walkhighlands

an Teallach, Dundonnell

Route: An Teallach, Dundonnell

Munros: Bidein a' Ghlas Thuill (An Teallach), Sgùrr Fiona (An Teallach)

Date walked: 16/11/2011

Time taken: 5 hours

Distance: 10km

Ascent: 1000m

Setting out from Grantown on Spey at around 5.30 am, I reckoned this would be my last chance, possibly, to capture the stunning views that would be on offer( subject to the forecast of clear blue skies being correct), on An Teallach. It was 3℃ below driving to Carrbridge, and a crumpled heatseeking roe deer on the roadside confirmed the low temperature. This would be my third ascent of An Teallach athough the spectacular ridge itself has not yet felt my bootsoles. On my first outing this was due to wild weather, and then, due to too late a start on the second....
Inverness was cold and fogbound.
I stopped at the 24 hour Tesco and stored up with the necessary mountaineering provisions, a Tesco BLT triple sandwich, double, a Tesco double Cajun Chicken Wrap Single and 4 Rice Krispie Squares, twice.
There was no chatting with the checkout girl about my pending expedition as I scanned my rations, quietly and robotically, and similarily with my fuel purchase, the fuel pump was not in the least bit interested.
It wasn't until I was leaving Garve that the thick mist showed signs of decreasing, and then it showed signs of thickening which then impacted on the quickening, which as you well know, is another well known Highlander phenomenon.
The glint in the gloaming hung patiently as I pulled into the lay-by at Dundonnell House. I got out for a stretch and the silence could be heard all around, but I was early and shuteye for half an hour.

The Moon and the stars shone and sparkled, but their brightness subtly encapsulated in the aurora of the threatening sunrise. I increased my pace quickly on the ascent, needing to be high enough to capture the first filters. A farmdog barked, at my hurried stonestepping, in the distance and my disturbance of the path adorning ferns also startled some contemplative moorland grouse.
DSC_0347.JPG

DSC_0344.JPG


The path was familiar and I quickly climbed to my first stop, a plateau of monolithic randomly parked rocks and in the distnce the Summer Isles looking ever bit their namesake.
DSC_0429.JPG


Every now and then I heard voices behind me, and would look back for my followers, but there was not another soul to be seen, that happens though....doesn't it?

The ghostly voices were interuppted by a trio laid back Ptarmigan.
DSC_0379.JPG




My time was good, but decided, that daylight hours left ( 3.5 Hours) would not be enough to comfortably complete the rigde walk of the Sgurr Fiona and the Corrag Buidhe pinnacles.
DSC_0488.JPG

DSC_0402.JPG

DSC_0457.JPG


and I doubt I will be completing it in 2011, unless someone wants to take me in their winter expedition...
but the decision not to go on, allowed me to, once more, appreciate and be grateful for,....the stillness, the sought after stillness, that evades us all.......
DSC_0471.JPG

DSC_0433.JPG

DSC_0417.JPG

Click to mark this as a great report. Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Comments: 4



Beinn Eighe (western summits)

Attachment(s) Munros: Ruadh-stac Mòr (Beinn Eighe), Spidean Coire nan Clach (Beinn Eighe)
Date walked: 04/09/2010
Comments: 3
Views: 4927


The Saddle (incomplete)

Attachment(s) Date walked: 24/07/2010
Ascent: 600m
Comments: 6
Views: 3237


Carn nan Gobhar (Loch Mullardoch)

Attachment(s) Munros: Càrn nan Gobhar (Loch Mullardoch)
Date walked: 29/05/2010
Comments: 1
Views: 3547


An Teallach, Dundonnell

Attachment(s) Munros: Bidein a' Ghlas Thuill (An Teallach), Sgùrr Fiona (An Teallach)
Date walked: 23/05/2010
Comments: 3
Views: 5921


May Day Stroll

Attachment(s) Fionas: Meall Fuar-mhonaidh
Date walked: 01/05/2010
Comments: 4
Views: 5133


Maol Chean-dearg ascent, Coulags

Attachment(s) Munros: Maol Chean-dearg
Date walked: 26/04/2010
Comments: 7
Views: 6282


Ben Eighe- Coire Mhic Fhearchair

Attachment(s) Date walked: 13/04/2010
Distance: 18km
Ascent: 600m
Comments: 4
Views: 6571


Ben Lomond

Attachment(s) Munros: Ben Lomond
Date walked: 28/03/2010
Views: 3551

chaserjay


Location: Grantown on Spey
Occupation: Chartered Builder, Drystane Dyker, Writer, Chaser
Interests: Walking, Talking, Looking, Booking, Writing, Exciting
Activity: Munro compleatist
Pub: Carbost Inn
Mountain: Inaccesible Pinnacle
Place: Skye
Ideal day out: A Scary Scramble
Ambition: To do it all

Munros: 41

Contact:



Filter reports


Statistics

2011

Trips: 1
Distance: 10 km
Ascent: 1000m
Munros: 2

2010

Trips: 8
Distance: 18 km
Ascent: 1200m
Munros: 7
Fionas: 1


Joined: May 27, 2007
Last visited: May 12, 2023
Total posts: 32 | Search posts