![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBOIoVGPIGqjjSQ6mXD8n74MNX2fpaNsIJqUfoBWPK2eSj5IWP33EB0iQ9S-wg0ipG9D9xfjGBlPQ0357MQ3YLeNDf2doYCbjLDonc79Zv4uqJjLKNXXeI4OXj8LjXoSbNA6caIIZAaVLUQJ6w5gg11ibVvmbYbhRdxcJf_HQ57cNCMf1KN-cfHnQxyYe/w640-h426/Lurchers%20Crag-6-2.JPG) |
Walker descending towards the mist in Glenmore
|
There has been much fog this week. In fact there has been
much fog this autumn. Even more than usual. Not for the first time I drove cautiously
to Aviemore in the dense grey blanket and then on up the ski road to Coire Cas,
only coming out of the fog as the I climbed above the forest. Fog is wonderful when you are above it.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tlHGQNJMYlQFtvB4DX91gbwLz7pOlfEb1Xs40Rz1VKmDd6zZ_eiSkqAQ05uuvzEBjpxXo5Tf35HmzlxM5RSUAc9gUgsVqvSYKlM2_6imduyJh6rVz7VW9nHVmWsiLFFQau1oG17PGTwnrtHQ3Yiz55J4WWIEfSh0DVnP9mXVuYSQYaeArC-9CmKAma7f/w640-h412/Lurchers%20Crag-16.JPG) |
Loch Morlich almost appears
|
The path below the Northern Corries was icy with refrozen show
trampled hard by many feet. Only small patches of snow down here. Just once
there was a glimpse of Loch Morlich as the fog below me rolled back a little. Ahead
the sun was almost rising above Cairn Lochan, its light turning the cloud along
the rim of the cliffs a brilliant white. It was midday.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfnUy-6VDyMPANV08ZAq-6elGGOSijpxoLYmuaFdjcZIPfh5DQOO2oezsbiEImplLEbg-ZstmtAI6LQCz8WlqZaVrwZw-4H7eYoTw4tj5yjlcnNd6SIPYo3mhFPmEi3FfLUWhUyEr3w4zPXaja1JnvQMpgMpvHoBdiyFEjHjXcKbZhWJpPtD190J_7k5y/w640-h426/Lurchers%20Crag-2-2.JPG) |
The sun almost makes it above Cairn Lochan
|
Clouds rolled along the edges of the Cairngorm Plateau, occasionally
tumbling over then dissolving in the corries. Where the sky was clear it was a
brilliant blue.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCQkpwke-2z8qYDR0wt15-TFqDTOiqgWhy6FTlkDl4C7s1vr19d7ge9MEi3p2HEy58jmdj9qEDRbB1UMSKosWqWKqTy8EtyAjgy2YJ_rAsoIa3x_PXq0IosedmxfjgMFyJqmoK09hKCC8h1u4CNOipWwMDpItQoFoGFeMUXVuYa_HGAschl3cIr77axnS/w640-h426/Lurchers%20Crag-3-2.JPG) |
No sign of mist on Cairn Gorm
|
Across the rolling mass of fog covering Glenmore the summit of
Meall a’ Bhuachaille occasionally appeared.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDte2GplW4AsFAOBKbPHgQgdTaQT6f1HU9b95Og1G3gUOGHMsDPUgfywjMCZW5atZiHrymT6KS9jQbsvnLHkKVfNMFbEY4I3GVKhwHpx3-GJZ7l5xWlCZGFQ884uFOYmyaZJQxQFt2vbqv5kz5D_9go2vRAqpkv2ODn7s3k2NKLxsCzEVGGrmSytgqqCtE/w640-h426/Lurchers%20Crag-4-2.JPG) |
Meall a' Bhuachaille pops out of the mist
|
Once the climb up the long ridge leading to Miadan Creag an
Leth-choin began there was complete snow cover, deep and soft in a few places
but mostly shallow and crisp enough not to impede walking. Ahead mist brightly
lit by the sun rolled along the crest of the hills. A few walkers passed me
descending., Ahead a man and a dog were disappearing into the cloud.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsrEQ8CpWcVxRGefczHIJ07JPMpf78bhp4r1L7x4ntupnAF_QBCZY9FlXjCLVFgzeXqj-Kg6bZgBFaxUVFDAAbgtVjDgdIzH-puLx74QyowPl9NFIUiM0xBy4zcojN5PtXaDNK0Nq5juVmMiyVYqKWYIB_awVv4DNmPbBGKE7LLYUcu9u_Ax3SObLd2gd/w640-h426/Lurchers%20Crag-8-2.JPG) |
Almost sunshine, not quite a white-out
|
The gentle little plateau of Miadan Creag an Leth-choin was
in the cloud when I arrived, the world mysterious and closed-in, visibility
limited. I left the path and tramped across the crunchy snow to the little
cairn at the high point. I suppose it is a summit though it doesn’t feel like it,
just a slight rise on a flat plateau.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCk9XHz2R1lv6uio_PBnSgIN9Z3eMKZzLzNMTBU55fhId-JQpYtBuJR3v9YvS_ZJWKyY-xQfRDHk5hs5Z3A4uav6vXhwax8w6B50OLIXMJ0O_YjEx-wUHdnYRNyUfK1BWS7KRqEeu_4ddOwD9sM1ZCR-z05a81gHlBhvzBtpPPINUvQb00AUdfP7mmw4f/w640-h426/Lurchers%20Crag-10-2.JPG) |
Creag an Leth-choin
|
I was heading for Creag an Leth-choin, which is 30 metres
lower but feels like a real mountain with its narrow rocky summit ridge. On the
descent to the broad col between the two tops at the head of Lurcher’s Gully I
came out of the mist. Creag an Leth-choin was still shrouded but slowly and
hazily appeared as I threaded a way up through the rocks. There were cornices
on the steep slopes above the Lairig Ghru pass.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptT9AKAznlq5KAcA5u5I6YOljixLYNiLe9MqccO7F-nUitILw3P4uVlPQJgYf7Y4hGynYI1E3t_XDhpt5XMMU0hpq1WaSRczIsr4fgVFH6rN6-8Su8U-GSZhd7uVbkErShlPVvRC-AnaSSVhZyCfVQJZ_rZt5nC6NXFfxopr84kp4x7IzE6e2muMBLAkh/w640-h426/Lurchers%20Crag-11-2.JPG) |
The summit of Creag an Leth-choin
|
The summit was just above the clouds and for a short time I
was in sunshine. Mountain hare tracks dotted the snow. There was a cold breeze.
