View allAll Photos Tagged Pathless
“There is pleasure in the pathless woods”
- Lord Byron
Sorry guys, I didn't have a chance to take a selfie today as it's been a very busy day! So instead I just edited a capture from yesterday.
I had a really fun shoot with some actors earlier. It was so much fun. The best thing about being the photographer is that I can be as bossy as I want :D Awesome.
Might put one or 2 up at some point :)
This is dedicated to the very lovely NorwayNatasha who wrote me a testimonial. Thank you.
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)
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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.
~George Gordon, Lord Byron, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage
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(scene 29)
Very sexy model Edviga wears her italian very high heels outdoors in the pathless forest, she goes through it and climbs uphill and downhill
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(scene 30)
Edviga walks in one italian shoe through street, muddy road, forest and puddles, she makes her feet very dirty.
Full video length in FULL HD 20 MINUTES (MP4 full HD 1080p/30fps, original sound, no music)
Price: 20 euro
(scene 31)
Edviga destroys and abuse red high heels, she walks on train ways, walks through the sharp gravel, bend her heels and broke both heels
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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, Lord Byron, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage
"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 Byron
Video of fun :
I had arrived in Sutherland yesterday after a four hour drive and immediately set about tackling Ben Hee. A grand day on the hill saw me back at the car by dusk and my first task was finding a spot to park the car for the evening. I had spotted a large quiet area and headed for that as darkness fell.
The stove was soon on and I enjoyed a cracking tea and the rest of the evening was spent reading my book and watching YouTube videos in the passenger seat!! Eventually bed called and I clambered into the boot and fell into a long deep sleep.
Waking at a late time of 07.45!! (shock horror !! well it was still dark!) I managed to leave the warmth of my sleeping bag and get my kit ready for today’s adventure. The hill I had chosen was a 3 minute drive down the road and has one of the longest hill names I can remember seeing !! - Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill sits above Loch More and before long I was striding along the track beside this northern Loch. The views along the loch to Ben Stack were fantastic and a halo of cloud circled the peak with the top popping out above – how I wish I had chosen that peak today!!
Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill was looking a little less inviting with a layer of cloud sitting down from about 500m, and little sign of any protrusions above it! A good ATV track leads up the hillside just before Aultanrynie is reached, but beyond this I knew it was going to be pretty much pathless with rough ground in the clag – and it was.
As I reached the ridge, I as well and truly in the clag! Up and down I went over Meallan Liath Beag and it was not until I started the pull up to the higher ridge between Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill and Carn Dearg, that things started to change. The higher I got and I started to notice little breaks in the cloud. I was sitting between some ill-defined layers of clag and every now and again I’d get a glimpse through the clag to see – erm well more clag . Up I went and I soon found myself on the higher ridge and I had to drop a little height. It was probably the summit of Carn Dearg providing shelter, but for a short spell some brightness appeared and I was accompanied by my my brocken with is glories and a fog bow – always a nice sight
However this didn’t last long and as I ascended towards the summit of Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill the clag fell about me again! It was now white with ice and the wind was strengthening . I didn’t linger long and started down southwards off the summit. It didn’t take long but soon the cloud started to break so I headed towards the edge of the ridge and I got lucky. For about half an hour, the clouds parted to give me some smashing views over Sutherland and out towards Ben Stack , it was amazing as the sun was lowering to the south and the clouds rolled about the lochans and hills, a fine sight indeed
As quickly as it had dispersed, the clag filled in again and with the sun lowering I descended a little quicker. A section of peat hags had me cursing but after what seemed like an age I found myself back on the ATV track. A quick hello to a few herds of deer and I was soon back at the car and first task was getting a brew on!
By the time I got the car sorted the darkness has won its battle and I was already readying myself for the winter solstice hike the following day.
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 4th day in the area, we left Klosterdalen valley towards the remote and barren valley of Tupaassat.
Video of fun :
I had arrived in Sutherland yesterday after a four hour drive and immediately set about tackling Ben Hee. A grand day on the hill saw me back at the car by dusk and my first task was finding a spot to park the car for the evening. I had spotted a large quiet area and headed for that as darkness fell.
The stove was soon on and I enjoyed a cracking tea and the rest of the evening was spent reading my book and watching YouTube videos in the passenger seat!! Eventually bed called and I clambered into the boot and fell into a long deep sleep.
