Beinn Nibheis - Scene 1

I sit and pause, looking at the sky blue ceiling above me. White vapour cotton wool clouds gently float like water lilies on an upside down pond. My humble seat, an igneous rock from the Devonian period. A glaciation past has moulded this comfort to rest this weary climber. I am in fortunate delight as this skyscraper of old can turn nasty with nature. These marvels can unite and lure unsuspected hikers, and draw them into a weather world they have never known. The gulley's and faces of this quite wonderful Munro hide challenges and dangers for all who dare climb. Many have been lost as they become disorientated, as natures weather closes in. The ascent route to the summit on a day like today is quite wonderful. The beauty of the glens, with their sporadic mix of andesite and basaltic lava mountains, rival many a range on our fine planet. Many colours explode on the surrounding canvas. Greens and beige's, greys mingling with red granite masses. Screes are in evidence, a sign of the range ageing as natures seasons take their toll. Plant life carpets the slopes, where grasses of sorts mingle with the purple and white heather. Ferns from a prehistoric age fan out catching the breeze, like Sea´ ferns´ in the ocean. As i climbed, at various intervals i would close my eyes and listen to the calls of the wild. The sporadic bleating of sheep, as if echoing through the glens. Crows and their hooded cousins fly sorties looking for carrion of such. Suddenly they scatter, as royalty makes a welcomed appearance. As majestic as the King of the mountains can be, a Golden Eagle glides on the thermals. His subjects looking on from a distance, for fear of angering him. Rabbits, lizards and even sheep and lambs, bow down in whatever chambers of safety allows them. As graceful as he arrived, he leaves. Slowly but slowly, the lookouts of the species declare their haven a safe zone. This climb has certainly given me a thirst, as the thinned mountain air leaves me tired. Nearby a small stream offers a weary climber a much needed tonic. This pure fresh translucent chemical substance quenches my crave, with a gentle splash over my sun beaten face, i feel refreshed to a point. http://www.thehighlanderspoems.com/scotland-3.php