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It was almost one month since my last Mountains Trip
...but I had not any other option all the time as after my operation on the half of September the prognosis sounded cruelly: at least 4 weeks at home without doing anything...no any strain or difficultness for at least 6 weeks
so my hope was to get back to the mountains on the end of October. Hard to imagine to stay so long without a mountain, but hard to imagine to do any movement or hillwalking for me shortly after the operation...to be honest
Fortunately much better feelings in the 3rd week after and then the weather forecast looked really and unbelievably very good and what was more exciting the forecast was very promising for the West !!!
Mostly the West is rainy, foggy and without a good visibility comparing to the East which changed my plans many times before, but now...really great forecast and also dry days before the date made me think about the trip. Maybe a little risky still...but i started believe that everything will be all right and is time to try...take it easy...not a strain...a good ground for it there...And also my natural feelings and trust based on my evinced experience about healing power from the mountains made me determined to prepare for the hills finally !
Kintail was one of my goals for this year and now was the great opportunity to get some views of the beautiful area including the whole South Glen Shiel Ridge which I did in summer 2015 in misty conditions so I would see how it looks from the distance
I did also more Kintail Munros before and it was the another reason to get there now as I am usually not finishing an area, keeping still some hills there to do and spreading my trips across all country which gives me the opportunity - higher chance to chose the best from more areas in case of different weather forecast, keeping still some nearby hills for shorter winter days and also for my photo collection as I am trying to do the areas in different season to catch the beauty in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter
A little worried about my fitness after the month and also if the wound is healed enough, but believed, trusted to my feelings...determined ! Looking forward to feel the mountains !
Originally i planned these 3 Munros together with their 2 neighbours, but the bad weather conditions there in my free days, oncoming shorter daylight and my ( probably ) limited condition made the decision done because the forecast for Kintail was extremely good and even better than other areas in Scotland...so better to use it now even separately than wait forever and also it's easier - gentle for me for the beginning
I can't describe the feelings which was also powered by the great weather...the feelings of nature...beauty...and the healing by the MOUNTAINS ! Such a beautiful golden day in Kintail
Kintail in Winter, Summer and Autumn in my photo records now...looking forward to catch the Spring there next time !
The Forecast:
- Fresh Weather Forecast checked very early morning...looked more than promising
Some stops for morning's shots:The Commando Memorial in sunrise - Spean BridgeLoch GarryThe view over Loch Garry towards West......and towards EastBeautiful Autumnal morning in coloursThe view over Loch Loyne from the top......and from the lower level.................................................................................................................................................................................................
...and finally there ! North of Loch Cluanie - 3 Munros my target...with the view of South Glen Shiel Ridge opposite...later on:................................................................................................................................................................................................
...and here is the route from beginning:The car park on A87 next to Loch CluanieEasy to find the initial path just across the roadLooking back towards the road A87 and Loch CluanieThe path well signed even on the rocky ground The views towards SouthNice path upTowards South Glen Shiel Ridge over Loch CluanieNearly on the topBen Nevis zoomedThe summit of Carn Ghluasaid, Sgurr nan Conbhairean in the background...some descents and ascents betweenCloser to the 2nd MunroSgurr nan Conbhairean summitViews from the summit Looking back towards Sgurr nan Conbhairean after descendingThe neighbours: A'Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire Sgurr nan Conbhairean - now from the distance...and more distanced3rd Munro done, The summit of Sail Chaorainn. Thanks for this pic belongs to the two walkers from Edinburgh who had a great weekend in Kintail...it was nice to met you guys
A'Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire from Sail ChaorainnOn the way backTurned right ( on the slope of Sgurr nan Conbhairean )for the descend on the ridgeA'Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire again...The descend route: straight on and then left over the ridge towards Loch CluanieThe 1st Munro Carn Ghluasaid just oppositeSgurr nan ConbhaireannThe Brothers...The Sisters...and part of The South Glen Shiel Ridge Panorama of the DayGlen Shiel and the Cluanie Inn next to the road in the distanceLoch CluanieThe boggy descent ahead, but not so bad in this time - thanks to the dry previous days...anyway some care needed there !Walking along the roadBack in the car park