tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86276494439604851912024-03-13T07:08:35.743+00:00Wanders, Wonders, Worries and WhingesNonsensical rantings, from a self opinionated, guiness drinking, food loving, fully clothed hikerRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-4974915719540438662019-09-27T20:15:00.000+01:002019-09-27T20:16:33.515+01:00The Cape Wrath Trail Part 3 Kinlochewe to Cape Wrath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A bit long, but I got fed up editingRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-16250760782688730992019-09-27T20:11:00.003+01:002019-09-27T20:11:29.124+01:00The Cape Wrath Trail Part 2 Barisdale to Kinlochewe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-39591564108710952762019-09-27T20:04:00.001+01:002019-09-27T20:12:16.810+01:00The Cape Wrath Trail part 1b Glenfinnan to BarisdaleGlenfinnan to Barisdale, April 2019<br />
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I started in Glenfinnan, due to time constraints mainly, I think it was a good decision at the time, later on I felt I'd missed out a bit and went back to fill in the wee gap between Fort William and GlenfinnanRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-9524774461491714822019-09-26T12:24:00.002+01:002019-09-27T20:12:56.128+01:00The Cape Wrath Trail part 1a Cona Glen to Glenfinnan<div dir="ltr">
Corran ferry to Glenfinnan. Actually filmed a month or so after I had completed the Glenfinnan to Cape Wrath <u>walk</u></div>
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Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-85192753128227544782016-12-26T13:26:00.000+00:002016-12-26T13:26:07.210+00:00WHW Apr 16, Day 1 - Milngavie to Mallarochy camp site (20 miles)<div style="text-align: center;">
A spare week earlier this year so I decided to do the walk i said I'd never do... </div>
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I've crossed the WHW many times whilst on other walks and the constant stream of people on the way put me off, but I surmised that April should be a reasonably quiet time, especially as the weather forecast was for snow and north winds.</div>
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I enjoyed (sarcasm) the usual standing room only train journey from Aberdeen to Glasgow on the Friday afternoon as the rain, sleet and snow battered the windows, then a nice quiet 20 minute local train out to Milngavie where I was booked into the premier Inn. A last minute Tesco resupply trip and a steak pie supper (seriously, they dont do mock chop suppers down here, heathens) from the local chipper completed the preparations before i headed for an early night.</div>
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Day 1 (20 miles)</div>
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Saturday dawned nice and sunny but with a crisp white frost freezing all the windscreens in the hotel car park, I headed up the road to the official start point in the town centre, half way there a car pulled over and asked me if I knew where the WHW start point was...</div>
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I didn't bother with the usual start photo shoot, just a quick snap as I raced (@2mph ish) up to the start line, i passed half a dozen folk who all looked like they were preparing to go my way too.<br />
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The first couple of miles are through typical city parkland, not to unpleasant and it even had a cheeky wee climb to get the breathing sorted<br />
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Soon enough you leave the woods behind and appear out beside Craigallian loch, About a mile or so after the Loch there's a short road section on the B821, as I was leaving the road section part of my tooth fell out, I waited for the pain to kick in with thoughts of having to stop and head home after only 3 or 4 miles. But no pain thankfully and I continued on my merry way.<br />
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I never stopped at the Glengoyne distillery but I did nip into the Beech tree for a coffee break, well deserved after a nice easy and generally pleasant 7 miles or so. I was the only one in, athough a party of three left as I arrived, i have that affect.<br />
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The next few miles were equally easy going, along good tracks, although the busy road noise was always a constant irritant. Thankfully the "bastard" gates have been bypassed, this style of gate (and the ridiculous amount of them) drove me insane on the Speyside way<br />
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From Gartness to Drymen the way becomes a road walk, I think I was maybe passed by no more than half a dozen cars in the two miles section, so not a busy road. But after a mile or so it became ever so slightly tedious.<br />
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Garadhban forest track<br />
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I didn't see any point in heading into Drymen, although I can't deny the thought of a swift Guinness did cross my mind. Generally the weather had been very good, in fact rather warm but as I crossed the A811 it started to blow through snow, this continued on and off over the next few miles, even with the sun shining . I stopped in the queen Elizabeth forest for a cup a soup and to put some zinc oxide tape on a couple of hot spots.<br />
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When planning the walk i had decided that I would wild camp in the trees just before the climb up Conic hill, it was only just after 3 pm when i got there, so I made the decision to go over the hill and hopefully get a camp site beside loch Lomond.<br />
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The climb up Conic hill wasn't as bad as it looked from the bottom, the views were definitely worth it, unfortunately the decent ruined it. It was skitey enough in the dry conditions I had, it wouldn't be any fun at all in the wet, a very, very badly eroded steep path, just to compound my now foul mood, the wigwam gate at the bottom is impossible to get through with a bergan on, a fantastic design (more sarcasm) for a long distance trail.<span id="goog_1129704111"></span><br />
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nearly at the bottom of Conic hill, daft gate still to come.<br />
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think this is the view from the viewpoint at the "pass of Balmaha"<br />
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On finally getting down to a very busy Balmaha I decided to head for Milarrochy where a camp site was marked on the map. I was pretty tired by this stage and didn't really enjoy the very busy mile or so to the camp site, especially the 200 meter stretch along a pebble beach that sapped everything.<br />
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No complaints about the campsite though, £6.50 (I think it was) and a decent enough flat pitch, although the noises and goings on around 0300 were interesting listening.<br />
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Only 76 miles to go<br />
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<a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.com/2016/04/whw-day-2-mallarochy-to-beinglas-farm.html" target="_blank">Click For Day 2</a></div>
Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-7091784427270986052016-12-26T13:25:00.004+00:002016-12-26T13:25:54.468+00:00WHW Apr 16, Day 2 - Mallarochy to Beinglas Farm (19.8 miles ish)<div style="text-align: center;">
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Mallarochy to Beinglas Farm<br />
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Another decent enough morning dawned, but there were a few ominous looking clouds scudding about by the time i finally set off to walk. Day 1 had seen me do about four miles more than planned so today I only had about 12 miles to do if I stuck to my itinerary.<br />
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Lots of these short sharp wee climbs on the 1st stage up to Rowardennan, unfortunately with a short sharp climb, there's always a short steep downhill on the other side. </div>
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A mixture of lochside paths and roads (on which everyone seemed to be in a hurry to get to a dead end) for the first five odd miles took me to the Rowardennan hotel which had big, "open all day" signs splashed around, handy as it was the back of ten and a coffee and bacon roll break was in order, "open all day" must really mean "open later in the day" as it was closed.<br />
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Slightly disappointed and still peckish I headed off on the trail again, passing through the Ben Lomond visitor centre car park and finally getting away from roads and hopefully the hoards of folk along the lower Loch side, the weather changed with a strong biting north wind and on/off driving rain. Soon enough I passed out of the restricted wild camping zone, a bonus as that meant I could now stop and camp wherever, if the need arose.<br />
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The next two miles up to Ptarmigan lodge were pretty flat easy going, the two after that were a constant steady climb to high above the Loch shore on forestry logging roads.<br />
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I spotted a herd of red deer hinds lounging in the forest, they weren't overly bothered about my presence but kept their eye on me nevertheless. The first proper wildlife of the jaunt<br />
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This gap was actually a bit of a squeeze with a bergan on, I'd imagine anyone trying to get through with a roll mat sticking out wouldn't get though without having to take it off.<br />
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The logging road turned into a wee path, which was quite nasty in places, especially with it being wet, finally it started to descend down towards Caliness, we're my original plan had been to wild camp. It was only around midday, far too early to contemplate stopping for the day, so I continued on, passing an honesty box in the process which seemed to be selling Tablet (a fantastic instant energy booster). I didn't buy any, which I regretted almost immediately.</div>
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A mile or two past Caliness I arrived at the Inversnaid hotel, i had faint hopes of maybe getting a late bar lunch but as I walked past I couldn't see any signs for a bar and didn't fancy just walking into what I assumed was a posh gaff. I was told later that there is a bunkhouse half a mile up the hill that serves food and drink to mere mortals/smelly hikers, after half a day clambering over rocks, trees, roots and steps I probably wouldn't have walked a mile off route anyway TBH.</div>
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I walked a few hundred meters further and found some shelter behind a boat house where I fired up the wee kovea burner, some crackers and cheese with a double tomato cup a soup and added tabasco sauce fairly perks up a tired body.</div>
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Soon enough the path reverted to its usual crap condition, i spent the whole time walking with my head down so that i could watch my step. I got the shock of my life when i realised there was a wild goat happily munching away right next to me, it turned out to be a full on herd of a dozen or so. I actually bumped into another 3 herds of varying amounts over the next few miles.<br />
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Yes, some nice underfoot conditions at last, I hoped that was the end of the nightmare section, unfortunately this bit lasts for about 150 meters only<br />
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And then it's back to clambering, hanging, tripping and scaling boulders.</div>
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Finally after a pretty un-enjoyable day, the end for the Loch is reached, this would be a pretty good wild camp spot, if you moved some litter. I'd already made my mind up to push on to Beinglas farm so just pushed through.</div>
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Soon you arrive at Doune Bothy, i did have thoughts on staying there for the night as it was now nearing 1800hrs, but it was full, so i kept going. </div>
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Now I'd read reports and seen YouTube clips of people getting lost on the WHW, I'm at a loss on how that can be achieved tbh, as I've never walked such a straightforward, obvious route. </div>
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But (big but) if one was to be navigationaly challenged, 300 meters before the bothy would be the place for it to happen. As you reach the top of a rise the path goes through a bit of a mud bath, you can see an obvious path leading (to the right) out the other side, you can't really see the other (correct path on the left), i wasn't confident that the obvious path was the correct one and had a deek about, catching sight of the correct path i soon got on it, after about 20 paces the bothy appears below to confirm your "correct" choice.</div>
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im sure the "mud bath" right path/wrong path section is just at the top of this path<br />
