View allAll Photos Tagged Pathless
There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society where none intrudes,
By the deep Sea, and music in its roar:
I love not Man the less, but Nature more
―George Gordon Byron
Isle Royale, Michigan, USA
There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more.
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel
What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal.
In September 2017, we spent 11 days of hiking and packrafting in the unspoiled wilderness of southern Greenland between the magnificent Tasermiut fjord and the remote settlement of Aappilattoq, searching for beautiful landscapes, moods of solitude, and enjoying a true deep north adventure.
Certainly, we were far from being the first to cross these lands, however we hadn't met anyone during our 10-days hike across the pathless terrain; we just saw a few footsteps of previous adventurers in the sand.
No paths, no huts, no GSM signal, no means of civilization; this is a harsh northern landscape that requires enough stamina, experience, mental strength and patience to be crossed over. For those who don't retreat, however, the experience is very rewarding: a unique mix of isolation, exploration and adventure.
-----
During the 10th day in the area, we continued exploring the Aappilattoq settlement, climbing to a hill above it for stunning views all around.
There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep Sea, and music in its roar:
I love not Man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel
What I can ne’er express, yet cannot all conceal.
Lord Byron
After a rough pathless descent from Great Hill I could head for the single tree that marks the site of a former small farm on the moors.
Vlog of hike:
I was headed west to the shores of Loch Lomond to meet a couple of locals and walk over a couple of fine Luss hills. A late start was planned as the forecast had a weak front moving through in the morning with the promise of sunshine and views later in the day!
Arriving in Tarbet I left my car and met with G and F and we managed a lift round to Glen Douglas where we were dropped. All we had to do now was find our way back to Tarbet. The plan was a hike over Beinn Bhreac then down and up over Ben Reoch, with the promise of fantastic views over the hills and mountains that surround the bonnie banks
However as we got out of the car at Glen Douglas the hills were smothered in cloud and long ranging views seemed a long way off!!
This hike starts uphill immediately on pathless grassy ground, and there aint no time to warm up! The good thing though is that you gain height quickly and we were soon reaching the ridge line (and cloud) however before entering the cloud we got some nice atmospheric shots back down towards the rest of the Luss Hills.
Entering the cloud also saw the ground turn from green to white and we headed on following compass bearings into the whiteness… Before long our readings informed us we were close to the summit. A quick look at the map and we realised the summit was just off the ATV track which we had now picked up. About 20 meters to the east and we were stood on the top of Beinn Bhreac. Disappointingly, the weather front had decided not to budge but every now and again the clouds threatened to break, however after waiting 15 minutes nothing happened so the map and compass came out again and we were set for Ben Reoch.
As sods law usually dictates, about ten minutes after leaving the summit, the cloud cleared in a spell of about 1 minute. From walking through a fogged up, claggy zero vis landscape, we were now treated far flung vistas and blue patches rapidly replaced the scudding clouds. This put a spring in our step and we decided to head to the eastern slopes of Ben Reoch to capture the fine views. And indeed they were fine, we stopped on a minor top at 632m and had some lunch and took some photos. A wee rest and energy levels replenished, we then strode onto the top of Ben Reoch. The views here were almost better than on the minor top with the Arrochar Alps loosing their cloud caps one by one. The Cobbler as always looked mighty fine. All that was left was the steep descent to Tarbet. This turned out to be the hardest part of the day. The ground was steep and when it levelled off a little lower down the under foot conditions were rather uneven! lots of bogs and marshes to get through, but we did and soon were back in Tarbet in time for some coffee and bacon buns
There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep Sea, and music in its roar:
I love not Man the less, but Nature more
all rights reserved
"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep Sea, and music in its roar, I love not Man the less, but Nature more." - -- Lord George Gordon Byron
A 3 hour drive from Edinburgh. An 8 hour very steep, rocky and pathless walk in 25+ degrees. Hanging out with your dog at the top enjoying a slight breeze and magnificent views, priceless.
