On Monday morning, we set off nice and early for an ascent of Ronas
Hill, the highest point in the Shetland Isles. As per my previous ascent of
Ronas Hill in 2013, we started our ascent from the base of Collafirth Hill
where there is a sign advising that the road to the summit of Collafirth
Hill is suitable only for 4x4s; the road has a number of sizeable pot holes.
My progress up the hill was hampered somewhat by the weight of my DSLR
with 560mm lens. I had decided to carry the heavyweight camera on the
off-chance of seeing some wildlife. As it turned out, I saw very little in
the way of wildlife so carrying the DSLR was just a burden.
Looking
back to starting point and Colla Firth:
We
followed the tarmac road as far as the summit of Collafirth Hill before
continuing via pathless ascent to reach Mid Field and then Ronas Hill.
Approaching the summit of Collafirth Hill:
Information Sign about Ronas Hill:
During the traverse to Ronas Hill, we passed countless red granite boulders,
and on the higher slopes, numerous eroded terraces formed by solifluction.
About to ascend Mid Field:
View during ascent:
Marker cairn passed during ascent of Mid Field:
On
my first ascent of Ronas Hill in 2013 we saw virtually nothing due to low
cloud. The weather forecast on this occasion was excellent, however the
reality was more low cloud
.
During
this trip, I frequently reviewed the MetOffice iPhone app. More often than
not, its forecasts were incorrect. If coming to Shetland, be prepared for
any and all weathers and don't trust the forecasts.
Approaching the
summit of Mid Field:
From the summit of Mid Field, we descended to the col between Mid Field and
Ronas Hill passing a solitary Mountain Hare which sped off into the mist.
Ronas Hill:
During the final stretch to the summit, and while at the summit, visibility
was close to zero.
Approaching the summit of Ronas Hill:
At
the summit we visited the large chambered cairn, the trig point and shelter,
and the summit rock.
Chambered Cairn at the summit of Ronas Hill:
Trig point and summit shelter:
At
the summit of Ronas Hill:
Looking inside the chambered cairn:
We
then returned to the van via the same route.
Looking back to Ronas
Hill from lochan:
Looking back to Ronas Hill from Mid Field:
As
is often the case, by the time we reached the van the cloud had lifted above
the hill and the summit of Ronas Hill was clear
.
An
enjoyable but misty brief walk up Shetland's highest.