More mountainous weirdness.

Ok, so yesterday I was away out on another climb. Just in case you were wondering why I missed all the EOTA madness! Anyway, this took place in the apparently famous Glen Etive, home to one of the country's few sea lochs. This, of course, means that any mountains you climb here will begin at sea level and so you find yourself climbing their full height if you start in the glen.
Bit of a mixture as far as weather goes, as you can see. And there was no shortage of scrambling to be had either so it was a very demanding one too.

A quick view further down the glen.


This is the first mountain we'll be climbing. Unlike most I've done, this one starts at sea level so I'll be climbing the full 3000 feet for once.


I took this one while larking around by a river.


After slogging across what could only be the muddiest path ever, we've got a river to cross. The nearest bridge was miles away so we just hopped over those boulders there.


And now for the first ascent.


Further up.


Just a little bit further.


Almost...


There we go. First top. Total time: 3 hours 5 minutes. Yikes!


Let's take a quick look around and see what we can see.


Various rock formations.



Now to get over this ridge.


A massive lump of quartz forming a convenient barrier between the drop and the path.


More scenery.

Amazing pics!

Is it always cloudy there, Xan? Not that it matters, it adds to the overall atmosphere of the images taken. Great stuff, as always.

Yep, it's always cloudy here Lyla. Except for the warmest part of summer, which lasts about a week here. With autumn around the corner it's only going to get darker.

Simply breathtaking and absolutely beautiful scenery! I can certainly understand why you enjoy doing this. Also, it must be very good exercise. Thanks for sharing with us, Xander.

Ah man. I'd love to hike there. Those views are breathtaking, way better than in Sarek or anything I've been hiking in.

Silver_Surfer1 wrote:

Simply breathtaking and absolutely beautiful scenery! I can certainly understand why you enjoy doing this. Also, it must be very good exercise. Thanks for sharing with us, Xander.

And it is too, you know? Before I started going back to the gym last august I had done no exercise for 2 years, just this maybe once or twice a month. I go back and on the first day put myself through my old fitness test, running 1.5 miles in under 11:30. Last time I checked I could do it in 10:30-40 but I managed to nail it in 9:23 this time.

And if anything, it's good for getting some fresh air and in a remote place like yesterday, good clean water without all the crap they add to it. It's good fun indeed.

Solar, I think I've met more foreigners out in these places, particularly on my camps, than people from here. It's quite funny actually. I've met quite a few Germans and Canadians anyway. They're always good to talk to if you're sharing a bothy with them.

If I ever come down to Scotland, Yer gonna show me how to have a good time Xander. =P

Great pics man.

Well if anything, it'll help cure your sleep problems.

I will say what I said before...I'm reminded of Rohan from the Lord of the Rings movies. And this is good. Great pictures!