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Blown off Beinn Ghlas

Blown off Beinn Ghlas


Postby AlexFrood » Sun Jan 11, 2015 2:35 pm

Munros included on this walk: Beinn Ghlas

Date walked: 02/01/2015

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Beinn Ghlas is Gealic for the grey-green hill. It definitely was as we spent most of the January 2nd looking at it on our hands and knees thought are orange tinted goggles. Windy was an understatement

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This morning was the same as others on this winter trip I awoke in my van with one of my walking friends, it was nice to only have one other person in the van unlike the 5 people we had sleeping in it at new year. whilst my other friend was in his van parked next to mine.

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We had a later start than normal and headed up the path from the Ben Lawers car park towards Beinn Ghlas. we only planned to do Beinn Ghlas and maybe Ben Lawers if the wind wasn’t to strong.

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Turns out it was.

The walk up to the ridge was pretty sheltered and even seemed like it was going to be nice on top but we kept coming across people coming back.

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When we hit the ridge it was pretty windy but nothing to bad, but after about 400 meter on the ridge we were getting flatted by the wind.

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If it hadn’t off been such a broad ridge we would of turned around and headed back, but as there was no real risk of being literally blown off the mountain we carried on, however we did give ourselfs a cut off time to reach the summit.

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The final half km to the summit was a mix of crawling on all fours and hiding behind the little cover there was. as well and sprinting as fast of we could in the few seconds when there was no wind.

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The winds had fun beating us up and our kits. breaking one of my pole tips and a gaiter ( top image )

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We finally made the summit where the winds has almost died. From there we had a quick break before heading to the Bealach of Beinn Ghlas and Meall Corranaich. We where treated to a great looking sunset coming down the hill.

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I hope you have enjoy this wee trip report. There are far more to come this winter season from me.

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AlexFrood
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Re: Blown off Beinn Ghlas

Postby simon-b » Sun Jan 11, 2015 3:14 pm

That sounded like a real battle, Alex. Well done for getting to the top of Beinn Ghlas. It's no surprise you didn't try carrying on to Ben Lawers. I wouldn't have fancied that little road up from Loch Tay in those conditions either; you must have faith in your van!
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Re: Blown off Beinn Ghlas

Postby sonic » Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:22 pm

That looked very wild mate, amazing the difference between the Friday and Saturday walk reports :shock:
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Re: Blown off Beinn Ghlas

Postby Mantog » Sun Jan 11, 2015 9:47 pm

Great pictures!
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Re: Blown off Beinn Ghlas

Postby Silverhill » Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:48 pm

Great pictures which really capture the windy conditions. 8) Requires some guts to go out in weather like that!
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Re: Blown off Beinn Ghlas

Postby kevsbald » Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:32 pm

Captures the 'insanity' of it all. Bet it was liberating.
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Re: Blown off Beinn Ghlas

Postby dogplodder » Mon Jan 12, 2015 5:57 pm

Atmospheric pics there - and sounds like that was hard work! :shock:
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Re: Blown off Beinn Ghlas

Postby AlexFrood » Wed Jan 14, 2015 12:49 pm

Thanks for the comments, it was an entertaining on the day. it was a lot of fun capturing the day as well, made think as an photographer.
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Re: Blown off Beinn Ghlas

Postby Sarah86 » Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:45 pm

As much as I wouldn't want to have been in your shoes you photos are amazing and really capture the essence of the day.
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