Waking at a late time of 07.45!! (shock horror !! well it was still dark!) I managed to leave the warmth of my sleeping bag and get my kit ready for today’s adventure. The hill I had chosen was a 3 minute drive down the road and has one of the longest hill names I can remember seeing !! - Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill sits above Loch More and before long I was striding along the track beside this northern Loch. The views along the loch to Ben Stack were fantastic and a halo of cloud circled the peak with the top popping out above – how I wish I had chosen that peak today!!
Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill was looking a little less inviting with a layer of cloud sitting down from about 500m, and little sign of any protrusions above it! A good ATV track leads up the hillside just before Aultanrynie is reached, but beyond this I knew it was going to be pretty much pathless with rough ground in the clag – and it was.
As I reached the ridge, I as well and truly in the clag! Up and down I went over Meallan Liath Beag and it was not until I started the pull up to the higher ridge between Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill and Carn Dearg, that things started to change. The higher I got and I started to notice little breaks in the cloud. I was sitting between some ill-defined layers of clag and every now and again I’d get a glimpse through the clag to see – erm well more clag . Up I went and I soon found myself on the higher ridge and I had to drop a little height. It was probably the summit of Carn Dearg providing shelter, but for a short spell some brightness appeared and I was accompanied by my my brocken with is glories and a fog bow – always a nice sight
However this didn’t last long and as I ascended towards the summit of Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill the clag fell about me again! It was now white with ice and the wind was strengthening . I didn’t linger long and started down southwards off the summit. It didn’t take long but soon the cloud started to break so I headed towards the edge of the ridge and I got lucky. For about half an hour, the clouds parted to give me some smashing views over Sutherland and out towards Ben Stack , it was amazing as the sun was lowering to the south and the clouds rolled about the lochans and hills, a fine sight indeed
As quickly as it had dispersed, the clag filled in again and with the sun lowering I descended a little quicker. A section of peat hags had me cursing but after what seemed like an age I found myself back on the ATV track. A quick hello to a few herds of deer and I was soon back at the car and first task was getting a brew on!
By the time I got the car sorted the darkness has won its battle and I was already readying myself for the winter solstice hike the following day.
"There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar."
Lord Byron
The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye - Scotland
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.
"There is pleasure in the pathless woods,
there is rapture in 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 ~
November 23, 2022 (Dalmatia)
► █░▓ AGES AND EPOCHS are made by the generations, and the generations and modern cultures are shaped by particular outstanding individuals. I know it's rather subjective, but be it: this very day marks the end of an era. The last great Serbian writer has passed away today. Milovan Danojlić was a giant and devoted genius who took part in my life privately but far more deep emotionally through his books, the recollections of a time which I only vaguely remember as child. He had an incredible, distinct, almost magical power to dig out the finest nuances of his time - the places, the people, the characters; to present them in a way so that they - normally overlooked - acquire their first true recognition and fill your inner self with an unexpected sense and fullness... My life would have been so much poorer without his oeuvre. There is hardly any sentence that I ever write without his more or less obvious influence sparked long ago. Especially in the last two decades of the last century his writings had been a source of life to me: inspiration and consolation at the same time, my private cultural crystalizing thread, the Good Book replacement, a poetic way to bridge the ages, a set of officially unrecognized volatile values to define our collective being, my communion in this grand scheme of times and souls. By and large the stuff to prove that the decay I was witnessing for my eyes had not always been our collective fate. There is now nobody to replace him, but the times are irreplaceable too; and he has left such a monumental mark that it will make sub-historical phenomena more difficult to evaporate and vanish, provided his books and reading generally are preserved. His output certainly must be enough - it floated between the superhuman abilities and human ardor and commitment. The result is a quite unprecedented reconstruction of the passed, refined and elevated by his manifest poetic charge. He is by far not praised enough by his people, but the time will tell. The loss of such a notable personality, the one who has created an ideal for some of us, makes life in this unprecedented social and cultural ebb tide increasingly difficult to wade on through. May eternal memory be granted to Milovan by our Almighty Lord!
