twice but only for a few seconds and I was unable to get my camera out in time to shoot it. I had seen a similar effect from an aircraft a few years ago (see photo). I wonder if anyone else has seen this effect or even has a photo of it.
As I ccontinued to Eunaich the mist closed in again but became patchy as I came down the ridge allowing intermittent atmospheric views and as I drove away Beinn Eunaich stood out in full sun against the background of all the other hills dark with mist.
It was a great day on the hills! I've often said there's no such thing as a bad day on the hills. When I set off it was very unpromising and the farmer at Castles said "you'll see nothing up there the day". But I had a thoroughly enjoyable walk and the easy walking provided by the road from the farm and the paths above made it a daudle! Unfortunately I'd let the camera battery run down and forgotten to bring the spare so can't show any more pictures. I'll double check that tomorrow!!
