WFS Diapensia expedition No 1 June 8th 2006
Dactylorhiza maculata (Heath-spotted Orchid)
Huperzia selago (Fir Clubmoss)
Alchemilla alpina (Alpine Lady's-mantle)
The Ascent continues
At first there was a track and a few interesting plants such as Pedicularis sylvatica (Lousewort), Dactylorhiza maculata (Heath Spotted Orchid), Vaccinium myrtillus (Blaeberry) in the grass but very shortly we left the track and started the main ascent over tussocks of tripping grass, through boot clogging mires and ankle twisting rocks. The clouds stayed and a slight breeze helped what was becoming (for me anyway) quite a tough climb
Those of you who climb to summits of high mountains will be aware that it is the difference in height which counts when estimating the energy expenditure. Quite a few mountains such as Ben Lawers or Cairngorm which are nearly 4,000 feet or more have car parks at well over 1,000 feet so the actual ascent isn't as bad as it first sounds.
The ascent of this particular mountain however starts at sea level and ends at 2,815 feet and so the total climb is greater than that required for many Munros. Being led by a walker rather than a botanist is a blessing and a curse. Experienced hill walkers read maps well, can find the route easier than we novices but they gallop up hills and look disdainfully down at those who are pretending to look at the flowers while really gasping for breath.
Bridie the Lurcher made us feel even more inferior. At every new crag she would bound easily to the top striking a pose for any passing artist who happened by with paints and easel.
One unexpected reward - for me anyway - was the sight, circling overhead, of the first Golden Eagle I've ever seen. This was a reminder that this is good bird country and a birder had first found what we were now looking for.
As usual we were treated to at least twenty five false peaks before a large grey one, towering over the others began to be discernable through mist. That, our leader told, was our destination. Using my finely honed judgment based on years of getting lost and wet, I estimated it was about 40 miles away.
We took lunch near a rock and contemplated forming an SAS branch of the Wild Flower Society dedicated to finding the most tiring way of seeking plants which might not be there anyway. Incidentally have you noticed how utterly delicious cheese and tomato sandwiches are when you've climbed 2,000 feet?
By now there were many more rocky outcrops and the soggy moors had given way to rougher ground which yielded promising plants like Loiseleuria procumbens (Trailing azalea), Vaccinium uliginosum (Bog Bilberry), Alchemilla alpina (Alpine Lady's-mantle) and Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Cowberry).
Checking the GPS to see how high we'd climbed was quite encouraging but there was still no sign of the quartz veined bare rock on which our plant was reputed to grow.
The cloud base had moved a little higher but the summit was still looked distant, pale grey and a long way off through the mist and cloud.
At this stage I was pleased to have photographed a few mountain plants because it wasn't at all certain we would find this elusive plant and still less certain that it would be in flower.