I have received the news of his resting in France somewhere in the middle, half way between Poitier and Ivanovci, the places of his resting and his birth. Furthermore, my location at the moment is in such a remote area that I won't be able to make it to his burial. I was struck as by it as by lightning. The vast almost empty space surrounding me cannot sooth my cry, but is a perfect stage for his soul to roam: he favored Herzegowina a lot. The landscape is much like it, and a geographical and cultural extension of it. Broad expanses of sheer limestone land, enormous mythical flat patches and boastful mountains covered in the lower areas by Mediterranean bushes. The foliage blocks the view in the valleys. You have to reach a higher point somewhere to grasp the biblical proportion and impact of this amazing landscape. Having gathered some strength over a few hours after the news on Milovan's repose, I made my first hike in three years. We climbed a local hilltop, a friend and me scrambling through the difficult pathless limestone terrain. We stood at the flat top of Buljuk near Kuk (324 m) just before the sunset. The skies were clear after the previous full day of permanent cold rain. But the gale ("bura") was chilling to the bone, freezing the hands and biting sharp. In a few minutes the sun was already setting. This is then what I present to you - the last sun of the first day without the great author. The sun sinking behind the hills that block the view to the nearby Adriatic coast, with a cloud belt hovering above the sea. The end of an epoch starts today, on Wednesday November the 23rd, 2022. Nothing can and will be the same any more.
ꒌ ДАНАС ЈЕ ОТИШАО НАЈВЕЋИ: Милован Мића Данојлић [3. VII 1937 - 23. XI 2022], најбољи литерарни изданак србске земље и свога рода икад. Био сам у преписци са њим коју је прекинуо мој узастопни породични бродолом. После тога више нисам смогао снаге да се довољно саберем и са достојним надахнућем обраћам најбољем. Познавали смо се и приватно од пре. У првом браку био је са једном мојом даљом рођаком. Нема ни мог оца више, који је знао толико прича о људима, па и о њему; нема од данас ни њега, остала је из мог круга само његова прва жена са којом на жалост немам контакт.
Свака реченица коју напишем, у некој је даљој или ближој вези са њим, његовим штивом, његовим стилом, који су за мене били литерарно "свето писмо" и буквално животна утеха последње две деценије прошлог века.
Видевши вест на телевизији у забаченој кући Ћакића у Зечеву, у бескрајном кршу Буковице иза Кистања, као гром да ме погодио. Имао сам још неке потајне планове да одем до Поатјеа, нађем негде смештај и попричам с њим о важним стварима из прошлости. Или то исто, само на трему његове обновљене куће у Ивановцима. Осетио сам се као да ми се земља измакла под ногама. Од великих више нема ниједног. Можда он више није ни могао да живи у овој епоси. У оваквом времену опстају само најјачи, они наоружани Христом и православљем, непоколебиви сведоци Крсне Истине и залога будућег живота, спремни да се суоче са сваком сушом и беспутицом. Данојлић се као и сви великани литературе и културе жртвовао пролазноме, да би достигао непролазно: био је скроз предан нашем колективном бићу. Скоро у целини потопљен у своје време, као у живо језеро, у доба у којем је рођен и из којег је поникао и црпао све животне сокове. Он мора да је последњих година духовно преживљавао буквално као риба на сувом. Остати сам (без вршњака, сличних "громада", истомишљеника по перу и духу, носећих искри духа на другим крајевима света) (иако је имао породицу, жену и два велика сина), па још у таквом времену какво је ово, све то претешко је за корифеја времена које је већ истекло и оставило суву сасушену земљу такорећи без живота, а сам живот као спржено бусење траве које једва да и подсећа на свежу, бујну раскош од пре. И ми, иако двадесет година млађи од Милована, већ се осећамо као гости у овом новом добу које за нас нема кров над главом и са себе отреса сваки дух и индивидуалност, а о колективном да не говоримо.
Маран ата!
Вјечнаја памјат Миловану!
File name: P1002659-edit-AffP
"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 Byron
Looking upslope on a ridge or hill that was the objective of one of our field course's geologic-mapping exercises. I believe this shot was taken on the same day and in the same general locale shown in previously posted photos in this series, beginning with Part 8.
Assuming that's so, I have apparently climbed upsection from the vermilion-colored Chugwater Formation of Triassic age, and am in either the Sundance Formation or Morrison Formation, which are both Jurassic.
Five decades' worth of chemical deterioration in the slide from which this image was scanned has turned what was probably a brighter and more colorful scene into something more brooding, more depressing, and therefore more artistic. Now, completely without my own creative input, it has become a major statement of chiaroscuro—the painting technique of contrasting bright surfaces with dark shadows.