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Although it was now getting rather damp I did enjoy this little stage away from the loch<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2V7Tg07dYrSbusxFCF5g_eCK2OIkkuNOKdEhd6RUbJ18Mpc21TglyZ4eHS7X29m4dC8dAeWlTk7uOSrpNXzypUXfCvkf3JlUfYUSlo3_tkx6GqQrYT9Ub6jCd4iix79BprBtFPUMFbg/s1600/P1000972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2V7Tg07dYrSbusxFCF5g_eCK2OIkkuNOKdEhd6RUbJ18Mpc21TglyZ4eHS7X29m4dC8dAeWlTk7uOSrpNXzypUXfCvkf3JlUfYUSlo3_tkx6GqQrYT9Ub6jCd4iix79BprBtFPUMFbg/s640/P1000972.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Soon enough you burst out of the wee wood section and onto the final climb up the side of Cnap Mor and the final views of Loch Lomond.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrkBlbGlaA_VELLAkQeMGd5OdupKGOhjpa_uAXU3JUJ2txR_UXlOw8FiOSVrNKIZTiqDrPPJxuQ8IyTAhiMbXqpDBt7EfbV7EK4z-ubFvSNb7cwc45SoodWDQvGKrXtRWNj_uo1CZNyc/s1600/P1000977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrkBlbGlaA_VELLAkQeMGd5OdupKGOhjpa_uAXU3JUJ2txR_UXlOw8FiOSVrNKIZTiqDrPPJxuQ8IyTAhiMbXqpDBt7EfbV7EK4z-ubFvSNb7cwc45SoodWDQvGKrXtRWNj_uo1CZNyc/s640/P1000977.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Your now out into a lovely wee glen with easy walking underfoot, from here it's all downhill to Beinglas farm, i think I arrived about 1900hrs, got sorted, showered and had a fantastic meal in the great wee onsite bar. I was impressed with everything about the farm, from the very friendly staff to the evening meals and would definitely recommend it to any walkers passing through. There is a decent wee on site shop that pretty much has anything a hiker needs<br />
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A late night after a very taxing day, in the sleeping bag and out cold for 2130. Another near 20 mile day, only 56 to go, i was now 8 miles ahead of my planned itinerary, a good bonus to carry into day 3.<br />
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<a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.com/2016/04/whw-day-1-milngavie-to-mallarochy-camp.html" target="_blank">Click to Return to Day 1</a> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8627649443960485191#editor/target=post;postID=2966196257122366771;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=5;src=postname">Click for Day 3</a></div>
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Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-29661962571223667712016-12-26T13:25:00.003+00:002017-08-17T23:17:48.563+01:00WHW Apr 16, Day 3 - Beinglas farm to Tyndrum (12 miles)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 3</div>
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Day 3 - Beinglas farm to Tyndrum</div>
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An overcast morning with a bit of drizzle today, once I was packed and ready to go I nipped into the bar for a bacon roll and coffee, a good start to any day.</div>
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The original plan for day three should have been to walk from a wild camp at Caliness to Auchtertyre camp site, around about 16/17 miles, but I was quite a few miles ahead of schedule and Auchtertyre was only about 10 miles away, either a short day or push through to either Tyndrum or Bridge of Orchy, decisions, decisions.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINY8kPJ7oux51I37oxa8RKqTrBqIYN1veaM2jn0au823iuu2SwzVbokUnNkPemoDzabcXYQq1Iw1NY0Lg6SrnReDUyUSKfC26PUNMxfKuxmHKzxCjKGROYXkXuiXTJ0yyVopcp_5oYUI/s1600/P1000979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINY8kPJ7oux51I37oxa8RKqTrBqIYN1veaM2jn0au823iuu2SwzVbokUnNkPemoDzabcXYQq1Iw1NY0Lg6SrnReDUyUSKfC26PUNMxfKuxmHKzxCjKGROYXkXuiXTJ0yyVopcp_5oYUI/s640/P1000979.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first mile or so after the farm were nice going, a very slight incline and the weather seemed to be improving, as you move up the glen the busy main road on the other side gradually gets closer and you become a lot more aware of it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrTMR3Skdv-Oq_uGjFBIhpvUxZuWgx43ujxL2mJQIgqkrxAgC2bZpLM0C71on8-DWXcapJwLdCMdqqKa99E4mCZYPOar9uzOHRhegMwHvlR7H-7riMz3ZOA_FNTHU1I1IaoCS5JTrqts/s1600/P1000978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrTMR3Skdv-Oq_uGjFBIhpvUxZuWgx43ujxL2mJQIgqkrxAgC2bZpLM0C71on8-DWXcapJwLdCMdqqKa99E4mCZYPOar9uzOHRhegMwHvlR7H-7riMz3ZOA_FNTHU1I1IaoCS5JTrqts/s640/P1000978.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Not long into the trip there was a section with detours. (around about the Falls of Falloch) I think it was something to do with a hydro build, but TBH I was paying more attention to the path as it was a bit confusing, a lot of the signs and safety tape had been blown over, I could see the end of the detour and I ended up just going straight for it, no one seemed to care.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvx6H1z0B66unqlDeBA0RuE73B1w5jFZ0xgjo-v1r7LZBi3GLqnuNHjf7mpid7MkdqUoEeblacQbab6Hc_aMm8Xs-1I6MlXLU_drxvTTdQzSVNi1KdovARJCjhS1xeQPN06YU29oMasyE/s1600/P1000983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvx6H1z0B66unqlDeBA0RuE73B1w5jFZ0xgjo-v1r7LZBi3GLqnuNHjf7mpid7MkdqUoEeblacQbab6Hc_aMm8Xs-1I6MlXLU_drxvTTdQzSVNi1KdovARJCjhS1xeQPN06YU29oMasyE/s640/P1000983.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Looking back, after a steady climb, the road on the other side of the glen can just be made out in the trees.<br />
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Top of the first climb and a good view ahead, nothing strenuous and a nice early leg stretch to get warmed up, there is another short climb around about Derrydaroch (more Hydro works here, but not on the track this time)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZfX2l-C54HvYuGZzpe4nH35HS9vpcoc0M2Jj4ofaY7oIdEXmYVk1_5nPgv40LERpvBrtZewhhkJV1RTK6rmgkrjzRpfica0ya7BUxoTbGACf_WFttu-nX8ZdlIKarcB7Ig83PFoUUVo/s1600/P1000988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZfX2l-C54HvYuGZzpe4nH35HS9vpcoc0M2Jj4ofaY7oIdEXmYVk1_5nPgv40LERpvBrtZewhhkJV1RTK6rmgkrjzRpfica0ya7BUxoTbGACf_WFttu-nX8ZdlIKarcB7Ig83PFoUUVo/s640/P1000988.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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another mile or so and you cross a bridge and start walking on the north bank, the path here goes alongside the river and through areas with livestock, they were friendly<br />
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Route ahead<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5h-ZiyLSW8oaJ-PIr2ZMiIiepYSUN6f9aI_d6X6S-UZwggT-ybefy5Ja3hxxiK1-GyVt0kXBijgE2xd5_p1VsPWiydHSon3QOxhYvo0NPtJwuq06uVhS6iP7VHsFO1YvjJ8dq_jpDyU/s1600/P1000989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5h-ZiyLSW8oaJ-PIr2ZMiIiepYSUN6f9aI_d6X6S-UZwggT-ybefy5Ja3hxxiK1-GyVt0kXBijgE2xd5_p1VsPWiydHSon3QOxhYvo0NPtJwuq06uVhS6iP7VHsFO1YvjJ8dq_jpDyU/s640/P1000989.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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where we've been</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxRVYx2WYCd_ZaV5UiQpC1klH72hyphenhyphenDtrBZGrjhL-M25Ft_9CFJIYuxyl4kutxHs9H5BVgF5pJJUt5Sz94tcfigkxSHj0w_f-hU0b8FV2WHEeFkUeBUQRcL6YkYHEIo2udexIyWbzMtmw/s1600/P1000991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxRVYx2WYCd_ZaV5UiQpC1klH72hyphenhyphenDtrBZGrjhL-M25Ft_9CFJIYuxyl4kutxHs9H5BVgF5pJJUt5Sz94tcfigkxSHj0w_f-hU0b8FV2WHEeFkUeBUQRcL6YkYHEIo2udexIyWbzMtmw/s640/P1000991.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And just around the corner<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Dnl4xE7Cx-J-CPofvQu_C7BnBw2TC_XTjtpmJaBe5ICKC-0CLB3wOc_a8wbDKv4dJ_d4ivGOKFBMH9WHlyKRE88MCRhiIW2s-LeTV4GgvWGD-U7850R9TsIPfA9lkxXAjIFolYxS5Xc/s1600/P1000992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Dnl4xE7Cx-J-CPofvQu_C7BnBw2TC_XTjtpmJaBe5ICKC-0CLB3wOc_a8wbDKv4dJ_d4ivGOKFBMH9WHlyKRE88MCRhiIW2s-LeTV4GgvWGD-U7850R9TsIPfA9lkxXAjIFolYxS5Xc/s640/P1000992.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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You reach the railway underpass, the photo doesn't do it justice, it is really quite low at the other end, especially with a bergan on. Normally I would have taken the bag off and dragged it through, but the cows obviously use the tunnel as a shelter and it was thick with mud and stuff....<br />
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After the underpass there's a short 100 meter or so section of old tarmac, then you go under the main road (A82) via a big, purpose built tunnel. Almost immediately there's a short but steep scramble up a wee hill to join the old military road that contours the hill for a mile or so, in some places it's very good going, in others it's a bit of a bog fest, especially around a couple of gates you need to pass through.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObu5wd9miGFwJekppEIEOWf_94yYdBDjosAAWbcWIqzR_uespZsdOzlCxw-1tqKs8pzlkblSKTIvaKGApZpQ9OstjLEHpyRkzFW-rLII9oNM96a5JausphG-07ztbOuSwWpjS59_-jiU/s1600/P1010063%25280%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObu5wd9miGFwJekppEIEOWf_94yYdBDjosAAWbcWIqzR_uespZsdOzlCxw-1tqKs8pzlkblSKTIvaKGApZpQ9OstjLEHpyRkzFW-rLII9oNM96a5JausphG-07ztbOuSwWpjS59_-jiU/s640/P1010063%25280%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
It's not the most unpleasant of walks though, and after the first 5 minutes your well away from the road, so its peace and quiet again. The track eventually reaches a viewing area and track junction. If you turn right (east) and go down through the woods for half a mile you would find yourself in Crianlarich, handy if you wanted to resupply, stay over or even bail out. There's a train station for the west coast line and quite a regular bus service.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSWcHSmKQDA3mQFNqwqi0XADAdQ2ylvakCap9jO6mJRAwiPO1Yex2VDW71u8seDsHpSKbjFC3z9IMJ41VC-0R-mogIQSB5Mriw8D3f7XtqFIu_510tSK-BK2_UXeFKW4ouQ02I1oQuC8/s1600/P1010064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSWcHSmKQDA3mQFNqwqi0XADAdQ2ylvakCap9jO6mJRAwiPO1Yex2VDW71u8seDsHpSKbjFC3z9IMJ41VC-0R-mogIQSB5Mriw8D3f7XtqFIu_510tSK-BK2_UXeFKW4ouQ02I1oQuC8/s640/P1010064.JPG" width="640" /></a> View back down, the path is slightly better the further up you go. Roughly down where the trees are, there was a section that you basically had to scale along the wall, ala spiderman for 20/30 feet to keep out of a huge puddle/mud bath, this is April, it's still a tadge wet, summer/3rd week in July should be a lot better...<br />
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Crianlarich is directly through the trees and down in the glen<br />
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Looking back down to the view point/track junction, the WHW comes in from the right, the Crianlarich path is the one that disappears into the woods. I had a slight misjudgement here, I thought that was the top of the climb, turns out there was still a good steep section still to go<br />
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The top and mair dubs<br />
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After reaching the top, you spend the next hour or so winding your way back down (and up, often) towards the road, your in the woods the whole way, some of the downs are steep, as are some of the ups, but they're all short and sharp and its not to unpleasant.<br />
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After re-crossing the A82 follow the path across a field or two and onto a bridge over the river Fillan.<br />
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Easy walking on a farm track from the river soon brings you to Auchtertyre, camping, wee trolls houses and a well stocked shop here, initially i had planned to stop here but as per every day so far, it was just a bit to early. i did stop for a bacon roll and coffee though. I sat in the sun eating and in no particular hurry, but the wind was quite cold so i didn't take as long chilling as i wanted.<br />
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wee bird mooching for crumbs<br />
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yet another crossing of the A82 soon after leaving Auchtertyre, and your soon walking alongside the river Fillan again<br />
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i presume a previous WHW walker lost his sword here, pretty careless<br />
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how do you loose a sword in a loch.<br />
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not long after the loch, i arrived in Tyndrum, quite a busy wee place, loads of camp sites, hotels and those wee hut things for dwarfs.<br />
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I nipped into the pub/hotel for a Guinness,or three and decided to have a meal as well, very nice it was too. the walking was obviously done for the day so i headed off to get the head down.<br />
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not the worst of days walking ever, pretty short section for me, there had been some nice bits, some too near road bits and a couple of nice snack stop bits.<br />
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<a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.com/2016/12/whw-apr-16-day-2-mallarochy-to-beinglas.html">Back to Day 2</a> <a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/whw-apr-16-day-4-tyndrum-to-glen-coe-19.html">Click for Day 4</a></div>
Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-42952762424924928772016-12-26T13:25:00.002+00:002016-12-26T13:25:30.535+00:00WHW Apr 16, Day 4 - Tyndrum to Glen Coe (19 miles) <div style="text-align: center;">
Day 4<br />
Tyndrum to Kings House<br />
(19 ish Miles)<br />
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Another early start, I nipped into the green welly (i think it was) for a quick breakfast snack and coffee, i sat outside with my coffee and watched the village come to life before heading out and back onto the trail.<br />
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After climbing up and out of the village the day was looking like it might be a cracker, the sun was burning off last night's moisture and everywhere you looked there was steam rising. Most of todays walking would be on the old Military road<br />