"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more"
— George Gordon Byron
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* Pentax K20D DSLR and Pentax 18-55mm Lens
My work is for sale via Getty Images and at Redbubble and 500px
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©2012- Tom Raven - Toute reproduction, même partielle INTERDITE
There is pleasure in the pathless woods
There is rapture on the lonely shore
There is society, where none intrudes
By the deep see, and music in its roar
I love not man the less, but Nature more
..... Lord Byron
Whatever counts is the present moment!
(I went home late yesterday and after a big meal for lunch it started raining heavily. This is the result of my dark mood at that moment when I was postprocessing the shots I took yesterday. I hope you enjoy it.)
The West Highland Way (Scottish Gaelic: Slighe na Gàidhealtachd an Iar) is a linear long distance footpath in Scotland, with the official status of Long Distance Route. It is 154.5 km long, running from Milngavie north of Glasgow to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, with an element of hill walking in the route. It is managed by the West Highland Way Management Group (WHWMG) consisting of West Dunbartonshire Council, Stirling Council, Argyll & Bute Council, Highland Council and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. About 80,000 people use the path every year, of whom over 15,000 walk the entire route.
The trail was approved for development in 1974 and was completed and opened on 6 October 1980 by Lord Mansfield so becoming the first officially designated long distance footpath in Scotland. In June 2010, the West Highland Way was co-designated as part of the International Appalachian Trail.
The path uses many ancient roads, including drovers' roads, military roads and old coaching roads, and is traditionally walked from south to north. As well as increasing the sense of adventure, taking the route in this direction keeps the sun from one's eyes.
The route is commonly walked in seven to eight days, although many fitter and more experienced walkers do it in five or six. The route can be covered in considerably less time than this, but a less hurried progress is the choice of the majority of walkers, allowing for appreciation of the countryside along the Way. Enjoyment of the natural surroundings of the walk is the primary motivating factor for many people following the route.
(Wikipedia)
-----
In April, I solo-hiked on and around the northern part of the famous West Highland Way, starting in Ardlui and finishing in Fort William five days later after a set of detours from the main trail.
The itinerary was as follows: Ardlui -> pass below Ben Lui -> Inveroran -> Kingshouse -> Luibelt ruin -> Fort William.
During the third day, I enjoyed a beautiful though a little bit cold morning in Inveroran, crossed Rannoch Moor, climbed Meall a' Bhùiridh via its pathless southern slopes, and finished my journey in a beautiful river setting in Kingshouse.
In September 2017, we spent 11 days of hiking and packrafting in the unspoiled wilderness of southern Greenland between the magnificent Tasermiut fjord and the remote settlement of Aappilattoq, searching for beautiful landscapes, moods of solitude, and enjoying a true deep north adventure.
Certainly, we were far from being the first to cross these lands, however we hadn't met anyone during our 10-days hike across the pathless terrain; we just saw a few footsteps of previous adventurers in the sand.
No paths, no huts, no GSM signal, no means of civilization; this is a harsh northern landscape that requires enough stamina, experience, mental strength and patience to be crossed over. For those who don't retreat, however, the experience is very rewarding: a unique mix of isolation, exploration and adventure.
-----
During the second day in the area, we explored the central part of Tasermiut fjord (northern shore) with stunning views of Ketil, Ulamertorsuaq and Nalumasortoq peaks, and enjoyed Aurora Borealis performance during the evening.
“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more”
- George Gordon Byron
The West Highland Way (Scottish Gaelic: Slighe na Gàidhealtachd an Iar) is a linear long distance footpath in Scotland, with the official status of Long Distance Route. It is 154.5 km long, running from Milngavie north of Glasgow to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, with an element of hill walking in the route. It is managed by the West Highland Way Management Group (WHWMG) consisting of West Dunbartonshire Council, Stirling Council, Argyll & Bute Council, Highland Council and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. About 80,000 people use the path every year, of whom over 15,000 walk the entire route.
The trail was approved for development in 1974 and was completed and opened on 6 October 1980 by Lord Mansfield so becoming the first officially designated long distance footpath in Scotland. In June 2010, the West Highland Way was co-designated as part of the International Appalachian Trail.