A steep, pathless slope like this is no fun to scramble up. That's especially so when the rocky ground is littered with dead, tanglefoot trunks and branches of fallen krummholz (wind-contorted) trees.
Add to that the fact that this spot is about 9,000 ft (2,743 m) above mean sea level. According to the Center for Wilderness Safety, the percentage of atmospheric oxygen at this height is a little less than 15 percent, a notable and very perceptible drop from the 21 percent found where my fellow Midwestern students and I came from. And the air pressure has dropped by one-quarter, while ultraviolet radiation is approximately 40 percent more intense.
Of course, it's one thing to be a highly ambulatory member of the Kingdom Animalia who can eventually repair to less challenging places, and quite another to be a shrub or coniferous tree that must live its entire life here, in a very exposed location.
Even plants fairly well-adapted to these stressful conditions are often consigned to a Hobbesian existence that is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." No wonder there's so much dead wood lying about.
You'll find the other photos and descriptions of this series in my From the Hall of Disjointed Memories album.
On our first full day in Jasper, the weather was cloudy and cold but it made the color more intense and the idea of exploring more thrilling. We rounded a corner and saw this woman with her horse exploring trails off the beaten path and I thought how magical that must feel.
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”!!
Were I - who to my cost already am
One of those strange, prodigious creatures, man -
A spirit free to choose for my own share
What sort of flesh and blood I pleased to wear,
I'd be a dog, a monkey, or a bear,
Or anything but that vain animal,
Who is so proud of being rational.
His senses are too gross; and he'll contrive
A sixth, to contradict the other five;
And before certain instinct will prefer
Reason, which fifty times for one does err.
Reason, an ignis fatuus of the mind,
Which leaving light of nature, sense, behind,
Pathless and dangerous wand'ring ways it takes,
Through Error's fenny bogs and thorny brakes;
Whilst the misguided follower climbs with pain
Mountains of whimsey's, heaped in his own brain;
Stumbling from thought to thought, falls headlong down,
Into Doubt's boundless sea where, like to drown,
Books bear him up awhile, and make him try
To swim with bladders of Philosophy;
In hopes still to o'ertake the escaping light;
The vapour dances, in his dancing sight,
Till spent, it leaves him to eternal night. - John Wilmot
Bjeshkët e Nemuna, an Albanian term translated as "cursed mountains"), also known as the Albanian Alps, is a mountain range on the western Balkan peninsula, extending from northern Albania to Kosovo and eastern Montenegro. Its peak in Albania, Maja Jezercë at 2,694 m (8,839 ft), is the highest point, the 2nd highest peak in Albania and the highest in the entire Dinaric Alps.
The regional economy is based mainly on agriculture, emigrant remittances and tourism.
The Albanian Alps, the southernmost part of the Dinaric Alps, stretch more than 40 miles from Skadar Lake along the Montenegrin–Albanian border in the southwest to Kosovo in the northeast. The southern boundary is found at the river Drin and its tributary, Valbona.
The Albanian Alps are ethnographically and sociologically diverse due to many tribes living in the region as sheep herders. Names of various Albanian tribes (Hoti, Gruda, Kelmendi, Kastrati, Dukagjini, Shkreli, Shala, Nikaj, Krasniqi, Gashi and Rugova) refer to their geographical locations within the range.
The range was formed by the folding resulting from the collision of the African and Eurasian plates. Nowhere in the Balkans have glaciers left so much evidence of erosion. After the Alps, these mountains are the most glaciated in Europe south of the Scandinavian ice sheet. They have very steep limestone slopes with abundant karst features. The Albanian Alps is a large, rugged, pathless range, and one of the rare mountain ranges in Europe that has not been explored entirely.
The Albanian Alps are cut deeply with valleys, formed by Ice Age glaciers, which created very steep walls and hollows up to 1000 meters deep. The south wall of the Maja Harapit is 800 meters high, making it the highest rock face on the Balkan Peninsula.
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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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 ...."
(Byron)
Hello, dear friends. I've taken a break from Flickr in recent weeks, to try to concentrate on health and fitness and losing weight and regaining energy. It's so easy to spend night and day in front of this computer, and then to awaken one day and realize a price has been paid for the inactivity. I've missed everyone; not just your beautiful photos, but you yourselves.
