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When I woke up this morning heavy rain pattered on the wooden shell of my "hobbit house" at Loch Shin Pods and I was quite glad for this little break to have time to relax and to consider options and plans for the following days, when around noon the rain suddenly stopped and the fog lifted.
It didn't take long to get ready and if the weatherforecast was realiable it should stay dry at least, so I took the chance to head for Ben Hope.
Last autumn I came over for a week to do the two most notherly munros, but the weather was not very bright and I didn't dare to go because of the short days, so I finally decided to postpone these walks for the summer.
I never have many chances to wait for better weather during my holidays in Scotland, but for this most notherly munro I really hoped for good views. When I left Loch Shin the sky was still cloudy but the further I drove the sunnier it became, shall I be lucky, I wondered?
When I arrived a quarter past two some walkers were coming back already, no wonder considering my late start and it looked as if it has not rained at all over here. The sun was shining and it was quite warm. That cheered me up a lot and made me forget my tired legs.
- It is always a relief to see a sign marking the start of a walk
Although steep the path offered good going: dry, no bogs, only few muddy places which I could avoid. I didn't hurry, I knew it was not such a long distance so I saved my energy and enjoyed the scenery while gaining hight step by step and meeting one couple after another on their way down.
- looking back to the vally
- blue sky!
- walkers on their way back
- the almost final pull
When I reached the summit I had it all on my own!
- The trigpoint
And I actually had great views which the clouds around couldn't really spoil because there were always clear places which makes such a scenery only more interesting, I think.
- happy, happy
I took my time to look around, taking pictures and videos, hardly believing my luck and the change of the weather.
- I am always fascinated by these cliffs and crags
- view over the edge
- cairn at the end of the summit
- some more dramatic impressions
- the North
- and smile!
- towards east
- the plateau
Still it was quite windy on the top but not as bad as on An Teallach the week before.
On my way back I took some more pictures.
- impression from the descend
- Strathmore River
- the valley with Strathmore River
It was a perfect day for my 44th munro and I am very happy that I have accomplished this number on the most notherly of Scotland, very special and unique like the tiny little yellow flower beaming among the strong purple bunch of heather.
While leaving and looking back I saw the clouds covering the mountain.
- Looking back and saying goodbye to the mountain
- https://www.strava.com/activities/2579292128/embed/bb5383fee2c63489f6157b9c162ecba8dc5c4cae
