Carn Ealasaid sunrise

[litljortindan]

Set off from Corgarff car park at 2.50am with enough light to not need a headtorch. Got pretty cold pre-dawn higher up so I had my second layer on and, unusually for this time of year, big gloves on.
The Cairn Vaich ridge is broad but narrow enough for simultaneous views NE and SW. I also enjoyed the way the walk was unfolding before me when the track up changed direction. A view right then a view left, like the pages turning in a book.
I arrived at the summit at 4.27am, a few minutes before sunrise so I kept warm by extending the walk slightly to the west and doubling back at the estimated correct time. I had looked at the BBC sunrise time of c4.44am and knocked off ten minutes to allow for elevation and 4.34am seemed to be just about right.
I zoomed in on the rising sun and, almost inevitably, the sun was competing with a windfarm as photographic subject. Oh well, it was still not a bad sunrise.
I didn't hang about at the top but started and stopped on my way back down. Had to keep on the move because of the cold and because I aimed to get to the supermarket for 8.30am.
As well the fine sunrise to enjoy to the north east there was the subtle red glow across the Cairngorms in the opposite direction. There was no immediate lighting up of the hills, just a gently evolving painting of colours and cloud and hillside shadows.
Half way down the sun's warmth was asserting itself and I was able to take my hat and gloves off. Easy descent back to the car park.


The Buck.


Bennachie.


The A939 with Bennachie on the horizon. Ben Newe prominent on right.


The obligatory windfarm sunrise photo.




Pleased that I managed to muster the dexterity to take photos with gloves on. Usually I will snap away regardless of the cold so it must have been well below freezing or else I am starting to feel it more.






The Buck again.






Ben Rinnes and Corryhabbie..


Concentricity and eccentricity.




Ben Avon tors.












Braeriach.






















Lochnagar with Carn Oighreag in front. The latter doesn't look much from here but it makes a fine loop walk from Corgarff Castle.




The Buck.


Bennachie.

[larry groo]

Fabbo... well worth the early start!

[Gordie12]

Nice one (think I'll wait a couple of months till sunrise is at a more acceptable time )

[litljortindan]

Fabbo... well worth the early start!

Cheers! Made the shopping more bearable anyway.

[litljortindan]

Nice one (think I'll wait a couple of months till sunrise is at a more acceptable time )

It did knock me out a bit the next day but definitely worth it.