free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
The title has a particular significance.My daughter Ashleigh is working over in Switzerland. A week, or so, ago she sent her Gran a post card, and decided as her Gran got one- so would we. Ours was a stunning picture of a sunset behind Cape au Moine-1941m, with the script added-
'We live just at the top of this mountain, the view is nice,but a little tiring treking to and from work every morning- ha,ha ' So I decided to send her a sunrise pic behind some other Alps for her bloody cheek
!!
It was looking good for my day off- clear skies and a forecast of fog
But unfortunately the latter didn't materialise
Set off early as usual, and arrived at the carpark under a bejewelled sky. It was a little on the chilly side with a fair old frost
So boots on, head torch on and off to climb Beinn an Lochain in the dark
The stream was rushing fairly fast, and the stepping stones were just being covered so as not to have frozen
The ground did still have a squelchy quality to it, but nothing to sink too deeply into. The sky was amazing to stare at with the torch switched off- little twinklies and a beaming moon.I did not take too many stops, as I wanted to be on the summit in around 90 mins, so just plodded on to a set pace.
A few on the way up:
IMGP1463 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1467 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1469 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1468 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
The sky was now beginning to catch alight, a bit like the smile on my face
Planning is such a practical art
Developing colours spilling along the horizon- lovely
IMGP1472 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1475 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1477 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Enough pic taking crack on with the job at hand. It may be there was enough light to see,or my eyes had just grown used to the half light, for the torch to be pocketed.
Up ahead was looking a bit lighter
IMGP1478 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Some views from around
IMGP1480 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1482 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1491 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Approaching the summit
IMGP1496 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
The summit itself with a nice backdrop
IMGP1500 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
With a different backdrop
IMGP1501 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
It never ceases to amaze me how different the sky the sky appears on the opposite side of a sunrise
The air was cold with a slight wind to lower the temp. The final 100m, or so, had been a tad icy and my breath was puffing out like a chimney
But it was a fine sight to view
IMGP1503 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Zoomed shot of the Cobbler
IMGP1508 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1510 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
A shot from the South Top
IMGP1517 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Back to the Summit
IMGP1519 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Sunrise
IMGP1520 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1522 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Summit and backdrop
IMGP1530 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1531 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Casting a red glow
IMGP1534 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1536 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Another Cobbler zoom
IMGP1538 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1547 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
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BoydBlair, on Flickr
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BoydBlair, on Flickr
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BoydBlair, on Flickr
I was just taking shot after shot, with the odd swig of the bean to heat 'dem bones' . I spent ages on the summit sponging in all the goodness. I had to leave, as I had my wifes car- as mines has a cracked manifold so did not want to chance it. A pity as the dogs would have been happy to join me, but alas not this time- two Collies and me in a Corsa, that is an equation that does not balance !!
IMGP1563 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1567 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Self portrait
IMGP1569 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Heading back down
IMGP1577 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1580 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1585 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1589 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Last view of the moon
IMGP1593 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
IMGP1592 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
Final pic
IMGP1598 by
BoydBlair, on Flickr
A totally wonderful wee amble this morning, it is times like this that makes an old man happy
And Ashleigh- I hope you enjoyed your view of the 'Alps' I sent you