The path uses many ancient roads, including drovers' roads, military roads and old coaching roads, and is traditionally walked from south to north. As well as increasing the sense of adventure, taking the route in this direction keeps the sun from one's eyes.
The route is commonly walked in seven to eight days, although many fitter and more experienced walkers do it in five or six. The route can be covered in considerably less time than this, but a less hurried progress is the choice of the majority of walkers, allowing for appreciation of the countryside along the Way. Enjoyment of the natural surroundings of the walk is the primary motivating factor for many people following the route.
(Wikipedia)
-----
In April, I solo-hiked on and around the northern part of the famous West Highland Way, starting in Ardlui and finishing in Fort William five days later after a set of detours from the main trail.
The itinerary was as follows: Ardlui -> pass below Ben Lui -> Inveroran -> Kingshouse -> Luibelt ruin -> Fort William.
During the fifth (and last) day, I hiked on pathless grassland from the Luibelt ruin through the valley below Ben Nevis to Fort William.
“-The timekiller?!
-Who is the killer?
-The time?
-Or the killer?
The answer is like a king in a pathless position on the chessboard. The answer is an eternel looser. It's fate is sealed up in the testament of Hades. The killer is mortal and he can't testify forever, but the time is biased, one-sided, partial, because it is timeless and a constant winner.
So, the circle is closed.
The game is over-checkmate!”
Climbing up the pathless slopes of Sgurr na Coinnich on the Isle of Skye, around the 700m contour line, this bird suddenly appeared just a few metres in front of me. I was so surprised to realise it was a ptarmigan that it took a few seconds to remember I had my camera around my neck. I dropped to the ground, expecting the bird to take off, but he remained in place, only moving away when he saw I was interested. This is the best shot I could get using my 24-105mm lens (considerably cropped).
The legendary 85km South Coast Track negotiates the lonesome coastline of Southwest National Park, Tasmania, with nothing between the coast and Antarctica but thundering ocean waves.
The trek crosses two mountain ranges to avoid sections of impassable coastline and long sections of open plains behind the coastline; it only follows the coast where there are (splendid) beaches.
Local experienced bushwalkers rate South Coast Track as "moderate", leaving some space on their grading scale for pathless rambling across wild Tasmania; for an average hiker, though, this trek may well belong to the more difficult ones, especially in adverse weather.
-----
After three years, I was fortunate enough to return to Tasmania, literally across the globe and 10 time zones; four flights were needed to get from winter Prague to early summer in Hobart.
Hiking the iconic South Coast Track was stunningly beautiful. That sense of remoteness and unspoiled wilderness... each day was different, and all the seven days spent on tackling the South Coast Track contributed to an unforgettable experience in this very unique landscape located on the other side of the Earth.
The West Highland Way (Scottish Gaelic: Slighe na Gàidhealtachd an Iar) is a linear long distance footpath in Scotland, with the official status of Long Distance Route. It is 154.5 km long, running from Milngavie north of Glasgow to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, with an element of hill walking in the route. It is managed by the West Highland Way Management Group (WHWMG) consisting of West Dunbartonshire Council, Stirling Council, Argyll & Bute Council, Highland Council and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. About 80,000 people use the path every year, of whom over 15,000 walk the entire route.
The trail was approved for development in 1974 and was completed and opened on 6 October 1980 by Lord Mansfield so becoming the first officially designated long distance footpath in Scotland. In June 2010, the West Highland Way was co-designated as part of the International Appalachian Trail.
The path uses many ancient roads, including drovers' roads, military roads and old coaching roads, and is traditionally walked from south to north. As well as increasing the sense of adventure, taking the route in this direction keeps the sun from one's eyes.
The route is commonly walked in seven to eight days, although many fitter and more experienced walkers do it in five or six. The route can be covered in considerably less time than this, but a less hurried progress is the choice of the majority of walkers, allowing for appreciation of the countryside along the Way. Enjoyment of the natural surroundings of the walk is the primary motivating factor for many people following the route.