Hood up and icicles in my beard I was soon heading down into Lurcher’s Gully.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1zOYER_wuG07N481SDvakUcrX7iJoqKp8LuE_ql1P_7-6S4RAfOen6wuktN9rKgWJAfzmJgz6wlWaJR5nYxRgt1lWeYxw5RbBowurd0Zs2VsXuULbZNm_4SHl9xcqJplpm1O76TQ-6FX_R0hJmrEG_Yuzm8P7CPd6lUJTQd8GtSXl2R5Mlq65wgv4vY5/w640-h426/Lurchers%20Crag-14-2.JPG) |
Skiers on the side of Lurcher's Gully
|
The snow in the gully was deep and soft and I envied the two
skiers I watched traversing the far side. Skies or snowshoes would have been useful
here. Forty years ago Creag an Leth-choin was the first hill I ever went up on
skis.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdieJVDu3BMAGPtaUPbydSXRSX2dWLwKkxGV7xWiYcQU0DdsztJwiqxONGMfeki0vyso0Lm2yV4JTq99IhKaAYOGhMxNkFHZt1xfxi-S9iJFbjwR8oIOJkfQyhN_ebG1QSKATkB9MUCcUPor0Dg6kdyuRtK9ZBuvn9XcUXvMXsQ5pGfvL3HjWRQrNBzmZW/w640-h426/Lurchers%20Crag-15-2.JPG) |
After sunset
|
Most of this day I’d have been carrying skis though and I
was soon on the icy path back to Coire Cas. Ahead the sky was turning pink. The
sun had set.
Here's a few more photos from an atmospheric winter day.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdxJ5C8cudJeGQ8Hd8Ma15kD3TuLA1nRreMX3vTg4MGMQfJFvt4lwpVD8Y7BGpesmp9kn8Dd4DDzXodEqOpvAlWSyEl50a3hLqhEfARwwXhiJHkWvmD3wTya5w7w8JLY1VZVoJt9V-8GpyhoCE54dtz2oVlk_K8wX1Aj0RlcTmxIb6cXoa400Vm8gprCc/w640-h426/Lurchers%20Crag-5-2.JPG) |
Sun-catching mist
|
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73HS7kTT7HmDTn3LjdV0vwMcUaU0QVIXXBVI_3G3Z-6gMsJbO6LSLdd2iJD5gPmfvfo4ZGsa0jYBmLToJ6-8DLd3ap_H_6WIg-4NweTeEs1gmRa4bp9_PvmyxLcKQmJiMnu6snx6XO7YhcivCe6LR6p2DBA_XXJ69t24a3gHdeoZVgl6kjQBfXUiEiIW2/w640-h426/Lurchers%20Crag-7-2.JPG) |
The inversion stretching north from Glenmore
|
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCi942PYULchu1FiGrPGWNtgO3gkEWoW2YnlcPnwhn6NJTlwloTNeq9UNf3yBjB29wcVAvN0frW60_Z0i_KPHeS3ysSAwlzl4WPH1TY-1hpNNsUFhiWTFEQS-8sL3t_0pRbXs6GVFOmyqd9OBEgwKrUROSsDSDGdazf2e4CqcC959_pqRNr1UDkytWbDhY/w640-h426/Lurchers%20Crag-9-2.JPG) |
Almost out of the mist. Creag an Leth-choin on the left, a distant Meall a'Bhuachaille on the right
|
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4msv8u0-eZ7zDZxHdMxubZtW4KSkYcPBeY4bESgEzJ5PxxM1C8EzUB65XsBaibK2nJmuUz4LmZiuzhjLEFT5mfrzZrFjOZ7h6ZM9Trb6Jtg0Silk0XrubJLl_oszq5p0Ax6_JLa6qAd8QY-e14bPSul6MXfN7gXuvki5shYs0EQoHd191NuPzTDk6LEZV/w640-h426/Lurchers%20Crag-12-2.JPG) |
Cloud-capped Sgor Gaoith and Sgoran Dubh Mor
|
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjnhZH3L7pLax6xuYvmX9WYCPLxMDeE5XYt-vr0PVk9RRvTGnoQXgHjGnUQLLyCJl2Fwtc7y8IsM6lpcQa-KkhVO1IFUPtBjac2FdmcdmYvjZoUgqpHa53gOezkorT2wbTmlNnKGZDz26z4FQgtk45MItVgARwVrYf5Rd8MCfbOpOFzWYdQC65wZnkwox/w640-h426/Lurchers%20Crag-13-2.JPG) |
A glimpse into the Lairig Ghru
|
No comments:
Post a Comment