Helicopter, Goats & Litter on An Teallach

[Sunset tripper]

It takes me not much more than an hour to drive to the foot of An Teallach. I had attempted the trip the week before but driving in the constant rain I lost the desire to climb the hill, so I about turned and spent my time doing some other stuff. I've seen the day when I would go out in all weathers and enjoy the challenge of horrendous conditions but not anymore. I feel a bit sorry for folk who have climbed An Teallach and not seen a thing. If that's you, you need to revisit.
I had decided to go up from Dundonnell and used the path that walkhighlands advises against, alongside the Allt a'Mhuilinn, but I'm sure its quicker.
After 2 hours 45 mins I was on top of Bidean a'Ghlas Thuill looking at the classic view.

An Teallach

Another 45 mins and I was on Sgurr Fiona

The Corrag Buidhe

I heard a distant buzz and then the unmistakeable thump thump thump of the rescue helicopter as it closed in rapidly and swept round the corrie.
In the spotlight

Getting closer

….and closer

An impressive sight and sound directly below me, it headed round the back of the Corrag Buidhe out of sight, then after about 20 mins was gone. I decided to go over the pinnacles and then u-turn back on the bypass. Before that I tripped over the cairn on Fiona and a painted stone fell out. On the back of the stone was a name and a number. For some reason I decided to say farewell to it and throw it off the side of the hill, to me it was "I woz ere" graffiti that would encourage more. I doubt if it will ever be seen again but it will be on the mountain forever which may or may not please its creator On my return journey I tried the WH route over Sron a Choire & Meall Garbh as a slight variation and disturbed this fellow and his pals basking in the sun.

Billy the Kid?

A great solo outing on An Teallach with few others about.

When I got back to Inverness I went to the doctor and said to him-
"Doctor, I keep dreaming that I'm a mountain goat!"
He said -
"Has this been going on since you were a kid?"

[Alteknacker]

Admirably succinct. Superb pics of AT - definitely a mountain to which the adjective "iconic" can be properly applied.

Strange conversation with your doctor....

[EmmaKTunskeen]

Admirably succinct. Superb pics of AT

Hear hear. Loved this Looks as though the helicopter was out for a lower leg injury. Dundonnell MRT and Coastguard heli.

[bar72]

Having just Compleated first round in May, I'm going to revisit all the summits I did in horrendous weather again. Fortunately, AT was one I was up in similar fine conditions that you've had. Some cracking photo's there

[Sunset tripper]

Admirably succinct. Superb pics of AT - definitely a mountain to which the adjective "iconic" can be properly applied.

Strange conversation with your doctor....

Cheers Alteknacker - maybe I should give up the jokes.

Admirably succinct. Superb pics of AT

Hear hear. Loved this Looks as though the helicopter was out for a lower leg injury. Dundonnell MRT and Coastguard heli.

Thanks for your comments Emma. I had a feeling the helicopter was not on a training exercise. Hopefully not a serious injury.

Having just Compleated first round in May, I'm going to revisit all the summits I did in horrendous weather again. Fortunately, AT was one I was up in similar fine conditions that you've had. Some cracking photo's there

Thanks bar 72. I agree hills like An Teallach have to be seen in decent conditions. All the best with your revisits.

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

Brilliant photos - and the goat one is fantastic!

The painted stone in the summit cairn is a bit like a geocache. The activity is mostly done by children but some adults find it therapeutic to paint stones - it is popular with people with neurodiversity issues such as autism.

The idea is that you paint a stone and hide it, then someone finds it and takes it somewhere else. (They can also get in touch with you on Facebook, apparently - but my knowledge of Facebook is zero!

The stone's "travels" can also be on Facebook - a bit like the gnome in the film Amelie.

It is probably a craze that will die out soon. Last year every tree in my local woods had a "fairy door" at the bottom of it; they have all disappeared now.

Tim

[Sunset tripper]

Cheers Tim. My knowledge of Facebook is probably similar to yours. Hadn't heard of that craze before, fairly harmless I guess. I will look out for more painted stones to liberate.