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The MWIS site predicted a low level cloud base and possible inversion
allowing the higher Munros to show through.
I should be so lucky
But...it was all the encouragement I needed as I couldn’t resist the opportunity for some photos.
Decided on Ben Lui at 1130 metres as a good candidate along with it’s neighbour
Beinn a’Chleibh at 916 metres to complete the walk.
Kitted up and left the car about 8.30am.
I’d been a little concerned that the River Lochay would be difficult to cross
so brought a pair of canvas shoes in case I needed to change and take the plunge
No need for them as it turned out, it was an easy walk across
although I couldn’t avoid some deeper parts (about 1 foot) so
hotfooted it and stayed dry thanks to boots and gaiters
Shoes were stashed, no point in carrying them all day
Is that someone spooky with a big cape on?
Up through here, darker than it looks here
It’s a beautiful walk up through the forest although it’s hard to avoid a few boggy steps along the way.
On clearing the forest both hills were covered in cloud and the ascent looked quite monotonous.
Looking back, well clear of the forest now.
Headed into the cloud with fingers crossed that the forecast would be accurate
and produce some nice views higher up.
All of a sudden I was in a different world, looked amazing but it was intermittent,
lasting a few seconds each time before cloud was all around me again.
Pushed on up and was rewarded with some nice but fleeting views.
Brocken Spectre, saw this several times but the sun was in and out of cloud so quickly
it was difficult to focus the camera as I couldn’t see a thing due to glare on the lcd
I was stopped here, at this cairn, for a while on what I initially thought was the summit.
The true summit suddenly appeared to my complete surprise as the cloud cleared around it
Very difficult to photograph as the light was changing quicker than I could set the camera.
Met one guy with his dog on Ben Lui summit and another 2 on the way down but there
weren’t many people on the hill today.
My Favourite shot of the day
I stayed atop Ben Lui for quite a while hoping it would clear but the cloud came down, or up
and no more shots to be had.
Got a few nice ones though so no complaints.
Headed down, then up Beinn a’Chleibh to complete the walk.
Took around 6 hours but I reckon you could knock quite a bit off that as it’s an easy walk
and I was waiting on Ben Lui summit, both of them
for ages taking pics.
This is one I’ll definitely be doing again.
David