(Wikipedia)
-----
In April, I solo-hiked on and around the northern part of the famous West Highland Way, starting in Ardlui and finishing in Fort William five days later after a set of detours from the main trail.
The itinerary was as follows: Ardlui -> pass below Ben Lui -> Inveroran -> Kingshouse -> Luibelt ruin -> Fort William.
During the third day, I enjoyed a beautiful though a little bit cold morning in Inveroran, crossed Rannoch Moor, climbed Meall a' Bhùiridh via its pathless southern slopes, and finished my journey in a beautiful river setting in Kingshouse.
There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more.
“There is pleasure in the pathless woods”
~Lord Byron
Oooh, I sometimes wish I could escape to the woods for a week or so..I have been so busy..I hope to catch up soon!
"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more"
My Facebook page (To see behind the scenes, before & after etc.)
Instagram: victoria_soderstrom
I had a dream, which was not all a dream.
The bright sun was extinguish'd, and the stars
Did wander darkling in the eternal space,
Rayless, and pathless, and the icy earth
Swung blind and blackening in the moonless air Lord Byron-Darkness.
-------------------------------------------
This was made to celebrate being active online as a moccist for 15 years.
All in all I've worked on and off on this for over 4 years, with countless sketches and several attempts failing before making this. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.
The West Highland Way (Scottish Gaelic: Slighe na Gàidhealtachd an Iar) is a linear long distance footpath in Scotland, with the official status of Long Distance Route. It is 154.5 km long, running from Milngavie north of Glasgow to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, with an element of hill walking in the route. It is managed by the West Highland Way Management Group (WHWMG) consisting of West Dunbartonshire Council, Stirling Council, Argyll & Bute Council, Highland Council and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. About 80,000 people use the path every year, of whom over 15,000 walk the entire route.
The trail was approved for development in 1974 and was completed and opened on 6 October 1980 by Lord Mansfield so becoming the first officially designated long distance footpath in Scotland. In June 2010, the West Highland Way was co-designated as part of the International Appalachian Trail.
The path uses many ancient roads, including drovers' roads, military roads and old coaching roads, and is traditionally walked from south to north. As well as increasing the sense of adventure, taking the route in this direction keeps the sun from one's eyes.
The route is commonly walked in seven to eight days, although many fitter and more experienced walkers do it in five or six. The route can be covered in considerably less time than this, but a less hurried progress is the choice of the majority of walkers, allowing for appreciation of the countryside along the Way. Enjoyment of the natural surroundings of the walk is the primary motivating factor for many people following the route.
(Wikipedia)
-----
In April, I solo-hiked on and around the northern part of the famous West Highland Way, starting in Ardlui and finishing in Fort William five days later after a set of detours from the main trail.
The itinerary was as follows: Ardlui -> pass below Ben Lui -> Inveroran -> Kingshouse -> Luibelt ruin -> Fort William.
During the fifth (and last) day, I hiked on pathless grassland from the Luibelt ruin through the valley below Ben Nevis to Fort William.
~ 08.11.14 ~
#creative365_michmutters_2014
“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more”
― George Gordon Byron
Hipstamatic
Snapseed
Stackables app
Mount Crawford, South Australia
Vlog of hike:
I was headed west to the shores of Loch Lomond to meet a couple of locals and walk over a couple of fine Luss hills. A late start was planned as the forecast had a weak front moving through in the morning with the promise of sunshine and views later in the day!
Arriving in Tarbet I left my car and met with G and F and we managed a lift round to Glen Douglas where we were dropped. All we had to do now was find our way back to Tarbet. The plan was a hike over Beinn Bhreac then down and up over Ben Reoch, with the promise of fantastic views over the hills and mountains that surround the bonnie banks
However as we got out of the car at Glen Douglas the hills were smothered in cloud and long ranging views seemed a long way off!!
This hike starts uphill immediately on pathless grassy ground, and there aint no time to warm up! The good thing though is that you gain height quickly and we were soon reaching the ridge line (and cloud) however before entering the cloud we got some nice atmospheric shots back down towards the rest of the Luss Hills.