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Beinn Odhar and Beinn Dorain in the distance The railway line and the path stick pretty close together for the first 4 or 5 miles today. this is the first of a few crossings in the first 7 miles</div>
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a look back towards Tyndrum,</div>
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Beinn Dorain with the last remnants of snow, a lot of the hills still had a good covering on their eastern faces, this is a short section of maybe a mile where you leave the military road and contour the lower slopes of Beinn Odhar<br />
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nice walking, everything today is straight<br />
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oops<br />
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sink hole on the WHW, with bypass in place, bridge of Orchy in the background, where we pass under the railway and head off up hill<br />
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after Bridge of Orhy its time to climb again, quite a cheeky climb TBH, especially with a full bergan and 7 miles already under the boots.<br />
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just about at the top of Mam Carraigh, its been a good climb, all the way from Bridge of Orchy<br />
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On top of Mam Carraigh, about to decend to the Inveroran Hotel</div>
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West end of Loch Tulla, the WHW runs above the lower tree line and climbs steadily (disappearing away to the right), before dropping over into Glen Coe<br />
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you can just make out the Inveroran Hotel, all downhill from here to the bar<br />
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the hotel, roughly about 9 miles after leaving Tyndrum<br />
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the hiker bar for a very very refreshing pint of ice cold Crabbies<br />
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leaving the Inveroran Hotel, the hotel is famed for its semi tame Red Deer visitors, this one was hoping for a snack. </div>
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The walk follows the road (dead end) for about half a mile, ending at Victoria bridge.</div>
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back on the military road and heading over what is possibly classed as the edge of Rannoch Moor, there's quite a long drag up hill from Victoria bridge, but when you reach the top its quite easy going, the cobbles can be an irritation underfoot, hence why there's a side path developing<br />
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one of the down sides of hiking military roads, they're pretty straight,<br />
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eventually though you reach something, anything will do to break up the long straights<br />
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still plenty snow about. Glen Coe moutain still had the ski runs going and they looked busy.</div>
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Eventually i reached the Kings house, i crossed the burn and found a decent pitch within walking distance of the hotel climbers bar, a long day but made better by a boil in the bag meal and a pint in the bar. View from tbe Scarp was pretty decent.</div>
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Braw</div>
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The end of an another long near 20 mile day, the best day of the walk so far, especially after you get past Bridge of Orchy, the sights open up, there's barely a road of note (a couple of crossings only), looking forward to the next two days.</div>
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<a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.com/2016/12/whw-apr-16-day-3-beinglas-farm-to.html">Back to Day 3</a> <a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.com/2016/12/whw-apr-16-day-5-kings-house-hotel-to.html">Click for Day 5</a></div>
Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-70594917792038351012016-12-26T13:25:00.001+00:002016-12-27T22:55:30.041+00:00WHW Apr 16, Day 5 - Kings House Hotel to Lairigmor (14 miles) <div style="text-align: center;">
Day 5<br />
Kings House Hotel to Lairigmor (Via Kinlochleven)<br />
14 odd miles<br />
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Awoke to a very frosty morning, i had pitched my tent in just the right spot (unintentionally) the sun was beating down on me and defrosting my tent, others near the trees and bridge (in what looked the best spots) were frozen solid.<br />
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after a light breakfast i quickly packed up and took the track along to the foot of the devils staircase, it looked like it was going to be fun...<br />
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view back down from high up on the devils staircase, possibly the start of the zip zags?<br />
Quite a few folk passed me going up, but i consoled myself with the fact the majority weren't carrying anything bigger than a day pack, I'm to tight to pay for someone to drive my bags from point to point. I can see how it appeals to a lot of folks who through all sorts of circumstances probably wouldn't do the walk if they couldn't use the transportation options. I like the flexibility of stopping where i want, not where my bags are<br />
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sat on top and had a chat with a lad who was training for some mad race, fort william to<br />
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over the top of the devils staircase and the long descent to Kinlochleven begins, i really enjoy walking on this type of path<br />
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big sky, big views<br />
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a steeper section, the path is easily seen winding its way down and around<br />
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a view break, Kinlochleven just visible down in the Glen<br />
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Gleann Lolairean leading off the bottom left from the Blackwater, just 11 months prior to this picture and while on a cross Scotland Challenge (TGOC) my wife and i were stranded for a night at the mouth of the wee burn you can just make out entering the Loch. 36 hours of rain had swollen the burns into raging torrents, a night in the tent and the next morning the river was no more than a wee burn again.<br />
Although you cant see it in the picture, there's a huge dam hidden behind the wee hill, you can just see the top of one of the towers, beyond the dam is proper back of beyond, civilisation is about two days walk, 4 or 5 for any sort of resupply options<br />
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the WHW track eventually joins up with the maintenance road that goes up to the Blackwater dam for the final mile or two into Kinlochleven</div>
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probably my most enjoyable day, proper hills and good hill tracks for most of the morning, barely any road and fantastic views.</div>
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First stage of the day done (8 or 9 miles), once in the village i headed to a local bar where i enjoyed a long leisurely lunch which was most enjoyable, only 4 miles to go to where i hoped to bivi up so no rush, the majority of folk i spoke to were stopping in the village, so a really early finish for most. before leaving i decided to pay a visit to the COOP for a final resupply </div>
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the climb out of Kinlochleven, (very cheeky) and a look back down to the loch, the pap of glencoe on the horizon.</div>
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and back towards the village</div>
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further up, a couple of hours earlier i had come down the right hand side of the Glen directly opposite, you can just make out the pipes that run up the glen.</div>
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Lairigmor (an old ruin/Sheiling), the glen itself was peace and quiet central and without doubt the best pitch of the trip, i'd only seen two other people since leaving Kinlochleven.</div>
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as the sun went down it got rather nippy, down jacket and beanie on while knocking up a boil in the bag culinary delight to end what had been a very satisfying day<br />
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<i><a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.com/2016/12/whw-apr-16-day-4-tyndrum-to-glen-coe-19.html">Back to Day 4</a> </i> <i> <a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.com/2016/12/whw-apr-16-day-6-lairigmor-to-fort.html">Click for Day 6</a></i></div>
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Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-77969222536717021632016-12-26T13:25:00.000+00:002017-08-18T00:17:59.392+01:00WHW Apr 16, Day 6 - Lairigmor to Fort William (10 miles) <div style="text-align: center;">
Day 6 </div>
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Lairigmor to Fort William<br />
10 miles</div>
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Scotland in April + a bit of altitude and a shaded glen sets it up nicely for a bloody cold crisp, frosty morning</div>
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But, waking up in the Scottish hills is unbeatable<br />
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looking back up the Glen towards Kinlochleven, the sun is finally starting to poke over the hills<br />
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and things are starting to defrost, the route out is straight down and around the corner, hidden to the right<br />
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The walk out of the glen was a bit longer than i realised TBH, i was glad i hadn't stopped in Kinlochleven yesterday as that would have added another 3 or 4 miles onto the final days walking today. </div>
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After leaving the glen, there's quite a bit of up and down bits, the majority through the track meanders through felled forrestry, eventually you leave the landrover track and move onto a very pleasant narrow trail, for the last few miles. </div>
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On cresting a wee rise Ben Nevis appears, this was as good a place as any for my first and only stop of the day, it was very pleasant sitting in the sun with a bottle of water and a snickers bar.<br />
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After 20 minutes chilling it was bergan back on for the next mile or two of gradual decent through mature forrestry .<br />
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steeper than they look, it amused me that the handrail is on the "safe" side, the open side has a wee drop down to a burn. This is pretty near the bottom of the wee glen. All that remains is an easy shortish but final climb of the WHW.<br />
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After the wee climb the trail joins another forestry/logging track above Glen Nevis, looking across to the Ben you can see the traffic build up on the "tourist path" to the top.<br />
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it's downhill all the way from here for the WHW though, I thought it was quite a long drag down to the Nevis centre, (worse coming up i imagine) but I was suffering a wee bit of a dodgy belly and couldn't make up my mind wether to stick or twist, my stomach suddenly decided to twist and a very rapid journey off trail and into the trees ensued.<br />
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On reaching the Glen floor the final few miles are completed on tarmack along side roads that get steadily busier the closer you get to trails end. The end of the WHW was a bit of a disappointment for me, after coming down from the hills, your left with a 2 or 3 mile walk into town, alongside what becomes a very busy road, i passed the old finish, but couldn't be bothered walking to the official/corporate finish at the other end of town and only walked as far as the train/bus station.<br />
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Theres a nice cafe above an outdoor shop opposite the bus/train station, i met my lift there, had a huge tasty burger and pint or two of Guinness before heading through to Aviemore for a well deserved night out.<br />
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Overall the walk along the WHW was ok, the last 2 1/2 days were really enjoyable, great scenery and mostly away from roads/civilisation. I wouldn't want to do the Glasgow to Loch Lomond to Tyndrum bits again, mind you the way it's going with the loch Lomond park authorities I expect walkers to be banned soon if they don't buy a #LLTNPA 'r' Ace T shirt and camp where they're told (at a premium price of course).</div>
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<a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.com/2016/12/whw-apr-16-day-5-kings-house-hotel-to.html">Back to Day 5</a> </div>
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Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-27765991528241558612016-12-19T17:16:00.000+00:002016-12-27T22:59:28.869+00:00My standard packing list<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I pretty much pack the same stuff, no matter if its one or fifteen nights, even on day hikes I often carry the same pack, it keeps me pack fit (maybe!!!). On the odd occasion I only take a day sack, I feel naked. Below is a kit list from a recent 5 day walk up the WHW and a bimble on the Kintyre Way (Kintyre way by far the better walk)</div>