Gary and I took a walk through our local park earlier in the week, and I was thrilled to come upon a family of geese. Here they are, heading down to the water to swim. Dear and precious ....
Hoping everyone is well ..... huge hugs from my heart to yours.
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.
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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.
Yesterday the plan was to wild camp on Beinn Dearg. I did not reach the summit, and had to turn back after 8 or 9 km over mostly very rough and pathless terrain. I captured this on the way back to the car. Not the shot I was after, but hey, improvisation is key!
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, Lord Byron, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage
View in Lightbox
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.
...So was I once myself a swinger of birches.
And so I dream of going back to be.
It's when I'm weary of considerations,
And life is too much like a pathless wood
Where your face burns and tickles with the cobwebs
Broken across it, and one eye is weeping
From a twig's having lashed across it open.
I'd like to get away from earth awhile
And then come back to it and begin over.
May no fate willfully misunderstand me
And half grant what I wish and snatch me away
Not to return. Earth's the right place for love:
I don't know where it's likely to go better.
I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree,
And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk
Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,
But dipped its top and set me down again.
That would be good both going and coming back.
One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.
- excerpt from Robert Frost's "Birches." One of my favorites.
Kodak Medalist II, HP5 in HC-110.
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:
And they did live by watchfires—and the thrones,
The palaces of crowned kings—the huts,
The habitations of all things which dwell,
Were burnt for beacons; cities were consum'd,
And men were gather'd round their blazing homes
To look once more into each other's face
There is rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in it's roar:
I love not Man the less, but Nature more....
~Lord Byron~
Video of fun :
I had arrived in Sutherland yesterday after a four hour drive and immediately set about tackling Ben Hee. A grand day on the hill saw me back at the car by dusk and my first task was finding a spot to park the car for the evening. I had spotted a large quiet area and headed for that as darkness fell.
The stove was soon on and I enjoyed a cracking tea and the rest of the evening was spent reading my book and watching YouTube videos in the passenger seat!! Eventually bed called and I clambered into the boot and fell into a long deep sleep.
Waking at a late time of 07.45!! (shock horror !! well it was still dark!) I managed to leave the warmth of my sleeping bag and get my kit ready for today’s adventure. The hill I had chosen was a 3 minute drive down the road and has one of the longest hill names I can remember seeing !! - Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill sits above Loch More and before long I was striding along the track beside this northern Loch. The views along the loch to Ben Stack were fantastic and a halo of cloud circled the peak with the top popping out above – how I wish I had chosen that peak today!!
Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill was looking a little less inviting with a layer of cloud sitting down from about 500m, and little sign of any protrusions above it! A good ATV track leads up the hillside just before Aultanrynie is reached, but beyond this I knew it was going to be pretty much pathless with rough ground in the clag – and it was.
As I reached the ridge, I as well and truly in the clag! Up and down I went over Meallan Liath Beag and it was not until I started the pull up to the higher ridge between Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill and Carn Dearg, that things started to change. The higher I got and I started to notice little breaks in the cloud. I was sitting between some ill-defined layers of clag and every now and again I’d get a glimpse through the clag to see – erm well more clag . Up I went and I soon found myself on the higher ridge and I had to drop a little height. It was probably the summit of Carn Dearg providing shelter, but for a short spell some brightness appeared and I was accompanied by my my brocken with is glories and a fog bow – always a nice sight
However this didn’t last long and as I ascended towards the summit of Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill the clag fell about me again! It was now white with ice and the wind was strengthening . I didn’t linger long and started down southwards off the summit. It didn’t take long but soon the cloud started to break so I headed towards the edge of the ridge and I got lucky. For about half an hour, the clouds parted to give me some smashing views over Sutherland and out towards Ben Stack , it was amazing as the sun was lowering to the south and the clouds rolled about the lochans and hills, a fine sight indeed
As quickly as it had dispersed, the clag filled in again and with the sun lowering I descended a little quicker. A section of peat hags had me cursing but after what seemed like an age I found myself back on the ATV track. A quick hello to a few herds of deer and I was soon back at the car and first task was getting a brew on!
By the time I got the car sorted the darkness has won its battle and I was already readying myself for the winter solstice hike the following day.
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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During the 10th day in the area, we continued exploring the Aappilattoq settlement, climbing to a hill above it for stunning views all around.