Entering the cloud also saw the ground turn from green to white and we headed on following compass bearings into the whiteness… Before long our readings informed us we were close to the summit. A quick look at the map and we realised the summit was just off the ATV track which we had now picked up. About 20 meters to the east and we were stood on the top of Beinn Bhreac. Disappointingly, the weather front had decided not to budge but every now and again the clouds threatened to break, however after waiting 15 minutes nothing happened so the map and compass came out again and we were set for Ben Reoch.
As sods law usually dictates, about ten minutes after leaving the summit, the cloud cleared in a spell of about 1 minute. From walking through a fogged up, claggy zero vis landscape, we were now treated far flung vistas and blue patches rapidly replaced the scudding clouds. This put a spring in our step and we decided to head to the eastern slopes of Ben Reoch to capture the fine views. And indeed they were fine, we stopped on a minor top at 632m and had some lunch and took some photos. A wee rest and energy levels replenished, we then strode onto the top of Ben Reoch. The views here were almost better than on the minor top with the Arrochar Alps loosing their cloud caps one by one. The Cobbler as always looked mighty fine. All that was left was the steep descent to Tarbet. This turned out to be the hardest part of the day. The ground was steep and when it levelled off a little lower down the under foot conditions were rather uneven! lots of bogs and marshes to get through, but we did and soon were back in Tarbet in time for some coffee and bacon buns
Halloween Advent 2011 - Figure Calendar
"I had a dream, which was not all a dream.
The bright sun was extinguish'd, and the stars
Did wander darkling in the eternal space,
Rayless, and pathless, and the icy earth
Swung blind and blackening in the moonless air;
Morn came, and went and came, and brought no day,
And men forgot their passions in the dread
Of this desolation; and all hearts
Were chill'd into a selfish prayer for light..."
— Lord Byron
______________________________________
* Modified LEGO: Helmet, Horns, Head
* Non-LEGO: Shoulder armor (modified), Cape (modified), Arms
In September 2017, we spent 11 days of hiking and packrafting in the unspoiled wilderness of southern Greenland between the magnificent Tasermiut fjord and the remote settlement of Aappilattoq, searching for beautiful landscapes, moods of solitude, and enjoying a true deep north adventure.
Certainly, we were far from being the first to cross these lands, however we hadn't met anyone during our 10-days hike across the pathless terrain; we just saw a few footsteps of previous adventurers in the sand.
No paths, no huts, no GSM signal, no means of civilization; this is a harsh northern landscape that requires enough stamina, experience, mental strength and patience to be crossed over. For those who don't retreat, however, the experience is very rewarding: a unique mix of isolation, exploration and adventure.
-----
During the second day in the area, we explored the central part of Tasermiut fjord (northern shore) with stunning views of Ketil, Ulamertorsuaq and Nalumasortoq peaks.
“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar: I love not man the less, but Nature more” ~ George Gordon Byron
Good morning Umhlanga Rocks, KwaZulu-Natal with your newly refurbished Whale Bone Pier / Umhlanga Pier a stone's throw away from the glorious The Beverly Hills.
After the photo shoot I met Mr Yoga Balance (Ross) for coffee at nearby Bronze Beach where he and his other half often have Yoga classes in the morning. If you are visiting Umhlanga - The FunShine Coast then hook up for a class. The quote above is relevant to what Ross and I chatted about whilst munching on toasted banana bread (Ross' brainchild not mine - it was tasty!).
Canon South Africa 6D, 17-40 mm L, ISO 100, 90 sec, F16
In September 2017, we spent 11 days of hiking and packrafting in the unspoiled wilderness of southern Greenland between the magnificent Tasermiut fjord and the remote settlement of Aappilattoq, searching for beautiful landscapes, moods of solitude, and enjoying a true deep north adventure.
Certainly, we were far from being the first to cross these lands, however we hadn't met anyone during our 10-days hike across the pathless terrain; we just saw a few footsteps of previous adventurers in the sand.
No paths, no huts, no GSM signal, no means of civilization; this is a harsh northern landscape that requires enough stamina, experience, mental strength and patience to be crossed over. For those who don't retreat, however, the experience is very rewarding: a unique mix of isolation, exploration and adventure.