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I use <a href="https://lighterpack.com/" target="_blank">Lighterpack.com</a> to plan my loads, a really spot on site, unfortunately I can't figure out how to display the list on this blog, so I've resorted to good old fashioned screenshots, sorry.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawYV_NBIr8P4Tr5wD9qe0FTkk6tmfl3B7JEaxgfy37cOElOqpVTdj4IYkbv-NBmF1TAhP2cHDI5n18Eu8WcfIsUVgqpKmnLl2PpSj5GCQw6YRdK2qWiEEDkwrxdFbHO1us1dgZNHnHa0/s1600/Screenshot_20161219-160909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawYV_NBIr8P4Tr5wD9qe0FTkk6tmfl3B7JEaxgfy37cOElOqpVTdj4IYkbv-NBmF1TAhP2cHDI5n18Eu8WcfIsUVgqpKmnLl2PpSj5GCQw6YRdK2qWiEEDkwrxdFbHO1us1dgZNHnHa0/s640/Screenshot_20161219-160909.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNfAIEyXpLKRdkpHmv0o42sxZVuZFIsv8WxTUITwr6YpCypWXXUBj-aPR9vuFmCHmZVhQtxd08zWWItjwQvLfNmAIujf5i31wv5e8hoMdMRYNnnRKjP_3Goi-RVagbS3LX02NYXpojWY/s1600/Screenshot_20161219-161005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNfAIEyXpLKRdkpHmv0o42sxZVuZFIsv8WxTUITwr6YpCypWXXUBj-aPR9vuFmCHmZVhQtxd08zWWItjwQvLfNmAIujf5i31wv5e8hoMdMRYNnnRKjP_3Goi-RVagbS3LX02NYXpojWY/s640/Screenshot_20161219-161005.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I rekon I could lighten the load slightly,<br />
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Get rid of sleeping bag stuff sack, but it rains now and then in Scotland, and I'm a bit paranoid about getting it damp/wet. Something to ponder though.<br />
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Dump the pillow, No chance, i love it<br />
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Dump some stuff sacks, possibly.<br />
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Lighter bergan and sleeping bag, possible but i love them both and can't really justify/afford to change them for a gram or 500<br />
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Smaller power pack? Possibly but the EasyAcc keeps my phone going for a week easily.<br />
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Drill holes in my spoon, nah, yer ok.<br />
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<br />Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-57775641187025386622016-04-23T15:44:00.000+01:002019-09-26T12:09:34.767+01:00TGO CHALLENGE 2015, THE END IS NIGH, DAYS 11 &12<div style="text-align: center;">
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Awoke on day 10 to another reasonable morning, the room in the Deeside inn was comfy enough, the dining room came across as a bit pretentious though. The kitchens must be in Aberdeen as the service was slower than a week in jail, as well as being semi cold it wasn’t what was ordered, we didn't send it back as we hoped to walk to stonehaven within the next few days. They also had a charge for paying the bill by card, ridiculous. </div>
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Day 11</div>
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Ballater to Waulkmill</div>
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21 miles</div>
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A bit of a quandary this morning on what to do route wise.</div>
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My planned route from Ballater had been to cut along the tops via Glen Tanar, hill of cat, Clachnaben and into the Fetteresso. Unfortunately Susans feet had been in tatters with blisters since day 2 and how she had got this far is down to guts, ibuprofen, normal female stubbornness and being ever so slightly nuts, she also started the challenge with a chipped bone in her knee after falling out our front door (sober). </div>
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The decision was either to get her put down and walk the planned route myself or change the plan completly and use the Deeside Way. Everywhere was still closed and we had already wasted about three hours at breakfast, so off we went down the old railway towards Aboyne</div>
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The Deeside Way is very easy going, not to hard underfoot like a lot of old railway lines, but it does stick pretty close to the road for the majority of time.</div>
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The fantastic cambus o'may bridge, we had a wee sit down here and bumped into three lads that recommended the scones at the Loch Kinord hotel, a wee bit further down the line in Dinnet. Since I forgot to finish this blog off and it's almost a year later i thought I'd add the local news footage for the same bridge during storm frank (click link) <a href="https://youtu.be/7E6ALVDTUzk" target="_blank">Cambus O’May Bridge flood</a></div>
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Just before Dinnet the rain came on and we took the "amazing scones" advice and nipped into the hotel, best advice of the challenge, they were spot on, we'll never drive past again without stopping in by.</div>
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As we approached the Boat inn in Aboyne, the rain became torrential so we nipped in for a bit of shelter and a coffee, ended up having a fine crayfish sandwich and a bowl of mushroom soup, it was a bit cold, but I believe thats posh, personally I'd have stuck it back in the microwave for a quick ziz. </div>
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After Aboyne we had quite a bit of road walking, a mistake on my behalf as we should maybe have gone back onto the Deeside Way until we reached Potarch. As it was we followed roads and forrest trails until we rejoined the Way at the Potarch hotel.</div>
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From the hotel it was a long climb up the hill, until we again left the way as it headed over towards Banchory while we kept on to Feughside campsite for the night, the rain had gone off and it turned into a decent enough night.</div>
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The campsite was very very quiet and we couldn't find anyone to pay, so we pitched up, got some food on the go and chatted to 3 or 4 other challengers that appeared at about the same time. </div>
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Day 12</div>
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Waulkmill/Feughside to Stonehaven </div>
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19..7 miles<br />
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Probably/hopefully the last day dawned and it was a wee bit frosty, we were up and away before there was much movement from the other tents. (We found the proprietor and paid) we were on the short road section to Strachan (pronounced straan, you suvern heathens) in no time.</div>
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A bit of artistic photography on the move, I'm available for weddings or funerals...</div>
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This was a very long climb up into the Fetteresso, especially on sore feet, I embellished the truth slightly (possibly not for the first time) by stating it was the last uphill of the walk</div>
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A Roe deer having a snack in the middle of the Fetteresso, some folk don't really like the fetteresso but I actually find it quite peaceful and rarely meet anyone in it, I always forget how big it is though.<br />
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A popular last real option for stopping overnight in the forrest, before pushing on to a short hop into Stoney. I always feel it's to close to the end to stay, and again today we pushed on past.</div>
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Its raining again, but this is definitely the last hill of the 2015 TGOC, from the top Stonehaven lays before you and our first view of the north sea, at this stage it was a huge struggle just to keep hobbling along, if it didn't hurt then it wasn’t attached to us.<br />
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The final walk through stoney must have been comedy for any bystanders, the two of us were totally scunnered and hobbling along like we had our boots on the wrong feet.<br />
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That is my happy face...</div>
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Thats my really happy face, stoney is a cracking finish, pubs and chippers everywhere. Added bouns its only 20 odd miles from home and I could hear a hot bath calling.<br />
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After moaning about wet feet for days on end, Suz was a bit adverse to now getting them wet deliberately, after the obligatory photos it was into the ship for a well deserved pint or two until our lift turned up.</div>
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A brilliant achievement for Susan, that she is quite rightly very proud of, she really grew into the trek as the days passed and without her humour and determination I might have been tempted to wrap a few times myself. For all the pain she went through, she still loved pretty much every moment of it, what was harsh and nasty at the time has evolved into great memories. We both feel we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the fellow challengers (to many to name) who we met, chatted with in passing or walked alongside, the friendliness, humour and encouragement was second to none</div>
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Since the challenge finished, Suz has lost 6 toe nails, but is still waiting for her appointment to get her knee sorted, its only been 8 months.</div>
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<a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/tgo-challenge-2015-its-all-downhill.html" target="_blank">CLICK FOR DAYS 8, 9 & 10</a><br />
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Good luck to the 2016 challengers </div>
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Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-69935230052309029492015-10-22T00:34:00.000+01:002016-05-17T01:38:17.023+01:00TGO CHALLENGE 2015 IT'S ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE (metaphorically speaking) DAYS 8, 9 & 10<div style="text-align: center;">
After a very pleasant night, a great sleep and a full fat lads breakfast we sat on the front steps of the Cairngorm hotel and donned our boots in glorious sunshine. It looked like being another cracker.<br />
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Day 8<br />
Aviemore to Faindouran lodge 19 miles ish</div>
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Today's first leg was from Aviemore up to Loch Morlich, (funnily enough, where I learned to canoe in 1987, it will be forever embedded in my memory, as the course started by learning Eskimo rolls, after spending a day upside down in the loch, its easy to see why Eskimos find igloos cozy).</div>
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Leaving Aviemore began with yet another crossing of the Spey</div>
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I didn't expect to be over enamoured with the path which parallels the Cairngorm road, but it turned out to be a very pleasant start, fine weather, easy paths, scenery, and especially the second breakfast at Glenmore.</div>
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A few challengers also leaving Aviemore turned off the road early to head through the forest towards the Lairig Ghru, or maybe up and over the Braeriach plateau for the more adventurous.</div>
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Bonny loch in the Ryvaon pass, I'd read years ago that Lochan Uaine has loads of leeches, I don't know how true that is, but its a good story (with added embellishments) to give your walking parther the willies. </div>
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Out of the pass and back into the hills</div>
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Pretty much at the start of the climb up Bynack More. Its still a nice day although the glorious sun of the early morning had disappeared and clouds coming in from the west looked rather ominous. </div>
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All of a sudden the wind kicked in, the rain came on and the temperature dropped to "dashed nippy"</div>
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Detouring around Bynack More, the path splits hereabouts, right for mountain goats, left for the weak, we went left.</div>
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Every now and then I had to check my partner was still there, the camera was the easiest option, turning my head in the wind would have resulted in whiplash. </div>
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The wind around the east/south side of Bynack became pretty mental, if anyone at the cheese and wine party got smacked in the head by a bright orange, size small osprey rain cover, sorry. The story of why I even had a small osprey rain cover on a montane 55ltr bergan is a story for another day. Needless to say it made no difference being without it for all the good it was doing. </div>
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"Avvvvalanche"</div>
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The last mile or so into the Fords of Avon were rather uncomfortable underfoot, along with a head on gale there wasn't much scenery enjoyment going on. I had offered Suz the chance of a shortcut by going cross country and up and over the saddle on Corie Riabhach, her feet decreed that sticking to the path was probably the best option. </div>