Video of adventure :
Sgurr an Utha
My legs were a little weary after a long hike in the prior days, so I was after a shorter hill day, and after some map analysis I opted for a Corbett I had yet to climb – Sgurr an Utha. Located just west of Glenfinnan it was a bit of a journey to get there, especially given the recent overnight snow. The roads were a bit dicey but I eventually rolled up at the parking layby and started to get ready.
The forecast was for snow showers but the skies were blue as I headed through the forestry plantation towards my target. My initial plan was to just blast up the SW shoulder and back down again but looking at the amount of snow and the pathless, snowy rough terrain of the SW shoulder, I decided on the easier option. A land rover track runs in an easterly direction up towards Druim na Brein-choille, and to be honest gives easy walking and gains you a good bit of height before it stops around 450m. This part of the walk was glorious as I was still in the shelter of the hills but as soon as the track stopped the 15-20cm of new snow made things a little more arduous!! The going between Brein – choille and Fraoch – bheinn was slow and I can recall a least three occasions where my leg disappeared down into an unseen bog or burn – giving rather soggy boots (that’s with two sets of gaiters !!). The location was now a little more exposed to the wind and the spindrift was whistling around me and making some lovely shapes in the snow. I was really wishing I had packed my snowshoes now but I carried on with the summit of Sgurr an Utha pulling me on. Every now and then it would disappear into the cloud but I had been lucky, only a few flakes of snow and the majority of the showers had skirted round me The views towards Streap and the Loch Arkraig hills was fantastic and in the other direction there was a fabulous view down Loch Beoraid. As much as I wanted to linger on the summit, the icy gales soon saw my getting the crampons on and axe out for the decent down the rocky and knobbly South West Ridge where care and concentration was most definitely needed!! A grand few hours on the mountain and certainly more tiring than expected, although this was probably due to the underfoot conditions Hope you enjoy the video…
"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, Lord Byron, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage
"Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another." ~Juvenal, Satires
I always appreciate your visits and comments, my friends....Have a pleasant week, everyone...!
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.
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.
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.
-----
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.
@EXPLORED
Darkness
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:
And they did live by watchfires - and the thrones,
The palaces of crowned kings, the huts,
The habitations of all things which dwell,
Were burnt for beacons; cities were consumed,
And men were gathered round their blazing homes
To look once more into each other's face;
Happy were those who dwelt within the eye
Of the volcanos, and their mountain-torch:
A fearful hope was all the world contain'd;
Forest were set on fire but hour by hour
They fell and faded and the crackling trunks
Extinguish'd with a crash and all was black.
The brows of men by the despairing light
Wore an unearthly aspect, as by fits
The flashes fell upon them; some lay down
And hid their eyes and wept; and some did rest
Their chins upon their clenched hands, and smiled;
And others hurried to and fro, and fed
Their funeral piles with fuel, and looked up
With mad disquietude on the dull sky,
The pall of a past world; and then again
With curses cast them down upon the dust,
And gnash'd their teeth and howl'd: the wild birds shriek'd,
And, terrified, did flutter on the ground,
And flap their useless wings; the wildest brutes
Came tame and tremolous; and vipers crawl'd
And twined themselves among the multitude,
Hissing, but stingless, they were slain for food:
And War, which for a moment was no more,
Did glut himself again; a meal was bought
With blood, and each sate sullenly apart
Gorging himself in gloom: no love was left;
All earth was but one thought and that was death,
Immediate and inglorious; and the pang
Of famine fed upon all entrails men
Died, and their bones were tombless as their flesh;
The meagre by the meagre were devoured,
Even dogs assail'd their masters, all save one,
And he was faithful to a corpse, and kept
The birds and beasts and famish'd men at bay,
Till hunger clung them, or the dropping dead
Lured their lank jaws; himself sought out no food,
But with a piteous and perpetual moan
And a quick desolate cry, licking the hand
Which answered not with a caress, he died.
The crowd was famish'd by degrees; but two
Of an enormous city did survive, And they were enemies;
They met beside
The dying embers of an altar-place
Where had been heap'd a mass of holy things
For an unholy usage; they raked up,
And shivering scraped with their cold skeleton hands
The feeble ashes, and their feeble breath
Blew for a little life, and made a flame
Wich was a mockery; then they lifted up
Their eyes as it grew lighter, and
Each other's aspects. saw, and shriek'd, and died, beheld
Even of their mutual hideousness they died,
Unknowing who he was upon whose brow
Famine had written Fiend. The world was void,
The populous and the powerful was a lump,
Seasonless, herbless, treeless, manless, lifeless,
A lump of death, a chaos of hard clay.
