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| A fine sunrise from the summit of Ben Nevis |
There is something quite special about witnessing a Summer Solstice sunrise from the top of a mountain. I guess summits of mountains are the best places to see this longest day of the year begin. I have had some cracking places to experience this over the years (none of them Stonehenge). Probably my favourite being a bivvy out on the summit of A' Mhaighdean many moons ago, or should that be many suns ago? For 2021 I was working with a group of keen folk who wanted to see in the Solstice on top of Ben Nevis, an excellent spot on the planet to experience it.
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| Moonlit night over Glen Nevis |
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| No torch necessary |
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| Moon light above our group |
I met up with the other guides, Allen and Josiah on Sunday evening. We were working with a big group for Wayymark Outdoors. Our 22 strong team set out on a beautiful clear skies evening at 11pm. Plenty of time to make a steady ascent and to watch the sun come up on the top of the UK's highest mountain. The weather forecast looked great, a clear summit right through the evening and into the early hours. No torches required as we had a beautiful moon to guide us in the dark, well actually it doesn't really get dark, twilight really.
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| The small patch of snow at the start of the plateau, frozen |
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| Pre dawn on the summit |
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| Belt of Venus on the plateau |
It was a chilly evening, forecast of minus 1 C was probably right. The little remaining snow at the start of the plateau was frozen up but easy to walk on. We reached the top at 4am and it was on with many layers of clothing. The whisky was unplugged and the stove on for the hot chocolates.
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| First sight of the sun rise above Aonach Mor |
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| A wonderful bit of whispy cloud to add some magic |
It was a marvellous morning as the crowds gathered to see in the Summer Solstice. Stunning.
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| First light on Tower Ridge |
We headed back down once the golden hour had elapsed and were soon warmed up again. A grand time to go up Ben Nevis, if nothing else but to beat the crowds! A great team effort and we managed to stay as one unit for most of the ascent and decent with plenty of banter.
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| Gardyloo |
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| Down for breakfast |
On Tuesday it was another glorious sunny day back home in the Cairngorms. I had a more normal start time for a walk in the hills. I love cycling from the house to the hill, very satisfying and beautiful early morning light.
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| Trailing Azaelia wonderful this Summer |
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| Peaceful, pathless walking |
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| Ciste Mhearad |
My aim of today was a first sighting of Dotterel this year. Unfortunately none seen, despite my years of knowledge where their usual grounds are likely to be. Quite worrying, are numbers getting even lower?
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| Shelterstone |
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| Hells Lum |
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| Loch A'an |
I meandered under a warm sun and windless plateau. Eventually making my way to the finest viewpoint in the Cairngorms. The ground underfoot wonderful in the sot conditions.
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| Snow Bridge over the Feith Buidhe |
I went over to the Feithe Buidhe area, checking out the lingering snow and, of course, for that finest view in The Cairngorms.
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| Loch A'an beach |
The snow tunnels haven't yet formed down at the slabs, another couple of weeks probably. There's a cracking snowbridge over the Feithe Buidhe waterfall though. I had a scramble down for a closer look. With very little rain recently the burn is quite low and no huge volume of water flowing.
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| Snow Bridge |
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| Hells Lum Crag |
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| Feithe Buidhe, low water |
Water, snow and sunshine with terrific views.
I made my way back across the plateau in gorgeous late afternoon light. Not even any Ptarmigan seen today. A Snow Bunting was overly to see and a beautiful Mountain Hare. I was kicking myself for leaving my camera in a corner whilst scrambling for a landscape shot when this lovely hare was just looking at me from 6 ft away! Never leave go of your camera!
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| Lairig Ghru |
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| Coire an Lochain |
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| Dwarf Cornel |
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