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Looking through Strath Nethy. It had been planned route into the Fords but the other (north) side where we intended to enter the glen looked decidedly wet underfoot, hence a spur of the moment change of plan, up and around Bynack More instead. The strath remains as the one route into the Fords of Avon that I've never stepped foot in.</div>
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Heading down to the fords of Avon bothy, in reality an emergency shelter, a beautiful place on a nice day, nae much fun on a day like today. There were a surprising amount of folk milling about and a couple of tents already up, quite impressive as the ground is pretty rough and always soaking in the bowl. TBH, I couldnt think of a worse place to stay in this weather, Suz was knackered but even she demanded we push on and get somewhere slightly more three star.</div>
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As soon as we turned down Glen Avon the relief from the wind was instant</div>
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Pretty wet and knobbly underfoot for the next few miles, there was a spot here and there that would have been plenty comfortable enough to bang up a tent, but Suz had got a second wind and decreed we would stop at Faindouran lodge and not before, thats was me telt then.</div>
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Back up towards the fords, snow in the air.</div>
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It seemed a long three miles from the fords of Avon to Faindouran, mostly due to the underfoot conditions, but every step was worth it, we arrived to three tents already up and a couple of hardy folk in the remaining bit of the bothy. We had the scarp up in record time, and were into our doss bags with a couple of XL tomato cup a soups within about 10 minutes of arriving. Happiness is boots aff, wrapped in a down bag with a cup a soup</div>
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Day 9</div>
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Faindouran lodge to <strike>Corndavon lodg</strike>e Renatton</div>
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<strike>13</strike> 16 miles </div>
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This early start thing is becoming a habit. Looking back to the lodge where most folk were still purring in their PJs, the slow and steady crew needed a head start though. The path had now become a LR track, not so much fun, but easier going.</div>
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We noticed quite a bit of fresh snow higher up this morning, that made us a bit smug at our decision to keep going last night and get a bit lower.</div>
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White hare in there somewhere, quite a few around the glen.</div>
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Hinds keeping an eye on the dafties in the glen.</div>
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Just before we reached the bridge, we were faced with a choice of following the road that went up and over a wee hill, we left the track and followed a wee path alongside the river, pretty easy going, until the bank become a 20/30 foot sheer (ish) cliff with a fence at the top, we weren't going back so hanging on by our teeth, fingers and remaining toenails we traversed along like real adventurers. (Probably not that dramatic really, but its my story.)<br />
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Between the bridge in Glen Avon and the junction of glens at Glen Builig we started bumping into the "cheese and wine crew", big ginger brutes, all scarred and battle hardened, we shuffled past without making eye contact as they jeered and threw tangerine segments.<br />
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The Avon is pretty impressive here</div>
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I really really like Glen Builig, i wish it was a bit longer, theres always wildlife of some variety, last year I watched as a pair of sea eagles worked the hills right above me here and through into glen Gairn, sadly they weren't about today.</div>
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The burn needs fording a couple of times while walking through, today it was easy enough, last time I passed through I got wet feet.<br />
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Loch Bulig, as bonny a loch as you'll see hereabouts.<br />
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A raft of colour as a very civilised lunch is taken, note the bergan cover, what sort of fool carries two...<br />
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All to soon we were passing through the huge deer fence out of Glen Builig and into Glen Gairn, we followed the land rover track and burn down to Corndavon Lodge, our evening stop over. It was early afternoon so we sat against the old lodge and debated our options over a bag of cashews, two tents were already up, but we decided to keep going down to the railway bridge and see how we felt once there.<br />
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The old railway bridge over the Gairn, i rekon there isn't actually a proper railway for at least 40/50 miles in any direction. Local legend is that this bridge was destined for the Aberdeen to Braemar line, until Queen Vic said "they'll be nae bloody railway passing my wee hoose". Hence the now defunct line stopped at Ballater and the buckshee bridges from the Balmoral section were sold at car boot sales to the local estates.<br />
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At the bridge a couple of fine upstanding fellows were scratching around, we presumed in the hunt for the perfect pitch, so we decided to just wander on a bit, another mile and a half as it turned out.<br />
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The two chaps were right behind us as we indicated left and turned off at Renatton, A nice pitch beside the ruin gave a bit of shelter from the wind, the other lads pitched just across the garden. A lovely sunny evening, but a biting wind and random squalls ensured another early night.<br />
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Day 10<br />
Renatton to Ballater<br />
9.5 miles<br />
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Again up early and rather surprised to see about 9 tents pitched, its a very large area so everyone had plenty of room to stretch out. The bigger surprise was the iced up tent and frost on the ground, there had been a few chilly nights, but last night had been more February than May. Looking back to the hills it was fairly obvious there had also been a decent dump of snow higher up.<br />
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A mile or so on LR track took us to the road at Braenaloin, from there it was a simple wander along the road past Gairnshiel lodge.<br />
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Second year running ive come across a car wreck in the back of beyond, this one looked very recent, looks like we weren't the only ones surprised by the frost this morning<br />
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Just after Stranlea we left the road and crossed the burn on the footbridge, <br />
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Away from the road, the going became very pleasant again</div>
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a steady climb along tracks and paths through inverenzie saw us top out at Lary<br />
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where we joined a quiet wee road that would take us all the way down to Ballater.<br />
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A mile or so down the road we came across the only traffic we encountered.<br />
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No passing places but he/she? kindly moved over to allow us past. Last seen heading north up the middle of the road.<br />
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Ballater, straight across the road and down onto the riverside path for a pleasant last mile into the square.<br />
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It was a very early arrival, but the barrel was open so we popped in for a swift livener and a bag of crisps, friendly bunch in there who made us feel very welcome (does sarcasim work in print?) Changed days, it was once "the" bar in Ballater.<br />
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After the fastest relaxed pint ever we headed round to the Alexandra. Different class, a fantastic lunch, very friendly service and loads of good company as challengers started coming in, We disappeared after a couple of hours to check in to our digs, the Deeside inn, more on that later.<br />
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After a laundry and shower we headed back to the Alex for a grand supper, again in fine company, the place was wall to wall challenge legends, all enjoying the atmosphere and local fruit juices.<br />
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<a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/tgo-challenge-2015-social-bit-in-middle.html" target="_blank">CLICK TO RETURN TO DAY 6 & 7</a> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8627649443960485191#editor/target=post;postID=5777564118702538662;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=0;src=postname" target="_blank">Click for Day 11 & 12</a><br />
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Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-53859629713887276722015-08-20T23:48:00.000+01:002015-10-22T01:37:02.855+01:00TGO CHALLENGE 2015 THE SOCIAL BIT IN THE MIDDLE DAY 6 & 7<div style="text-align: center;">
We woke up fine and refreshed in Dalwhinnie bunkhouse on day 6 and it wasnt even raining, thats just wrong.</div>
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Yesterday had been a bit of a ball buster and that combined with a big tasty meal, a couple of drinks and a toasty room had knocked us out about 3 seconds after finishing doing our dhobi and hanging stuff up.</div>
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First thing to fix this morning was Susans blisters, which seemed to have feet growing out of them, needles, tape and compeed soon patched her up as good as it was going to be, next on the agenda was a full Scottish, food of the Gods and hikers, it didn't disappoint, I really can't recommend the bunkhouse any more, fantastic hospitality and probably saved Susans (and mine) challenge.<br />
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Day 6 Dalwhinnie to Inveruglass 17 miles</div>
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Agh, the old squad average technique, "I think we're here ish" fellow challengers preparing for battle, while leaving a bacon softie unattended, sacrilege...</div>
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Bit of an unusual route for us compaired to most passing through Dalwhinnie I suspect, we were now about to head north again instead of the more traditional east. We were bound for Aviemore to meet our daughter who was driving up from Aberdeen, bearing gifts hopefully (haribo cola bottles and compeed).</div>
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The initial plan had been to wander up to Loch Cuaich and then cross country it to Glen Tromie, but being a compassionate kind of guy I reset the satnav for the easier option, via the falls of Truim, then across the A9 to follow Wades (spits loudly) road to Ruthven, hopefully getting a bivi spot somewhere about Loch na Failean.<br />
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We left Dalwhinnie and dawdled along on the back (wades) road to the falls, it was very quiet and easy going, although a bit strange not being clad in goretex. No rush and no real milage requirements today, just wander along until we get hungry or tired.<br />
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It didn't seem too long until we came to the A9 crossing point, even that frightning prospect was fairly uneventful and previous visions of finishing the challenge as a HGV bumper ornament were thankfully unfulfilled <br />
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Wades road was a bit of a revelation, it started with a few miles through birch, grassland and heather, very pleasant walking and an abundance of wildlife, and then you burst out onto the vast grouse moors to the east of Kingussie.<br />
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A Roe sleeping just off the path didn't notice our approach, until I got a bit cocky<br />
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Just about to break out onto the grouse moor<br />
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Monument in remembrance for one of the estate head keepers.<br />
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Look no jacket, as an added bonus the day just continued to get warmer.<br />
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Huge sky, angry hair</div>
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Nearing the end, you have to keep your navigation wits about you, as there's a multitude of tracks crisscrossing here abouts.<br />
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A novel idea, I think its known as a bridge, it'll never catch on. Thon Wade fella must have been adverse to wet feet to...<br />
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After coming off Wades road, we had another A9 dash and then another 500 meters later, the second crossing was via a handy underpass and came out near Ruthven Bks.<br />
