Playing hide and seek with the hill fog on Sgor Gaoith

[sloosh]

Sgor Gaoith2.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Set off walking through the woods from the starting point and was quickly at the large boulder marking that start of the Scottish Natural Heritage National Nature Reserve - then the path forked.

Followed my infallible sense of direction and took the right-hand path, crossed the bridge and continued up the track for a short while. For once, actually listened to the quiet voice in my head telling me something wasn't right and dug the Satmap out of my rucksack. Yep. I was on the wrong path. Turned around (thank goodness for satnav), re-crossed the bridge, returned to the fork and chose the left-hand route, the correct path. Headed up this terrific built-path through the pine and followed it for several kilometers until it abruptly ended at Allt a' Chrom-alltain.

Then it was onto a track created by many boots, visible from the built path for quite a distance, and up for a few hundred metres until that too abruptly petered out. Saw a path crossing the hillside pretty much from north to south but couldn't tell if it was an old deer or sheep track or if it was an easy route to the bealach to the south but given my track record of blindly following random paths and ending up going off in the wrong direction I opted to ignore it and instead make a bee-line for the plateau.

Was a wee bit disappointed the hill fog hadn't lifted but hoped that by the time I made the top the cloud base would lift enough to reward my efforts with some nice views. Reached the summit plateau and was battered by the ever-increasing wind as it blasted across the top. Cloud began to lift a little and I could make out the top of the munro but I was keen to see the cliffs so I made my way towards the edge rather than the summit and hoped the wind didn't gust hard enough to blow me over it!

Hill fog began breaking up - perfect!

Sat for about an hour enjoying the ever-changing views then headed off towards Geal-charn. Hill fog had returned to Sgor Gaoith by the time I got there.

Flopped in the shelter cairn and managed to grab a quick picture of a very large and strange looking bird that looked like a cross between a grouse and a large pigeon. Turned out to be a rock.

.

[Paul Webster]

I don't think it's a pigeon.... could it be a rock-dove?

I like seeing where you went wrong on the map. GPS tracks are a good way of spying on people's slip-ups and checking they got to the top

[sloosh]

I like seeing where you went wrong on the map.

I was tempted to edit that part out. I doubt it will be the last time.

[hills]

I kept this for a clear day, and boy was that rewarded, what a viewpoint this is.

[sloosh]

I was dreading getting to the top and it being completely shrouded in hill fog. In fact I thought I'd misjudged the weather when I got to the top and the fog hadn't lifted. Wasn't what I expected at all but then it began to clear and it all worked out fine -- exactly what I'd hoped for.

[Chumpster]

Hey Sloosh,

I did Sgor Gaoith after reading this last week. Thanks to your report I avoided the right turn at the begining, but I can see how tempting it could be! I was less lucky with the hillfog at the top but I did get a few moments between clouds to get an idea how good the view could be. That pigeon was still there!

[sloosh]

Hey Chumpster.

At least my wee detour turned out to be useful to someone.

It's a shame the hill fog didn't give you a break as the views are tremendous. tbh, this is one hill I'd be happy to do again (minus the wrong turns of course).

[Chumpster]

Same! maybe in the Spring once I have a few more munroes under my belt.

[monty]

HI Sloosh,
Excellent pictures down into the valley with the rocks below Sgor Gaoith. I regulary run past the main track and have to backtrack but then I am normally in too much of a hurry Nice report

[sloosh]

HI Sloosh,
Excellent pictures down into the valley with the rocks below Sgor Gaoith. I regulary run past the main track and have to backtrack but then I am normally in too much of a hurry Nice report

Thanks.

Aha! You run round the munros! I knew it! That's the walker's equivalent of taking a funicular railway.

I often put my head down and follow the path in front of me only to realise a little way (or a long way) further on that I'm going in the wrong direction. At least I'm getting better at checking the satnav -- only a few hundred metres the wrong way last time.

[gedme]

Great photos and it does look like a bird. Great write up to would like to do this to.