I arrived at the ski car park a little late but was determined to push on, this was too good an opportunity to miss. I’d planned to shoot the Milky Way arching over the Loch Avon basin, it would be in just the right location and clear skies were forecast, a rare occasion.
As it turned out there was quite a bit more snow than anticipated which slowed me down and sought to drain my energy levels quicker than I would have liked. This wasn’t so bad until I hit the steep pull up the flank of Cairn Lochan, the summer path hidden under the snow, it was time to don crampons to prevent any unwanted slips.
Star trails
On reaching the top I’d forgotten how far it was across and down to where I’d camped before and now in the failing light it seemed to get more distant the faster I tried to go. With so much drifted snow not only was it hard to locate my favourite spot but the deep snow was taking it’s toll on my poor tired legs.
With darkness setting in I was now in a bit of a pickle, forced to dig out the head torch it was difficult to find a flat spot, when I did it was impossible to get the pegs into the ground. After an hour of trudging around in circles and cramp setting in to my legs, I hadn’t been drinking anywhere enough fluids, I finally found somewhere to get the tent up.
All I wanted to do was jump into my sleeping bag and get some food on, I hadn’t even stopped for lunch and my stomach was hinting profusely with incessant rumbling noises. I still had to trundle down the slope to perch precariously on the side of the burn (stream) to get some water.
By the time I got back to my tent I was all for calling it a day, I had no energy left for the challenges the night time photography posed. I shrugged the lack of energy off, I’d made it this far so grabbed the camera bag, tripod and started the half kilometre slog over to my shooting position.
Star trails were the first order of business with the Fuji camera it was possible to set the timer to run for half an hour and leave it run, meanwhile I worked out my start and finish points for shooting a panorama for the Milky Way arch.
Star trails finished and I did a series of shots for my panorama, took a few other shots then was ready to head back to the tent. I moved the camera just as I saw the beginning of the Aurora. Dinner and sleep would have to wait, I stayed for nearly another hour photographing the spectacular light show before me.
It was finally time to call it a night as I made my way wearily but oddly in high spirits back to my home for the night, there was a surprise waiting for me. I settled in an started to get dinner on, except I’d accidently left the dehydrated pasta dish at home, I was too tired to curse and so my uneaten lunch became my dinner. Oh well it was quicker and easier washed down with a large mug of hot sweet tea.
A couple of hours later and I was up again heading back to the same spot for sunrise, it was beautiful but paled after last nights performance.
I had a lazy morning after that taking in a snooze before a breakfast of porridge and hot coffee ready for the walk out.
Getting ready for the off…
How humble my little red shelter looked in the middle of the vastness of the Cairngorms.
Crags above The Great Slab
I enjoyed a more leisurely walk out enjoying the warmth of the sun after an overnight temperature of -10ºC, a chilly one.
Exhaustion was not an option and I was so glad I ignored the aches and pains, it was a privilege to witness the Aurora and my Milky Way panorama was far more spectacular than I could have ever imagined it would be. Exhaustion, what exhaustion?