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We took a 20 minute break at the barracks, sitting on a handy bench in the sun, allowing the feet some fresh air, so far it had been a cracking day and we only had about two miles to go to the spot i hoped to call home for the night.<br />
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We started walking again and soon came across the Badenoch way, I hadn't planned to use it (but then I hadn't planned to come this way at all tbh), but it seemed like a good idea, and so we started to follow it. Soon enough I told Suz that we were at our rough area of exploitation for the day, but she insisted she was feeling good and we were plodding along just fine so lets keep on going.<br />
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The Badenoch Way came back to the road at Tromie bridge, I remember being here years ago, sitting on the bridge and watching salmon after salmon louping around in the river below, sadly today there was no sign of the fish<br />
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We kept to the "way", soon passing through Drumguish, after the village we decided to call it a day and bivi up, a wee bit of a chill in the air now and hunger decreed it was time to put up the hoose for the evening.<br />
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Unfortunately there were no suitable spots at all and very little running water anywhere. It wasn't until we passed Inveruglass that a decent patch appeared just off the track in the middle of nowhere. Tent up, water collected and scoff scoffed we settled down to the nightly blister fixing sesh, just as an irate farmer appeared to let us know we "were on private land", I was nice, we stayed...<br />
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Day 7 Inveruglass to Aviemore 10 miles<br />
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Up, packed and away before 0700, a wee bit of a chilly breeze to ensure we were awake.<br />
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Walking down the Badenoch way towards the back of Inch<br />
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Another early riser<br />
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We crossed the Spey at Kincraig, it was still earlyish and we weren't having the best of mornings tbh, we were both pretty tired and we had only walked four odd miles at a painfully slow pace.<br />
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Our lethargy disapeared when we spotted the coffee sign outside the post office, mind you every tradesman within the highlands seemed to be going in and out for their morning snack.<br />
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We went in and got some bits and pieces of morale (mars, coke, coffee), as we got to the counter we noticed the "hot snack" thing, only 2 sausage rolls and a scabby dried out pasty thing left though. An 8 foot highland joiner had just snaffled one, his two 9 foot mates were just about to fight over the last one when an unamed hungry female hiker used her feminine guile to have it bagged and payed for before they realised they were now left arguing over a minging pasty.<br />
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15 minutes sitting on the bench outside with a brew and half a sausage roll each soon brought life back into our weary bodies.<br />
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Back on the Badenoch way, from Kincraig, the first few miles were on a very new looking path, lots of little short sharp hills, but the day was really nice now and the scenery was fantastic.<br />
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Around about wester Speybank the path, signed route and map all went to pot, signs pointed one way, obvious path went another and the map wasnt sure, we were on one side of the railway, on a good track while a new path ran on the other side, a bit confused but not overly concerned tbh. We eventually came out in the middle of a holiday park, we did the "pretend we belong here" routine and walked straight through and out the front entrance, nice looking site mind, but bloody huge.<br />
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A sharp right took us over the railway and back onto the way again, it seemed to be under construction, turns out it was, and it wasn't even open yet, can we claim a first?<br />
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Whoo hoo, suns out and its Aviemore for lunch, straight to the Roos leap for a monster burger and guinness, then across the road to book into the Cairngorm, a good choice, good room, good food and great service.<br />
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We'd made it to the middle ish bit, a lot of hard work but that just made the satisfaction meter rise considerably, 3 days back we were nearly a day behind schedule and flagging badly. Now we were half a day ahead and it was boots off, bergan off and recharge for a few hours (after fixing suz's blisters and doing a washing).<br />
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We had a right fine meal in the Cairngorm which was very busy with tourists, locals and challengers all enjoying the evening. We were really bad and stayed up to 2230.<br />
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<a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/tgo-challenge-2015-second-few-days.html" target="_blank">CLICK TO RETURN TO DAY 3, 4 & 5</a> <a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/tgo-challenge-2015-its-all-downhill.html" target="_blank">CLICK FOR DAYS 8, 9 & 10</a></div>
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Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-38351551022223252232015-08-11T01:56:00.000+01:002015-10-22T01:02:10.299+01:00TGO CHALLENGE 2015 THE SECOND FEW DAYS (DAY 3, 4 & 5)<div style="text-align: center;">
After two nice days the weather had changed big style, it had rained all night and was teaming down as we set off, some of the showers were pure monsoonesq. <br />
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Day 3s plan was simple in principle, a wander along to Kinlochleven, have a late breakfast, climb up to the Blackwater Dam and head around to loch Treig for the night, simple...</div>
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Day 3 Caolasnacon to <strike>Loch Treig, 15/16 odd miles</strike> Blackwater dam about 10 miles eventually...</div>
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Walking along the road to Kinlochleven the aforementioned monsoonesq rain was hammering down, its a fairly easy if not ideal wander along the road, which was a lot busier than I expected for an early Sunday morning</div>
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Obviously rain doesn't stop play on the Kinlochleven bowling green, natty white waterproofs were de rigueur mind, nutters.</div>
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A Cracking bench just as you enter the village</div>
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A quick stop in the spar replenished the essential supplies, then it was onto more pressing matters with Breakfast being next on the agenda, the Ice Factory duly provided, coffee, bacon rolls and 45 minutes out of the rain which boosted the morale o meter, Susan even managed to get a new pair of socks in the well stocked shop.</div>
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All good things must end though and off we went. On the 500 meters or so that we had to walk on the WHW, we must have passed 15/20 hikers going the other way, it confirmed my desire to never set foot on the full WHW route, it was like being on the M25.</div>
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There is a roe deers erse in there somewhere?</div>
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One of those nasty, nasty stoney paths that double as highland burns</div>
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We should have realised about now, what was to come later, this normal "step across" burn was a raging torrent, we used the trees to clamber across, which was handy, you might be able to make out the Red deer hind thats jammed under the logs, it was absolutely reekin.</div>
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And now a highland burn that sometimes doubles as a path, I think</div>
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What? Me? Where? When? "Oh the top, thank @#$#"</div>
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We stopped at the dam for a snack, big mistake in hindsight. 500 meters further on from the dam we hit a wee snag, we had seen a couple ahead of us crossing the dam and could see them disappearing into the distance in front of us, if we had kept going we might have crossed the burn as well, maybe not, the pictures don't do it justice, it was pretty mental.<br />
Suz really wasnt happy about attempting it and I was pretty wary, I gave it a go, got halfway and utterly soaked, after walking up and down for 30 odd minutes we made the decision to go back to the dam, believing in my heart that it was all over, we were scunnered.</div>
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Its a lot wider than the picture suggests, unfortunately. </div>
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We tramped back to the dam, found the only bit of tent sized dry ground and pitched for the night, I thought we would probably be heading back down to Kinlochleven in the morning, so i wasn't really a bundle of joy.</div>
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Day 4 Blackwater Dam to as far as possible</div>
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We woke early (probably due to being in bed before the 6 o'clock news) and the rain was now an intermittent drizzle, the inflow to the dam had just about dried up, where as last night it was like the river Dee. Highland burns can go up and down quicker than a W#$#@e knickers, so a wee bit of faint hope appeared as we got a brew on and put the dhobi out to dry...<br />
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The same burn the day after, happy days, didn't even get wet feet crossing, what a difference 12 odd hours make.<br />
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And another burn, turns out there's a fair few of them on this route<br />
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And another, the rain had been back on for a couple of hours and they were all rising pretty rapidly again, nothing so far to compare to last night though.<br />
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two years on the trot, these bastards have ripped up the path I've been following, it's hard enough going as it was, without the added churned up ground<br />
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A wee break in the weather after Loch Chiarain, nearly even a hood down moment, maybe tomorrow.<br />
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A few more rivers, one rather challenging and we finally arrived at Loch Treig, just as the rain came back on with a vengeance, just as well really, dry is weak....<br />
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The (very loose) plan was to try and go as far as possible today and hopefully make up a bit of time that we had lost yesterday, Loch Treig was meant to be last nights bivi spot, at this stage we were 3/4s of a day behind, in the long run no big deal, but we had accommodation booked in Dalwhinnie tomorrow night. The perils of pre booking i suppose.<br />
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Time was wasted discussing the strange looking blue thing<br />
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It was a bit of a tired slog from Treig to Ossian and we decided to just find a decent pitch somewhere along side the loch and call it a day, we checked a few out as we walked, but a lot of the decent ones were saturated, eventually we found a cracking one, further on than hoped, but such is life, we had probably regained a few miles, although tomorrow would still be a decent length.<br />
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The decent pitch at the NE end of Ossian, during the last two days we had seen loads of dead red deer, there was another two here, either side of the burn mouth. Another one further up beside the track behind us, three outside the bothy at Loch Chiarain and a couple on the track up to blackwater dam, starvation? Pneumonia? Boredom? <br />
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It had been a long hard day, only 14 odd miles, but the ground conditions and constant river crossings had ensured a day of slow progress. We should have been 10 miles further on at Culra lodge, tomorrow would be fun. Especially now that Susan had huge blisters under both big toe nails, ouch.<br />
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<br />
Day 4 Loch Ossian to Dalwhinnie 19/20 miles<br />
<br />
It was raining again. We passed the lodge and headed up into the Glen. The first mile or two today was on a new track put in specially for the new hydro scheme, handy for us, but ugly as sin. Again the rivers were running very high and I didn't have the heart to tell Suz that we would eventually need to cross the one we were following.<br />
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The path after the new dam was pretty random, sometimes there, sometimes washed away, sometimes flooded, sometimes dry, thats a lie actually, it was never dry.<br />
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Not long in and the first crossing of the day, a fine feet dry one to kick us off, the new hydro dam in the background.<br />
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Looking back down to loch Ossian, the path is still fairly well defined here<br />