The rivers, lakes, and ocean stood still,
And nothing stirred within their silent depths;
Ships sailorless lay rotting on the sea,
And their masts fell down piecemeal; as they dropp'd
They slept on the abyss without a surge
The waves were dead; the tides were in their grave,
The moon their mistress had expired before;
The winds were withered in the stagnant air,
And the clouds perish'd; Darkness had no need
Of aid from them. She was the universe.
----------------by Lord Byron
One of my favorite poem. Little more about this poem from Wikipedia is given:
Darkness is a poem written by Lord Byron in July 1816. That year was known as the Year Without a Summer - this is because Mount Tambora had erupted in the Dutch East Indies the previous year, casting enough ash in to the atmosphere to block out the sun and cause abnormal weather across much of northeast America and northern Europe. This pall of darkness inspired Byron to write his poem. Literary critics were initially content to classify it as a "last man" poem, telling the apocalyptic story of the last man on earth. More recent critics have focused on the poem's historical context, as well as the anti-biblical nature of the poem, despite its many references to the Bible. The writing of this poem also occurred only months after the ending of his marriage.
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.
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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.
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 5th day in the area, we left the barren valley of Tupaassat and entered the infamous Quinnguadalen valley.
Another re-post.
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Film of Adventure:
Beyond Assynt…
Mention Assynt and the first few things that spring into my mountain brain start with an S! Suilven, Stac Pollaidh and then the mind wanders to the C’s – Cul Beag, Cul Mor , Canisp….
Beyond Assynt lies Sutherland, mountains such as Foinavan and Quinag take centre stage… A fabulous part of the country for sure.. So when flicking through the SMC Corbetts book a few years back I was intrigued by the “other “ mountains in the area. Ben Hee, Beinn Leoid, Glas Bheinn….. My interest was sparked… sometimes the lesser known hills in areas of such mountainous beauty hold their own little secrets – they usually give the best views to the better known hills!! Chrulaiste being my favourite example, although it’s secret has long left the building!
So a short spell of settled weather, in the North West saw me spilling over maps and investigating some nice easy wild camp options. I decided on Glas Bheinn, nice and close the road and giving the potential for some splendid views
Arriving at a small layby around 4pm (the Quinag car park was full!) I set off along a rather damp stalkers path. Soon after cresting a small rise (where Suilven came into view ;)) I decided that it was time to head upwards! Pathless and rocky near the top, I had to watch my footing. Even a drenching from a few showers didn’t quail my excitement…. I was soon making my way around a magnificent Corrie that held Loch a Choire Dheirg. The views here were amazing, and these didn’t even include any mountains – just lochs, lochans and sea – this was going to be a grand place to take photos later…. A short walk to the summit Cairn and the sun came back out, the rays drying away the dampness caused by the earlier rain. There was more good news – lots of flat grassy ground to pitch. Of course I went for a pitch with a view and soon had a porch with Assynt laid out before it!
I love wild camping and I love taking piccies – especially of the sunsets and sunrises. However this is where summer in Scotland ain’t that good – there is only about 4 hrs between the two on top of a mountain at this time of year!! So after watching the sunset around 10.30, I headed off to sleep- for a whole 3.5hrs. I woke at 03.30 and fumbled about the tent! Sunrise was meant to be at 04.30 but by the time I emerged from the tent it was nearer 4 and the sky was already turning an amazing shade over the summit. Cue lots of half a sleep panicking and I ran (well trotted and stumbled) to get to the summit before the light show ended.. Think I just made it – it was amazing as ever….
Feeling pleased with myself I then lazed in the tent with the door open and watched as the rising sun lit up Assynt… What an experience…. By 0530 the sun was up and it was time to head off. I was back in the car for 07.30 so decided on a wee trip past Lochinver and round the coast. An amazing car journey on a twisty road…. I had been so lucky! So much so that I didn’t even mind the 4.5 hr drive home
Side note – with phrases like “watched with the tent door open” I know some of you will be wondering if the local wildlife came to play- well I can say with hand on heart that not one midge visited me whilst on the mountain (it was breezy the night b4 but still in the morning !! – they must have been waiting on my return at the car ;))