-----
During the 7th day in the area, we finally left the Quinnguadalen valley and continued hiking to Tasersuaq lake and then through Qingeq Kujalleq valley.
The view down Glen Ceitlein towards Glen Etive on the return from the rounded summit of Meall nan Eun. The terrain got quite steep and pathless after this, I only managed to go on my backside the once though.
East of Am Bodach the ridge continues in a nice zig-zag all the way to the Devil's Staircase. In 2018 I ascended this way, this time I used this nice and partly pathless ridge walk as my descent route.
video of adventure :
Driesh and Mayar, probably two Munros that don’t fill most with excitement or an image of pointy mountain peaks! However they are some of the first hills any Munro bagging enthusiast manage to head up (especially if you live in the east).
Their image may be unfair, ( I certainly think so!) as the beauty in this area is absolutely magnificent. The deep Corries and clefts that cut through the plateau are some of the best we have in Scotland.
My last few trips to Glen Clova and Doll had not involved Driesh and Mayar but have been to climb some of these Corries in the winter, so when I decided to head back I was looking forward to some top class hill walking.
I try and vary my routes up hills I have been up before to try and get a different perspective, and today I looked at the map and decided to head steeply up Driesh by the Scorrie. Although steep I reckoned it would give me some great views down Glen Clova as well as a different route to the summit!
Heading off before the sun rose I eventually navigated my way through the trees and under fences to the steep hillside of the Scorrie (Not for those who don’t like pathless seep ground!). The views were as good as expected. As I headed up the sun had risen on the north side of Glen Clova with the rays illuminating these peaks and the glen winding down below me. I was soon up and skirting round winter Corrie which looked Great – I vowed to return to do this circuit once winter was more established ( TBR!). Once on the open plateaux , it was a leg stretch to the windy summit of Driesh. As I approached the summit the views over the lowlands opened up and the views were extensive with The Lomonds of Fife easily recognizable as well as the Ochils and beyond.
A quick break here and I was wrapped up to face the elements as I headed over towards Mayar. A relatively easy hike against the wind saw me on the summit not too long after being on Driesh. Perhaps the highlight of the “normal” route is the decent into the wonderful Corrie Fee. A grand setting and playground for winter climbers it also an incredible place to wander and just take in the surroundings. Unlike the higher, featureless plateaux, Corrie Fee has to be one on the finest Corries in the country. I descended down then took a seat before entering the forest to take in my surroundings, a fabulous place!
Next up was the walk down and through the forest, listening to the wild life and enjoying a superb forest walk.
Although the peaks are not the most shapely in the highlands, this walk has to be one of finest for views and variety! Note – the Scorrie Route is very steep and not recommended if you are not used to steep pathless ground. In winter conditions even more care is required (vlog in these conditions to come soon!!).
Use this image without my permission is illegal. All Rights Reserved ste.t.©
C'è un piacere nei boschi senza sentieri,
C'è un'estasi sulla spiaggia desolata,
C'è vita, laddove nessuno s'intromette,
Accanto al mar profondo, e alla musica del suo sciabordare:
Non è ch'io ami di meno l'uomo, ma la Natura di più....
There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more
George Gordon Byron
In September 2017, we spent 11 days of hiking and packrafting in the unspoiled wilderness of southern Greenland between the magnificent Tasermiut fjord and the remote settlement of Aappilattoq, searching for beautiful landscapes, moods of solitude, and enjoying a true deep north adventure.
Certainly, we were far from being the first to cross these lands, however we hadn't met anyone during our 10-days hike across the pathless terrain; we just saw a few footsteps of previous adventurers in the sand.
No paths, no huts, no GSM signal, no means of civilization; this is a harsh northern landscape that requires enough stamina, experience, mental strength and patience to be crossed over. For those who don't retreat, however, the experience is very rewarding: a unique mix of isolation, exploration and adventure.
-----
During the second day in the area, we explored the central part of Tasermiut fjord (northern shore) with stunning views of Ketil, Ulamertorsuaq and Nalumasortoq peaks.
