Another weekend arrived where the original intention was for a wild camp over the Saturday night. However the weather wasn’t looking compliant for such plans. Seeing however that the first part of Sunday was potentially going to be fair, a decision was made to head off to Beinn Alligin (Torridon) again. On my previous visit earlier in the year, cloud was down around the summits preventing me from getting any views at all. The hope was that this trip would render better rewards.
After a 4.30am alarm and a longer than planned drive to the car park, I started the ascent in the dark by head torch. Fully prepared for any weather, I must admit it was quite disappointing when the rain started to come down heavily as I made my way up the steep path. Stopping to get all the waterproofs on I continued upwards, just grabbing a few phone photos initially, as the light was too low to bother with the effort associated with tripod shots with the main camera.
The original plan was to be at the summit for sunrise, but with delays on the journey due to a number of deer near the road that slowed the trip down, and the ascent taking longer than I had calculated, the sun was rising as I was part way up the corrie. I decided to stop to grab a photo as the sun appeared through the clouds towards the mountainous horizon.
Totally exhausted, I eventually made it to the first munro summit (Tom Na Gruagaich - 922) having to cross fairly deep snow to get there. I arrived just in time to catch the last few moments of the low rising sun lighting up the sides of Sgurr Mhor (986m). It was a breathtaking moment. The view was incredible. The scale of the view is not fully captured by the photo below, looking across the sheer drop from where I was standing to the sides of the mountains ahead.
The moment didn’t last very long before the cloud blew in and descended upon the summit again, bringing back memories of my last visit. I managed to grab a few photos of the atmospheric conditions including a rainbow down below, before being completely engulfed in cloud.
Now and again the sun pierced through the cloud/mist enabling a few photos of the summit such as those below:
The cloud was down over the mountain for about 1.5 hours. I had come fully prepared to ‘sit it out’ in such circumstances, optimistic that the weather forecast for a bright wintry day from later in the morning were accurate.
Sure enough there came a point where the cloud started to lift and I was able to experience the amazing views that I was hoping to see. Below are a sequence of photos panning from left to right at the summit. The views were stunning. The cloud and mist rolling around the mountains just enhanced the experience.
The lighting was also changing throughout the time as the low winter sun continued to move across the sky, the views were awe inspiring.
There was plenty of time to capture some panoramic photos such as below, that I think give a better impression of the overall perspective from where I was standing.
There was a moment as I was standing all alone on the summit that I could get a ‘selfie’ photo that truly conveys the scale of scenario around me … it will take a while to forget this experience!
It was an amazing time - but all good things have to come to an end, and eventually it was time to make my way down the steep descent back to the car. Arriving totally exhausted again, compliments of the heavy rucksack with all the gear, I made my way home stopping on the way to capture a record of the beautiful colours of the setting sun.
It had been a memorable visit. Total exhaustion, but worth every ounce of effort.