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Lochnagar

Lochnagar


Postby soulminer » Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:43 pm

Munros included on this walk: Lochnagar

Date walked: 12/07/2013

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Holidays are indeed what we look forward to for most of the working year. This one was booked later than normal, so had to arrange some walking hills for me and the Chaos Collies.
It had been some time since I had been on the round for Lochnagar, no views from the summit of most of the five- pretty dreich, but Cats,Dogs and Buckets on Cac Carn Beag.
Decided to have an early start, as the temp for the day was likely to reach just under 30deg later in the day, walked in that heat before and it is punishing, for humans, to say the least- but the dogs would struggle ! Up at 0330, organised ourselves- 2l of water for me, and 3l for the dogs- they would be able to drink their fill on the route down.

A couple of pics from the road in:

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DSCN0158 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0162 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0163 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Arrived at the carpark at 0515, or so the ticket said :wink: Readied up and off. Looked like it would be a fine walk today with a few more views that the time before. Some grunting going on from the deer in the mist, and the sun slowly rising on the route out.

Arran and Glen enjoying the cool air- for now !

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DSCN0165 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0170 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Deer in the mist:

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DSCN0171 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Zoomed:

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DSCN0172 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0176 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0179 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

A glow of gold in the air today as the sun pushed its way upwards from behind the hill. Yes you can photograph it, but it is not the same as watching it live !

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DSCN0180 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0183 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Caught in the middle of the picture, then zoomed :

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DSCN0184 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0185 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Across to the Lodge and followed the path through the stand of trees. The dogs sniffing the air, all sorts of wild life today- deer, rabbits and birds :) The steady plod up the path, crossed the burn and onwards with an occasional look back at the glowing horizon.

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DSCN0188 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

It was hot already, a stop for refreshment for the three of us, and the steady climb. Not pushing it hard today, just a leisurely amble towards, what is, a fine viewpoint. Turned off at the cairn and headed across the traverse path round Meikle Pap. A ptarmigan shot out with its 'wounded wing 'routine, only to be ignored by the dogs who were just sauntering at their own pace :lol:

About to hit the sunshine :

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DSCN0193 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Mist filling in the gaps :

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DSCN0194 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Another refreshment break, in view of the Corrie :

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DSCN0197 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0198 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

In the other direction :

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DSCN0200 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0204 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0213 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Meikle Pap :

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DSCN0207 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Last stop before the cliffs :

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DSCN0218 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Across the plateau and turning up towards the ridgeline. The heat was now building, and it was only 07:30, it was going to be Scorchio !!. At the cliffs there was slight breeze, which was enjoyed by all three :D A stunning vista to behold.

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DSCN0222 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0227 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0229 by BoydBlair, on Flickr


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DSCN0236 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Across to the best of viewpoints, and a better breeze 8) :lol:

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DSCN0255 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0257 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0245 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0259 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0263 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

We spent an age just staring out at the beauty surrounding us, sponging in the atmos'. I bloody love holidays like this, and so do the Chaos Collies- all this time with ME !! :wink: :lol:

We set off for the Glas Allt Glen route down, a stream to bathe our roasting heads in :D

A wee glimpse back from whence we came :

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DSCN0264 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

It was now very warm, and little breeze to stave off the heat. But the boys just jumped in the burn to cool off.

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DSCN0265 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

A fine route down, most enjoyable.

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DSCN0266 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0270 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0271 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0275 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0281 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

It was a treat to reach the woods and some shade at last ! More refreshment and our troop back along Loch Muick.

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DSCN0282 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0286 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Always time for another dip 8)

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DSCN0287 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0289 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

A warm walk back to the car park, broke out the Shemagh scarf- a great way to stay cool, some weird looks from the sunburned passers-bye though :shock:

A final couple of shots, some locals I had seen this morning :)

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DSCN0291 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

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DSCN0292 by BoydBlair, on Flickr

Back home in time to go for lunch.

Royal Deeside at it best, great weather and walking.

Cheers.
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Re: Lochnagar

Postby weaselmaster » Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:01 pm

Absolutely stunning photos!
What a fantastic day you had
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Re: Lochnagar

Postby RicKamila » Mon Jul 15, 2013 10:58 pm

Awesome photos. I've always wanted to head out at that time on a clear sunny day and do a hill walk, but we keep over-sleeping. Maybe this weekend if the weathers fine :D

Love your dogs, I want a couple of collies one day :D
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Re: Lochnagar

Postby Bod » Tue Jul 16, 2013 1:05 am

Lovely pictures and what characters Arran and Glen are...... :D :D :clap:
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Re: Lochnagar

Postby Mountainlove » Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:50 pm

Fantastic pictures !! Have to say sometimes it makes sense to get up early. :) :)
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Re: Lochnagar

Postby malky_c » Tue Jul 16, 2013 1:01 pm

As usual, you show the benefit of getting up early :D . I was up Lochnagar later on the same day - I stayed in Gelder Shiel bothy but still couldn't drag my arse out of bed before 8am!

Love the stag photos in particular. Saw a lot of them around on Carn a' Choire Bhoideach, but couldn't get close enough for such good photos.
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Re: Lochnagar

Postby foggieclimber » Tue Jul 16, 2013 4:25 pm

Stunning!!!!!!!
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Re: Lochnagar

Postby soulminer » Tue Jul 16, 2013 9:32 pm

Cheers all 8) :thumbup:
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Re: Lochnagar

Postby rockhopper » Tue Jul 16, 2013 11:12 pm

A cracking set of photos :thumbup: - misty, layering effect over the hills looks superb - cheers :)
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Re: Lochnagar

Postby dogplodder » Wed Jul 17, 2013 7:02 am

Been missing your reports - so glad to see these pics appearing. :clap:

Your views in the morning light are stunning and your hill/dog pics the best I've ever seen. Give those gorgeous collies a biscuit from me. :D
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Re: Lochnagar

Postby Sarah86 » Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:54 am

What a stunning set of photos to capture your day. The early morning ones are beautiful, also love the shots of your dogs at the summit :)
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Re: Lochnagar

Postby sross » Sat Jul 27, 2013 2:11 pm

Gorgeous photos. Shows the benefits of not lagging about first thing in the morning. Including border collies in any picture, just makes it that much better! :D
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Re: Lochnagar

Postby ChrisW » Sat Jul 27, 2013 6:42 pm

Absolutely perfect Soulminer, stunning photos all the way. I remember taking this route myself in very good conditions but clearly I should have started out earlier, those morning shots are fantastic, the two deer in the mist is my favourite. Superb report and pics :clap:

Not sure about the Shemagh scarf on the Balmoral Estate though, a couple of people have run into Prince charles while taking in Lochnagar.....wouldn't want the royal protection squad to mistake you for a terrorist :shock: .. :lol: :lol:
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Re: Lochnagar

Postby litljortindan » Sat Jul 27, 2013 8:58 pm

Great stuff. Don't think I've seen a better set of pictures of Lochnagar and surroundings.
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Re: Lochnagar

Postby soulminer » Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:38 pm

Terrorist Chris, arrestable or guilty without charge ? - not me :-)

Image
945175_529870203746874_2010519008_n[1] by BoydBlair, on Flickr
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