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Finally my day off !!!
Despite my busy schedule on monday, I wanted refresh myself by walk in the mountains again as it was over three weeks since my last mountains adventure. The weather forecast was promising for some areas in Scotland
, but because of my limited time I was thinking about something nearby and quicker...Schiehallion chosen !
Leaving home in the rain I was hoping that the forecast is right about Schiehallion, but some doubts made me think about plan B and C also
( plan B and plan C prepared the night before like usual )
I started my trip not very early so I was worried and wondering if there will be a free space in the car park, as I expected more walkers in the mountains after too many rainy-windy days...
The weather was improving during the way and surprisingly there was not any car at the car park
I paid the parking fee £2 per day ( ticket expires at midnight ), prepared all my stuff and started the walk looking forward to enjoy the mountain in clear snow with a hope of clear views
The ground was still wet after all the rainy days and melted snow, but the path is really good in any conditions...no wind at the bottom, no rain, blue sky behind some clouds and good visibility made the start optimistic...the top of the mountain was hidden in the clouds sometimes, but changes many times...big wish I will get there in the right time for some views around...
I missed my 3.5 years old daughter Cheyenne in this trip as she was there with me in december 2015 when we turned back because of strong cold wind when I did not want risk her health...Memories on the way, she was in my thoughts and I was thinking how she would enjoy the trip today.......
A little snow from first ascent, then more and more snow in the higher level. Clouds still moving, but the sunshine started dominate on the sky
I followed the path until the path disappeared under the snow, no footprints ahead and misty in some places when ascending...then clear sky and great visibility again in the higher level and beautiful inversion around
Shortly before the final ascent poor visibility again, but fortunately not for long. Some deep snow on the slopes, but boulders and ice on the plateau, windy on the top. There are more places with a low shelter on the way.
I reached the summit and spent some time there, enjoying the inversion views
Especially the South was beautiful with the sun, clear blue sky and clear white clouds. Darker and heavy clouds on the North.
I met a walker with his dog, still in higher level on my walk down , the visibility was not the best at the time...then I met another walker at the bottom - near the car park...he just started his walk. It was also a WH member hopper68 and he recognised me by this website
It was nice to meet you and hope you both got some views from the top as it was mostly misty there when I was looking back from the bottom
From the car park I decided to go via Loch Rannoch on my way home and try get the typical shot of Schiehallion from a distance, but unfortunately the top of the mountains was still in the clag all the time. A little disappointed that I was not able to get the shot where the conical shape of the mountain is visible, but I know that I can't have everything that day and overall very happy for all the inversion and clear views with the right timing...so rare but more appreciated by the way
Here is the photostory:
- Getting closer...shot from the road
- The empty car park
- Schiehallion in the clag
- Getting clearer sometimes...
- Looking back towards start point over the nice rest place
- Maybe there is a path...or maybe not !
- The border between the blue sky and the clouds, towards North-North-West
- Great clear snowy ground
- Another top ahead...darker clouds on the North
- Towards South, just crossed the animal's track
- In the level of clouds...
- In the middle of the Fog Bow - towards North
- The boulder level
- Towards Glen Lyon - South-West
- Better more snow than the boulders...
- Towards South
- ...and South-West again
- The gentle snowy slope
Here is my one and only company on the hill
( below ) "he is not going with me often as he is able walking in sunshine only...rare case !!! "
- My companion...the sun lover !
- Another bouldery area in the higher level
- Towards South-West, the clouds in lower level
- Inversion everywhere around...clearer on the Southy side
The report continues in the post - comment below