 |
| Temperature Inversion! |
We headed out to do the classic circuit of An Teallach. Issi and John are an experienced couple with lots of Munros under their belt. They were keen on seeing what this An Teallach was all about. I'd been enthusing about it to them for a while.
We walked up through light cloud on our way to the first of An Teallach's many summits, Sail Liath. At the 900m contour we could see and feel the sun breaking through the thin cloud cover. Next minute we were into clear blue skies and above a sea of cloud! A temperature inversion!
 |
| Stunning views back to Sail Liath |
Temperature Inversions in the mountains are one of the greatest, most memorable weather phenomina you will ever experience. We were gob smacked.
 |
| Ridge walking above the clouds! |
 |
| Brilliant! |
We sauntered along the fine ridgeline of the best mountain on Earth. We had to keep stopping to take in the astonishing views. Only the highest summits of the Fisherfield Forest, Fannaichs, the Beinn Dearg Munros and, of course, the tops of An Teallach were visible.
 |
| A sea of cloud |
 |
| An Teallach's ridge line |
 |
| Fabulous |
 |
| Smiles all round |
 |
| Lord Barekeley's Seat |
 |
| Lord Barkeley's Seat piercing the clouds |
 |
| Sgurr Fiona |
All too soon we were over the ridge and onto the first of two Munro summits that make up An Teallach. We hadn't seen anyone up to this point.
 |
| Bidein a Ghlas Thuill |
 |
| An Teallach Goats |
We had come across many families of feral goats today. I usually spot one or two of the 'An Teallach Goats' when up here. We counted at least 8 separate groups of them on this occasion. All of them were on the ridges. Were they up here enjoying the sunshine as much as us?
 |
| The temperature inversion lingered all day |
 |
| More of An Teallach's many tops |
 |
| The classic view of An Teallach |
 |
| Second Munro |
 |
| Bidein a Ghals Thuill |
 |
| Time to saunter down |
What a fantastic day. We reluctantly and slowly made our way down off An Teallach's second Munro, Bidein a Ghals Thuill. The temperature inversion stuck around throughout the entire day. Some times they burn off, especially in the summer months. Not this one. We descended back into the cloud and back into that 'other world'. Up above us it was a truly different heavenly scene.
 |
| Toll an Lochain in cloud |
THURSDAY 1 JULY
CAIRNGORM WILDLIFE
 |
| Loch A'an under hot sun |
The gorgeous weather continues! I had an easy wander back in my local hills in search of Dotterel which I have not seen this season. I was quickly off any paths and out exploring my usual locations for wildlife with fab views.
 |
| Mountain Hare |
Within 10 minutes of leaving a main path and only 30 minutes from leaving the 'Cairngorm construction site' (currently the highest building site in the UK as they plough millions of pounds into fixing the train) I came across a lovely wee Mountain Hare enjoying the peace & quiet of the mountain side.
 |
| Looking down on the beautiful Loch A'am beaches |
Later on I wondered over the beautiful grasses, mosses and crowberry vegetation, high up on the Cairngorm plateau and away from the noise. It was glorious warm skies and another day of just T-shirt conditions. I spotted a wonderful pair of Ptarmigan.
 |
| Hen Ptarmigan looking beautiful and elegant in her Summer colours |
 |
| The Male not far away |
It was lovely lying on the soft, warm grasses photographing this pair of Ptarmigan. The Hen's colours are by far the most beautiful in Spring and Summer plumage. In sunshine they are stunning.
I had a good walk across the plateau but once again I had no luck with Dotterel. The views made up for lack of wildlife though.
 |
| Trailing Azaelia |
 |
| Coire an t-sneachda & Cairngorm plateau |
 |
| Dwarf Cornel |
Another glorious end to the day.
 |
| Loch A'an basin |
 |
| Coire an Lochain |
 |
| Gorse below the Northern Corries |
FRIDAY 2 JULY
MONADHLIATH MOUNTAIN HARES
 |
| Mountain Hare in high summer |
Another beautiful morning but skies clouding over in the afternoon. The end of a fine spell of weather. I was out with friends showing them our wonderful Mountain hares today. We were not disappointed.
 |
| Summer pelage |
The ground and vegetation very dry again in this hot spell of weather.
 |
| Clouds forming over tge Cairngorms |
 |
| Heath Spotted Orchid |
 |
| Green |
 |
| Sleepy, lazy summer days |
 |
| Surrounded by a fine crop of food |
SATURDAY 3 JULY
NAVIGATION IN THE MONADHLIATH
 |
| Great terrain for Navigation |
The Monadhliath is the UK's largest tract of high ground. This massive area contains just 3 Munros though and they only occur a tiny area of the Monadhliath. Height isn't everything, with many hills between 500m-800m. They are very featureless these mountains are brilliant places to hone your navigation.
 |
| Pathless hills |
 |
| No paths down here either |
These hills are also pathless in many parts. Great for map and compass skills. Despite a forecast of showers we finished the day dry.
 |
| Flora outstanding |
No comments:
Post a Comment