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Light show on Ben Lui

Light show on Ben Lui


Postby Gavin99 » Sun Nov 06, 2011 8:51 pm

Route description: Ben Lui and Beinn a'Chlèibh

Munros included on this walk: Beinn a' Chlèibh, Ben Lui

Date walked: 06/11/2011

Time taken: 6 hours

Distance: 9.5 km

Ascent: 1020m

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After a long tiring trip the previous day being driven (in style) up to Glenshee to climb Glas Tulaichean and Carn an Righ , somewhere closer to home was in order to make the most of what promised to be another fine day . I was on the road before 7 and was glad of the early start as progress was slow up a very foggy Loch Lomond. Thankfully the fog cleared and I was parked up and on walking for 8 . I had brought sandals to wade the river but wasn't brave enough so I put on gaitors and just charged / stumbled across, ending up on the far bank not too wet .
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River crossing

The route up through the forest is not the nicest and I was glad to close the gate behind me and get onto the open hill,the way from here obvious , heading east towards the north ridge of Ben Lui .
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Up through the Sitka
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The long and gentle slog up to Ben Lui

As I gained height the views opened up , Ben Cruachan and friends looking lovely poking their heads above the cloud.
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Dalmally hills

Once on the north ridge a decent path leads south towards the summit , opening up views over to Glen Orchy and beyond.
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On the ridge
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Beinn Chuirn and beyond

As I climbed the ridge the wet grass gave way to rock with a couple of little steps to negotiate, the summit looking great perched on the edge of the cliff.
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Approaching the summit

As I reached the summit ,Coire Gaothach to the east was filled wih mist , the low winter sun was behind me , and there it was , or rather there I was !
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Brocken Spectre

After much waving of arms and legs , watching my giant shadow follow suit , I sat down at the cairn for a bite to eat , being joined by a nice chap up from the Lake District who had been watching my antics from afar. Thankfully he understood!
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View south from cairn
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More trickery

The views to the south were lovely , the Arrochar hills standing above the cloud , the Loch Lomond basin still full of fog ,we sat and nattered , spotting far away Arran and Mull .
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Beinn Ime and Co.
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Ben Lomond
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Closer view of foggy Loch Lomond

As we headed our separate ways I couldn't resist one more photo of the spectre ,then it was off west towards the bealach
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Last look
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View over to Beinn a'Chleibh
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View south over Coire Annaich

The ascent of Beinn a'Chleibh is easy ,maybe the best part of the summit is the view back to Ben Lui, still it's a fine grassy plateau for a wander around ,though obviously not to the taste of the two who charged up behind me ,touched the cairn , about -turned and sped off without even looking around at the view . Whilst on the summit I heard a quad approaching , driven by a friendly farmer who stopped for a chat . He was trying to round up sheep to get them down for the winter and had been waiting a month for good weather . I thought it sounded a nice way to pass a Sunday until he told me they had 8000 acres to search !
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Cairn and Ben Lui
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The easy way up

Once back at the bealach an obvious path heads north through the corrie to the gate at the forest , I don't think there is any decent way down through this place , even the newer route has become a quagmire .
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Down to the forest

As I crossed the river I was in no hurry this time ,washing off the muck from the forest , before heading back to a now packed car park . Driving down into Glen Falloch and the fog on the way home I did have just a wee peek in the mirror , just in case my Brocken Spectre was following , no such luck ! :D
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Gavin99
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Re: Light show on Ben Lui

Postby pollyh33 » Sun Nov 06, 2011 8:55 pm

Gavin,

What a report! I really enjoyed this, your photos are amazing!

I'm glad its not just me who finds Brocken Spectres more than just a wee bit creepy! :lol: :shock:


Fab stuff :D
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pollyh33
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Re: Light show on Ben Lui

Postby U059361 » Sun Nov 06, 2011 8:59 pm

Well done, fab day for spectres right enough, great photos.
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Re: Light show on Ben Lui

Postby Gavin99 » Sun Nov 06, 2011 9:42 pm

Thanks UO , there was beautiful light today , a few more reports with inversions and rainbows being posted by others after the day.
Polly , I see you had good fun coming down through the forest yourself on this walk !
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Re: Light show on Ben Lui

Postby pollyh33 » Sun Nov 06, 2011 9:44 pm

Gavin99 wrote:Thanks UO , there was beautiful light today , a few more reports with inversions and rainbows being posted by others after the day.
Polly , I see you had good fun coming down through the forest yourself on this walk !



Oh aye! Very grateful for that river near the end!!! :lol:
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pollyh33
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Re: Light show on Ben Lui

Postby Bod » Sun Nov 06, 2011 10:06 pm

Well done, great effort! It's been a fantastic weekend for many......brocken spectre's and all :D
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Re: Light show on Ben Lui

Postby Torridon_snails » Sun Nov 06, 2011 11:15 pm

Wonderful pictures - thanks for posting them.

All the best,

Daniel and Clare
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Re: Light show on Ben Lui

Postby Alastair S » Mon Nov 07, 2011 10:42 am

Nice report & some lovely photos - always love it when you get above the clouds.

My first reaction on read was "where's the snow then?" I'd misread the title to be "Light snow on Ben Lui" :lol: Certainly cold enough for it over here in the east.
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Re: Light show on Ben Lui

Postby Fudgie » Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:40 am

I enjoyed reading that. I'm hoping to tackle this one soon but I don't hold out much hope of getting the same weather as yourself.
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Re: Light show on Ben Lui

Postby Gavin99 » Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:19 pm

Torridon_snails wrote:Wonderful pictures - thanks for posting them.

All the best,

Daniel and Clare

Cheers Daniel and Clare , loved your recent Liathach report , magic !
Alastair S wrote:Nice report & some lovely photos - always love it when you get above the clouds.

My first reaction on read was "where's the snow then?" I'd misread the title to be "Light snow on Ben Lui" :lol: Certainly cold enough for it over here in the east.

Hopefully not too long to wait , :D
Fudgie wrote:I enjoyed reading that. I'm hoping to tackle this one soon but I don't hold out much hope of getting the same weather as yourself.

Hope you get a good day for it , good luck , especially in the forest !
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