Grazing Fields I
The Scottish Highlands are some of the most beautiful
countryside I have ever seen. Unbeknown to me, much of its
lushness comes from the bog like quality of the soil. Ten
minutes in to my hike up Ben Nevis my shoes were totally soaked.
June 24, 2005
Grazing Fields II
I got lucky with some gorgeous weather on my first day. But
again I was unprepared, and came home with a sunburn from the
one place on earth that might be cloudier than Rochester.
June 24, 2005
Coblestone Trail
The trails up Ben Nevis were an interesting combination of dirt, cobblestone and raging river.
As you get further up the trail becomes all loose stone.
June 24, 2005
Shadow of Ben Nevis
Next time I’m wearing rubber boots.
June 24, 2005
Black Granite
This is one wall of the valley where I spent the night. Despite
the inhospitable facade, I found a relatively dry patch of grass
and moss to pitch a tent.
June 24, 2005
Waterfall I
This mountain seemed to pours water from every crack and opening
in the rock. These rivulets combine to form pools and
waterfalls like this one. I spent several hours photographing
the many waterfalls that littered the landscape.
June 24, 2005
Highland Moss
June 24, 2005
Mountain Cabin
This was my view out of the valley. This cabin was built by a
Scottish mountaineering club and was available for rent. I was
not so lucky as to have a key.
June 24, 2005
Waterfall II
June 24, 2005
Morning Fog
When I woke up around four o’clock in the morning, the fog
was so thick I couldn’t see beyond the door to my tent. This
photo was taken as the fog began to break around nine. The fog
continued to roll in and out the entire time I was climbing up a
scree filled gully to the mountain summit.
June 25, 2005
Summit Ruins
I reached the summit after several hours of sketchy hiking and
scrambling up water soak rock in what amounted to climb up the
North face of the mountain. While I sat their munching grapes
and wondering if I was going to make it down in time to catch my
bus, a team of guys came running up the trail. At the summit
they exploded in boisterous round of high fives and
congratulations. The leader made it up the entire mountain in 1
hour and 9 minutes. Apparently a new record? It was then that
I realized I was going to miss my bus.
June 25, 2005