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But soon enough the soggy stuff kicks in, its the first time ive been up through here, and I can imagine in the dry it must be a fantastic walk<br />
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After getting across the Uisge Labhair, a fun experience and climbing up through the peat hags we joined with the good path that goes around Ben Alder.<br />
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A wee blockage that required a 50 yard detour to get around<br />
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Playing it safe and going around rather than over.<br />
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<br />
Here, what happened to "slow and steady", Suz powering ahead, I think we had just been passed by a challenger on speed, the first person we had seen in nearly three days.<br />
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Jesus, where did the hill go, We came over the Belach Dubh and straight into the cloud, a crazy wind and a huge snow field all combined to give a very surreal effect. With no path we tried to keep high and follow some other footsteps, hoping our anonymous pathfinder had walked over the hill and not straight off it.<br />
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It worked out fine and we soon recovered the path, and came out below the cloud,<br />
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Just below the snow field we bumped into about 8 lads carrying bikes, its good to know that there are other manics out and about in the back of beyond.<br />
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A lot of snow and water over here to<br />
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Looking back to Ben Alder and the way we've just come. The path on this side is in a great condition, it seemed very well maintained, the rain going off and the very gradual decent made for an enjoyable few miles<br />
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A hood down and blue sky rest stop, thats progress. Unfortunately we had covered about 10 miles so far and were sitting beside Culra lodge, we should have been here last night, still 10 miles to go then.<br />
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After stuffing a few bags of haribo cola bottles in we were off again on the second half of the days travels. Easy going on good ground, but we were tiring by the mile, the views were 360 stunning<br />
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Arriving at Ben Alder lodge on loch Ericht felt like another milestone ticked off, just follow the loch and we would be in Dalwhinnie before you know it,<br />
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If only, in reality its a long long drag down the loch side, Suz was completely puggled and I wasnt to far behind, the lack of training, helish blisters and ground covered had taken a big toll, if I'd been suffering like that I would have phoned a taxi. Thankfully shes tougher than me and kept the slow and steady mantra going until we eventually collapsed in the door of the Dalwhinnie bunkhouse.<br />
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My what a saviour that place is, instantly getting us sorted for food (that would revive the dead), drink and our room, honestly they couldn't do enough to get us revived and squared away.<br />
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<a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/tgo-challenge-2015-first-few-days.html" target="_blank">CLICK TO RETURN TO DAY 1 & 2</a> <a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/tgo-challenge-2015-social-bit-in-middle.html" target="_blank">CLICK FOR DAYS 6 & 7</a></div>
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Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-76013934140360534422015-06-14T21:36:00.000+01:002016-05-17T01:44:10.165+01:00TGO CHALLENGE 2015 THE FIRST FEW DAYS DAY 1 & 2<div style="text-align: center;">
Oban to Stonehaven, hopefully...<br />
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I decided Oban would be the start point this year as it looked like a nice easy start to break ourselves in, Susan had never walked this far before and I haven't been to Oban in 30 odd years. The rest of the route was also planned out to be on the easy side, just as well really, our training had been very limited, in Susans case, very very limited, mainly due to work. If i was being honest, I wasn't overly confident of both of us making it. So not the ideal frame of mind and not the ideal preparation, what could possibly go wrong...<br />
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We're off</div>
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Aberdeen to Oban on the train is a bit of a trek and it was a relief to eventually arrive. The few hours spent in the Scot Rail (or whatever they're called this week) cooncil class seats between Glasgow and Oban nearly required an erse cheek rebuild. Nice scenery mind.</div>
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The guesthouse in Oban (Corriemar) was perfect and right next to the sign out point, we checked in and headed off to spend the afternoon and evening checking out the local establishments of ill repute and having a really fine pasta meal (Professional training at last) down by the harbour.<br />
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Day 1<br />
Oban to Caolasnacon (via Lismore island)<br />
13 miles</div>
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We woke to a cracking still morning, but with a crisp frost (the last of the year nae doot...) whitening the ground outside. The view at breakfast was worth the train journey, and the black pudding was worth the room price. </div>
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Not a breath of wind as we wandered down to the ferry port</div>
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The ferry coming into Oban to collect the six or so challengers that were eagerly awaiting the 40 minute trip to Lismore</div>
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Lismore was a very easy, enjoyable walk, we even bumped into and had a quick chat with Cameron McNeish and his crew, much to Susans delight.</div>
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The Calmac ferry leaving Lismore for it's return trip to Oban. </div>
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Five or six odd miles later and its time for another ferry (during rush hour), Lismore to Port Appin this time</div>
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and we were back on the mainland in time for lunch. </div>
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A couple of road miles and we crossed the fancy new bridge, well its new to me, I'm sure it was a scabby old thing when I passed here a couple of years back.</div>
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After crossing the bridge we got straight onto the old railway line/cycle path and wandered along for a few miles, eventually we made it to the Creagan Inn, just in time for supper, the food was okay, we were hungry, the beer was cold, we were thirsty, a few miles further on we reached the Glasdrum nature reserve in Glen Creran for our planned overnighter.</div>
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We ended up with a nice pitch, a decent distance up the hill, en suite, running water and a bench for breakfast, I suspect it was also a popular abode for the locals as well, we didn't find this out until the next evening when we discovered we owned a tent full of ticks, a couple of which had taken a liking to my nether regions. </div>
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Made it through day 1 without mishap, It had been a nice, very flat andeasy day to break us in.</div>
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Day 2<br />
Glasdrum to Caolasnacon<br />
14.5 miles</div>
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The day dawned looking like it was going to be a scorcher</div>
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Another couple of miles alongside Loch Creran to start the day.</div>
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A new pal</div>
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At Elleric we entered the forestry section and begun a long steady climb up hill on forresty tracks.</div>
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The views were very pleasant</div>
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It was a long climb in rather warm conditions, but a long climb deserves a long lunch, boots off and feet in the ice cold burn revitilised the old trotters.</div>
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It seems I forgot (not for the last time either) to mention that there was still a wee climb to do until we made the belach, a short, sharp, cheeky wee number it was too.</div>
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The expensive, designer water bottle had had a few refills by this stage, I think that bottle actually lasted for the whole walk, not to shabby</div>
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Going over the top the path was ok and well defined, then it either disapeared, or more likely, we lost it on the decent down into Gleann an Fhiodh, Susan had been diagnosed with a piece of bone floating in her knee about 3 weeks before the start, and really didn't enjoy the decent.</div>
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Another 5 minute chill out break at the bottom, although going by the expression, I must have just made one of my kind and compassionate comments</div>
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Ballachulish for the shinty, we were both really puggled by this stage and I had thoughts of finding somewhere near by to doss down for the night.</div>
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But an ice lolly and a tin of juice revived us enough to wander along to Glencoe village for a decent feed.</div>
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The gathering was just what the doctor ordered, good food and drink. Unfortunately the surcharge for using a bank card left a sour taste and stopped me leaving a tip, either that or I am a tight fisted Aberdonian (no comments required, thank you)</div>
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The climbing wasn't finished though, after leaving Glencoe village we cut up and along side the Pap of Glen Coe to get to Caolasnacon, in hindsight I should have gone the long way around, on the road, the path became really horrible, especially the down section at the Caolasnacon end and Suz was really suffering with her feet today and our mantra "slow and steady" was born. </div>
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The early evening views over Loch Leven were cracking though.</div>
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It was a relief finally getting off the path and arriving at the camp site, the rain came on just as we got the tent up, Susan got her boots off to find a large blister underneath her big toe nail, ouch, we drained and dressed it, although I wasn't overly confident what condition it would be in tomorrow.<br />
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Two days done, still going, Slow and Steady</div>
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<a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.com/2015/08/tgo-challenge-2015-second-few-days.html" target="_blank">CLICK FOR DAYS 3, 4 & </a>5</div>
Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-4542231946612321142015-06-11T22:28:00.000+01:002015-06-11T23:04:14.534+01:00Eating and Drinking across Scotland 2015Finished the TGO on the Tuesday, signed in at Montrose on the Wednesday, unpacked on Thursday, re-packed on Friday and drove to Brecon on Saturday, 15 bloody hours, at 50 mph (downhill in a tailwind), alone and with no working radio, for a couple of weeks hard graft with work. This is the first time ive been able to attend to the traditional post walk ramblings, Phone signals and internet coverage will get to South Wales eventually I presume. Just need to get around to doing the trip report thing now, maybe...<br />
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But this year we did our utmost to ensure every local buisness we passed had a profitable May, so I though a wee bit of blurb on the delights of the Scottish hospitality industry might be a good start point.<br />
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<b><u>Glasgow</u></b> Thursday 7th.<br />
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<b>The Counting house</b>, George Sq.<br />
Thankfully just an hour to kill between arriving from Aberdeen and departing for Oban, a swift (apart from the 5 minute wait to get served in an empty bar, i think we were a bit of an inconvenience to the bar staff tbh) guinness and a red wine that was honking and left 3/4 full. 3/10<br />
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<b><u>Oban</u></b> , Thursday 7th. <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b><u>The Corryvreckan, Oban</u></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Very friendly staff, £1.99 for a very nice pint of Orkney Brewery dragonhead</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">, im told the pimms was excellent too, it didn't last long anyway.7/10</span></span><br />
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<b><u>Piazza, Oban</u></b>.<br />
Again very nice, friendly staff, great pasta and a very fine house red, decent price too 8/10<br />
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<b><u>Corriemar guesthouse, Oban.</u></b><br />