THERE is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel
What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal.
~ Lord Byron
Film - youtu.be/F0p3tWrcBpc
The Achlaise Loop – A Blackmount Photography hike!
Drive along the A82 towards Glencoe and at any time of the year and in any weather, you will hit a piece of road that has numerous photographers standing and waiting with their tripods! The stretch of road I am referring to is just before reaching Glencoe from the south where it crosses the infamous Rannoch Moor, the views here from the road side are stupendous and photographers flock here (and rightly so) to capture reflections of the Blackmount or the endless expanse of Rannoch Moor to the east.
I’ve driven past this spot many times and have stopped at Loch Ba myself to snap the early morning mists rolling over the Am Monadh Dubh. However, Munros and Corbetts aside, I have never ventured into this area to explore it a little further. The fearsome reputation of Rannoch Moor is legendary with hidden bogs and deep peat lochans ready to swallow you up. This maybe another reason I have steered clear! Well after this week’s return to winter I decided I would remove this trip from the tick list. Snow had fallen for three days prior to the weekend but the winds on the high tops were forecast to remain relatively high and this was the excuse for me to try out my route – “The Loop of Achlaise”. I had done a bit of research on the web but couldn’t really find any information on this loop. My plan was to link the four 500m peaks that surround Lochan na h-Achlaise, starting with an ascent of Glas Bheinn to capture the sunrise.
Sunrise was at 08.39 so the alarm was set for 5am and I was out hiking by the back of seven. I suspected that I would be on pathless ground until I reached the WHW, and from the off this was the case. A slight hiccup saw me returning to the car after only 5 minutes walking, to pick up the cameras I had forgotten (seeing as I was wanting to explore other viewpoints and photography angles of the Blackmount) this may have been rather annoying had I realised further from the car!! Second start and within 10 minutes I had already been floored twice by ”The Swamp”! This snow was fab and had blanketed the landscape, but it soon became obvious that in the days preceding the snow, the weather hadn’t been at freezing point! Thus the snow covered unfrozen ground, insulating it from the subsequent frosts and this led to rather treacherous underfoot conditions. Focus was now on my feet. “The Swamp” was in charge and I hadn’t even stepped foot on Rannoch Moor yet!! I was beginning to think this may be a tougher day out than the ascent and length indicated! Windless when I left the car, the marked increase in wind was noticeable as I reached the summit of Glas Bheinn. Unprotected from the moor the Northerly swept across Rannoch’s lochs and burst onto the summit. Undeterred I set about getting my camera gear out and it didn’t take long for my fingers to numb! However I was treated to a grand dawn and sunrise, with the first light hitting the Blackmount and turning the summit ridges pink – it was perfect and worth the numb fingers!!
Photos taken I then started to think about the hike again. I had spent 1.5 hrs on the summit and time was marching on. I headed back down the hill, skirting the forest and managed to avoid the hidden dangers (one bog pool revealed itself and lets just say it wasn’t shallow! Vegetation was key as I picked my way around flat snowy patches which had hidden dangers lurking beneath!
I crossed the A82 and headed for a telecoms station before striking uphill towards summit two – The Mon. I was still taking my time as the snow was soft and the ground pathless (not to mention the views – that were stunning and also hindering my progress!). However I eventually reached the summit, and the views – in all directions – were fabulous. Loch Tulla stretched out to the SW and Rannoch Moor with its Lochans dominated the Eastern horizon. The Blackmount also look great and this also gave me a different aspect from what I was used to. A couple of summit cairns and I then noticed another – this time it was a memorial to a fallen climber who passed in 1962, a poignant reminder that this landscape can be cruel and must be respected. The views from this memorial were amazing.
On to objective number three – Meall Beag. I dropped down to the Bealach and found a sheltered boulder to have my first food break. The solitude was intense, a Saturday with fine weather after a cold snap, not many hills would offer this magnitude of wilderness so close to the A82. With food in my belly, the hike up Meall Beag wasn’t too bad and I soon found myself on another top, dumb founded by the views but also back into the whistling northerly!
