A Fine Day in the Hills
Posted: Thursday, 07 December 2006 |
Nearly a fortnight ago I went up The Clisham, the highest hill in Harris, with some friends. It was a beautiful still day, the sun was shining and there was no wind. We set off along the old post road at the back of ten, with me worrying whether or not I could keep up with them and the dog rubbing it in by charging off ahead and doubling back every few minutes.
I had been up this hill twice before, once in the snow some 14 years ago and again in June this year, to celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary (well it seemed like a good idea at the time; the walk that is, not the wedding), and both times the hill had seemed formidable; its summit always further out of reach no matter how much I climbed. On both occasions I had returned utterly knackered. Not this time though, I told myself, third time lucky.
How I laughed at my absurd optimism some three hours later, as my legs steadfastly refused to go any further up the near vertical slope, beyond which, I knew, the summit lay. Or at least I would have been laughing had I not been hyperventilating. The dog loped back to check on the hopeless case, having been to the top and back three times already. I made a face at him. He looked back at me pityingly. Right, I thought, that's the final straw, I'm going to get to the top of this b****** if it kills me, which it very likely will.
One superhuman effort later....and this is what we saw...........
I've seen a Brockenspectre before, but this one was amazing. Well worth all the effort to get to the top. Shortly afterwards, the cloud came down and we got completely soaked, but did we care...?
I had been up this hill twice before, once in the snow some 14 years ago and again in June this year, to celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary (well it seemed like a good idea at the time; the walk that is, not the wedding), and both times the hill had seemed formidable; its summit always further out of reach no matter how much I climbed. On both occasions I had returned utterly knackered. Not this time though, I told myself, third time lucky.
How I laughed at my absurd optimism some three hours later, as my legs steadfastly refused to go any further up the near vertical slope, beyond which, I knew, the summit lay. Or at least I would have been laughing had I not been hyperventilating. The dog loped back to check on the hopeless case, having been to the top and back three times already. I made a face at him. He looked back at me pityingly. Right, I thought, that's the final straw, I'm going to get to the top of this b****** if it kills me, which it very likely will.
One superhuman effort later....and this is what we saw...........
I've seen a Brockenspectre before, but this one was amazing. Well worth all the effort to get to the top. Shortly afterwards, the cloud came down and we got completely soaked, but did we care...?
Comments
Amazing picture, could you explain what Brockenspectre means - we don't get them here!
alix from at a desk in the midlands
Alix, a Brockenspectre is a giant shadow (your own) which you occasionally see up mountains if the conditions are right. You need lots of thin white cloud and sunshine. Photos number 4 and 5 show the human figure most clearly I think. It is named after the Brocken in the former East Germany, a mountain famous for ghosts and spirits. They are actually quite spooky as the weather conditions required also mean that it is unnaturally quiet.
BoB from Lewis
having been up myself i would like to share some tips about what to do/dont do at the top - 1.NEVER! under any curcumstance take a carry out and get p***ed at the top
ceanncropic from codhead
The old road was so steep my father told me that if you were in the back of a lorry climbing the Clisham you could not see the road immediately behind you because it fell away so steeply. Well done BoB and all without sherpas!
Harris T Weed from Mt Rushmore Ness
Now I know what to look for I thought I could see it bes t on pic one - arms and legs and everything. Dead spooky.
alix from midlands
Wonderful pictures which inspired me to seek further knowledge of the Brokenspectre ... it made interesting reading. As for you not finding it as easy as your four legged friend to indulge in a little climbing I suggest that perhaps the fact that four legs are more agile than two should be brought into the equation! Plus, of course, the dog had his center of gravity closer to the ground! Seeing the Brockenspectre would have more than made up for weak legs etc.
Plaid from Outback
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