A last minute decision, and brilliant weather forecast, had me setting my alarm very early. Hiking Beinn a'Chrulaiste had always been one I really was excited about doing. I knew the views of Buachaille Etive Mor would be brilliant. Sunrise is by far my favourite time of the day.. particularly when it comes to photography. It didn't disappoint.
I arrived in perfect time, just dark enough to still get a few night shots. -2°C at 04:30am. Think I caught a shooting star?
This exceeded every expectation I had. The sun still below the horizon the skies lit up pink all round. As soon as I seen the hints of pink skies lighting up the mountains I began hiking with my camera in hand instead of in the safety of my rucksack. The shutter count on my camera was flying up.
With summer approaching, no certainty of course in Scotland, I think I'll miss the snowy summits. I love the shapes and patterns in the untouched snow. The Mamores here catching the first of the morning sunlight looked amazing.
Hiking for me was hard work. My rucksack with camera gear and coffee kit weighed me down. The big boots, which have recently started hurting my feet, I didn't particularly enjoy.. although it was nice to have dry feet for a change. I think I'll stick to the fast and light approach with my fell shoes. I can't deny that it was amazing to sit on top and brew up coffee and watch everything wake up and change around me and it was an unreal morning to take it all in at a slower pace..
Drone shot of the A82, River Coupall and lower slopes of the Buachaille? This is actually taken from a very steep rocky edge on Beinn a'Chrulaiste, thought it had a kinda drone photography look.
Taken from the same cliff edge as mentioned in the last shot? I suspect so.. a different take on Lagangarbh Cottage.
The shot below is probably my favourite. I am even slightly surprised by that.. but yeah, my favourite one. This mountain just intrigued me from first sight however long ago, one of my first days solo scrambling was here on the Curved Ridge. I've returned to the Curved Ridge twice more since and both times in my running gear, once at sunset (top mountain sunset experienced to date) and once in gnarly conditions after having already ran the 3 sisters route immediately beforehand. Unforgettable days and the mountain has a whole lot more to offer. Summer scrunbling, I can't wait!
My first ever visit to the Kings house hotel to see the deer of Glencoe up close and even fed them a carrot with a family who must not have been put off by my sweatiness (not sure if that's a proper word) or my short shorts and mud caked legs. This weekend I also cruised in my dads car.. so comfortable, air con, cruise control by my standards pure luxury.