The next part of the adventure was the part that was going to require the most concentration – Crossing Rannoch Moor to find The West Highland Way. Map and compass out. Although the clarity was crystal and no clag was in, I need to dog leg around a water course and a number of lochans marked on the map. From the high point of the summit, I could see where these should be, but the snow hid them. Wary of what lies beneath, I proceeded with extra caution as I dropped in to The Swamp proper! As earlier, the drop in height also meant a (significant) drop in wind speed. I got to my first waypoint, took another bearing and started to head towards the WHW. The weather conditions were now superb. Blue skies and no wind and it felt Alpine with the rising Blackmount ahead. I spotted a Drumlin rising from The Swamp and headed for its summit. Once there I stopped again and spent an hour basking in the sunshine and taking photos – doesn’t get better than this. Absolute solitude with stunning scenery with the weather gods smiling down – the sunglasses even made an appearance!!!
Eventually I dragged myself away and picked my way through the last of The Swamp. The WHW was a welcome sight after all my bog trotting! I headed past Ba Bridge until I reached the ruin of Ba Cottage. Originally I planned on taking the track marked on the map from here back to the road; however the weather was so good I decided on completing the four hills and headed up Beinn Chaorach. I was knackered and must admit to not enjoying the swamp fest between the WHW and the summit. I thought I had left The Swamp behind but the summit plateaux was just as bad if not worse than what I had experienced previously in the da. Added to the fact that I hadn’t eaten in hours, I felt relieved when I slumped on the summit. It was now 14.30, and I needed to be home before 18.00 for family commitments. Cue my emergency supply of wine gums. These were devoured and the sugar rush saw me with a spring in my step as I headed toward the A82. The sun was now threatening to fall behind Stob a Choire Odhair but its lower rays lit up the watery landscape revealing strings of Gold that ran through The Swamp below me- a fine sight! Soon I was padding back along the A82 – just in time for sunset – so along with all those photographers that I passed I managed to snap the iconic view to the Blackmount too. Reflections galore as the skies changed colour for the final time before darkness fell. Back to the car and back home – in the nick of time!!
You know it’s been a long day with a heavy pack when you are in pain holding the steering wheel and changing gears!!! The hardest and toughest outing for some time….. Neve under estimate “The Loop of Achlaise”!!
In September 2017, we spent 11 days of hiking and packrafting in the unspoiled wilderness of southern Greenland between the magnificent Tasermiut fjord and the remote settlement of Aappilattoq, searching for beautiful landscapes, moods of solitude, and enjoying a true deep north adventure.
Certainly, we were far from being the first to cross these lands, however we hadn't met anyone during our 10-days hike across the pathless terrain; we just saw a few footsteps of previous adventurers in the sand.
No paths, no huts, no GSM signal, no means of civilization; this is a harsh northern landscape that requires enough stamina, experience, mental strength and patience to be crossed over. For those who don't retreat, however, the experience is very rewarding: a unique mix of isolation, exploration and adventure.
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The logistics in Southern Greenland takes time; we had to travel from Narsarsuaq to Nanortalik for five hours as part of Disko Line's regular weekly boat connection.
I was on assignment on Saturday photographing the Director of the National Park Service (Jon Jarvis) who was visiting Big Cypress. After the event I felt the need to explore. This was over a mile from the nearest road or trail...way out where peace is easy to find!
"There is pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more"
--Lord Byron
I'm trying to get back into landscape photography...it has been a bit birdy around my Flickr stream recently. :-)
"I had a dream, which was not all a dream.
The bright sun was extinguish'd, and the stars
Did wander darkling in the eternal space,
Rayless, and pathless, and the icy earth
Swung blind and blackening in the moonless air;
Morn came and went and came, and brought no day,
And men forgot their passions in the dread
Of this their desolation; and all hearts
Were chill'd into a selfish prayer for light."
~Lord Byron
A reflection of my feelings this morning after the attack in Nice. These are troubling times indeed when every week seems to bring news of another senseless act of mass violence. However, I still hope for the sunrise...