Excellent, comfortable, friendly and next to the sign out hostel, a decent price and a large varied breakfast selection, black pudding was a winner, a good choice 7/10<br />
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<b>Day 1</b>. Friday 8th<br />
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<u><b>Creagan Inn & Restaurant, middle of nowhere</b></u><br />
Staff friendly, drink - good, food - filled a hole, maybe a tadge pricey for what it was, maybe im being harsh. 6/10<br />
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<b>Day 2</b>. Saturday 9th.<br />
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<b><u>The Gathering, Glencoe village</u></b>.<br />
We both really enjoyed our late (and large) lunch with drinks, so much so I had a fiver ready for the tip (a fiver from an Aberdonian is a big deal) then we were informed of a £2 service charge for paying by card, the fiver went back in the pocket. Service charge my arse. Food and drink 7/10. service charge 0/10<br />
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<b>Day 3</b>. Sunday 10th<br />
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<b><u>The Tailrace Inn, Kinlochleven</u></b>. <br />
Really hammering down with rain, so we decided the huge "open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner" banner was calling us, except it wasnt actually open for anything, another sign spotted on the bar door said "open at 12", well it was 10 past 12 and it stil wasn't open, so back on with the bergans, just as some lights came on, too late, they had they're chance. 0/10<br />
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<b><u>The Ice Factor, Kinlochleven</u></b>.<br />
Just a short wander along the road to a very nice cafe inside the climbing centre, two huge, afy afy tasty bacon rolls and a lovely big cup of coffee was just what was required before the climb up to blackwater dam. Friendly staff and an outdoor shop to buy some more gear you dont really need if required. 7/10.<br />
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<b>Day 5. </b>Tuesday 12th<br />
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<b><u>Dalwhinnie bunkhouse. Dalwhinnie.</u></b><br />
Due to losing 3/4 of a day (day 3) after being unable to cross a river near the blackwater dam, we had to do catchup and pushed long and hard to make dalwhinnie from Ossian on day 5, eventually crawling in the door of the bunkhouse at 1900hrs, cold, wet, blistered and exhausted to a fantastic reception, heat, beer and good wholesome food, plus a warm bed and hot shower. Breakfast the next morning kept us going all day. Little extras like paper for boots, resupply parcels in rooms and offering to do a laundry make this place the star of the crossing. 10/10<br />
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<b>Day 7 </b>Thursday 14th<br />
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<b><u>Kincraig post office. Kincraig</u></b>.<br />
One of those, really really tired mornings, we hadn't had a breakfast and after walking for a couple of hours we were both really quite puggled and it was only 0900ish. The PO loomed ahead and the coffee sign drew us in, who knew a post office could raise morale so, the hot counter had two sausage rolls left, with two smelly hikers and three smelly builders all drooling, a great piece of feminine guile ensured one was snaffled for the smelly hikers to share while sitting on the bench outside with a nice cup of coffee. 8/10 (6/10 if the builders had been quicker on the sausage roll snatch)<br />
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<b><u>Roo's Leap, Aviemore</u></b><br />
First stop as it was too early to check in across the road, guiness was good, food (fancy burger) was big and tasty, staff excellent, not to bad price wise considering the location. 7.5/10<br />
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<b><u>The Cairngorm, Aviemore</u></b><br />
Nice bar, huge room (biggest bed in the world), very friendly staff, no airs and graces, free wifi, fine evening meal and a big tasty breakfast. Very happy with the stay 8/10<br />
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<b>Day 10</b>,<b> </b>Sunday 17th<br />
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<b><u>The Barrel, Ballater</u></b>.<br />
Arrived in town early and it seemed the only place open, If you've ever seen the American werewolf in London film, the opening scenes must have been filmed in here, swiftly drank our drinks and headed to the alexandra. 2/10 (gains 2 for being open).<br />
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<b><u>The Alexandra, Ballater</u></b>. <br />
Excellent lunch (we even returned for an excellent supper), fantastic staff and a really good vibe about the place, wish we had booked a room (see next review) 9/10<br />
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<b><u>The Deeside inn, Ballater</u></b>.<br />
Not really impresed, staff ok, room ok, breakfast not what was ordered, no coffee refill, very very slow, I nearly walked out it was that long in arriving and a surchage for using a card to pay over 100 pound bill, ridiculous, not recommended I'm afraid. 4/10<br />
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<b>Day11, </b>Monday 18th.<br />
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<b><u>Lord Kinord Hotel, Dinnet.</u></b><br />
We will be eternally grateful to the three lads that tipped us the wink that Dinnet was the place for scones (scottish pronunciation pleeeaase), we would have wandered by otherwise. Just as the rain came on we arrived, uber friendy, very comfortable sitting room, and scones, cream and jam to die for. Ive driven past the hotel hunners of times, I'll never pass again without stopping. 9/10<br />
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<b><u>The Boat, Aboyne.</u></b><br />
Friends have mentioned it before but we had never been, the weather was shit and it was lunch time, the guiness, soup and crayfish sandwiches were just the morale booster required. Very nice bar/restaurant and again as with most places on the crossing the service was excellent. 8/10<br />
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<b>Day 12, </b>Tuesday 19th.<br />
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<b><u>The Ship Inn, Stonehaven</u></b>.<br />
After another 20 plus mile day, a pint or two of Guinness at journeys end seemed a fair reward before our lift home (with a fine Aberdeen Chinese carry oot in hand) appeared, . No complaints 7/10<br />
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It seems I lost some weight this year, unlike last, hard to believe really. Is it possible to cross while passing a pub/restaurant everyday?<br />
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<br />Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-79880796403929588262015-05-07T08:50:00.001+01:002015-05-07T08:50:45.666+01:00TGO Challenge D - 1<p dir="ltr">Important stuff done Mr Salmond got the big X for Gordon, Greggs supplied a fine bacon roll and some supplies for the train and were off, passing through portlethen on route to Oban via Glasgow.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Glorious day in Aberdeenshire, but a bit bloomin nippy in at 0600, glad I wasn't in a tent...</p>
<p dir="ltr">Is it to early for a fine pinotage</p>
Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-79877094340781388762015-05-02T21:13:00.000+01:002015-05-02T21:13:42.138+01:00Thig ar làNearly time for another wee wander, not nearly done the same amount of build up training this year, although I did manage a couple of weeks <strike>working</strike> walking and drinking around Capel Curig last week, bloody expensive down there like.<br />
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Planning seems to be on schedule<br />
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<u><b>Sorted ish</b></u><br />
Kit packed - check<br />
Food sorted - check<br />
Train tickets found - check<br />
Sweeties purchased - check<br />
Burst container of mosi rep cleaned up - check<br />
Really Sore knee - check<br />
Man flu - check<br />
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<u><b>Still to do</b></u><br />
Resupply parcel - send monday<br />
Find Sunglasses - why bother, its chankin.<br />
Vote Wee Eck - 0700 thursday<br />
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Then head off to Oban, unfortunately via bloody Glasgow, hopefully this weather warms up a bit too...Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-53228906453679755602015-01-16T19:06:00.000+00:002015-01-16T19:06:47.018+00:00TGO CHALLENGE 2015 DAY 11 TO 13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Day 11</div>
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Big breakfast and then a bit of up and down, woods and heather, strangely considering whats been before, probably the most lumpy up, down and repeat days</div>
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Day 12</div>
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Not a day to really look forward to, but hopefully there's still scope for a civilized liquid lunch, I might cheat and take a wee drive by to see what's still open and whats been turned into posh houses. Hopefully room at the bivi spot or we'll have to push on a wee bit.</div>
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Day 13</div>
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Last day, a very familiar relaxed wander, station bar in stoney, deepfried mars bar supper and a lift home for a bath</div>
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Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-15422120780675916052015-01-14T17:11:00.001+00:002015-01-14T17:11:33.792+00:00Simple Really<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And more entertaining than "a bit of stuff" waving her hands about.</div>
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<br />Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-25814329346978537422015-01-12T18:45:00.001+00:002015-01-15T19:00:30.906+00:00TGO CHALLENGE 2015 DAY 8 TO 10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Day 8</div>
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Clean pants, a longish day and hopefully reasonably fresh, scope for brunch before heading back into the ulu after Loch Morlich, I learnt how to do an eskimo roll here 28 years ago, It was a bit chilly tbh. </div>
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Day 9<br />
Familiar ground for me, new ground for the boss, last year I watched a pair of sea eagles in here for about half an hour, would love to see them again. Fantastic walking and should be a grand walk, especially with the lovely day thats been forecast</div>
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Day 10<br />
Downhill to Ballater, reasonably easy, pleasant walking so there should be a skip to our step, probably stripped down to shorts, vest and knotted hankies, with liberal quantities of sunscreen splashed all over. Another hotel night with an evening in the barrel.</div>
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Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-45958892051172714112015-01-11T12:04:00.000+00:002015-01-11T12:28:17.793+00:00TGO CHALLENGE 2015 DAY 4 TO 7<br />
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Day 4 </div>
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familiar ground for the first couple of miles, hopefully the new hydro workings are done/hidden at both ends of todays route, the track from Trieg to Ossian was a bit horrible underfoot last year.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8H5-QRXkSr_69a0n7iixAo1TC9_wFb7W1wnYDn-pcXBuT9L3pLGUpxp1kks2OKwJDmEwU7BcBEF-gtK8QnsVhvOYQxW96JboxEtaIZk8rH8w7ttN6cnJ66QOKyksdK1EHoLQR5b9vvA4/s1600/Screenshot_2014-12-14-11-55-49.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8H5-QRXkSr_69a0n7iixAo1TC9_wFb7W1wnYDn-pcXBuT9L3pLGUpxp1kks2OKwJDmEwU7BcBEF-gtK8QnsVhvOYQxW96JboxEtaIZk8rH8w7ttN6cnJ66QOKyksdK1EHoLQR5b9vvA4/s1600/Screenshot_2014-12-14-11-55-49.png" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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Day 5</div>
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Word on the street, not the most exciting lochside walk. Anyway, halfway, well the A9 Not really looking forward to accommodating here, might push on or stop short. Although a fat boys fry up would be fine.</div>
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Day 6<br />
Another day covering new ground, looking forward to it, heading north for a couple of days, a night on the lash and a bit of jigging in Aviemore as a reward though.</div>
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Day 7<br />
Hopefully a very pleasant wander through the woods in glorious sunshine, appearing fine and early in Aviemore for fine food and wine, maybe even a shower and clean pants (only if required)<br />
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Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-24485563861743744292015-01-09T21:07:00.001+00:002015-01-09T21:07:25.135+00:00TGO CHALLENGE 2015 DAY 1 TO 3<div style="text-align: center;">
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Day 1</div>
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Same method of entry as last year, different start point, but a wee boat trip to start the wander sounds like fun.</div>
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Day 2<br />
Scope for a bar lunch or two, very civilised start this year.</div>
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Day 3,<br />
And it's off into the ulu. Really looking forward to today, new ground for me.<br />
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Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627649443960485191.post-23879569535877514592015-01-04T23:35:00.000+00:002015-01-04T23:35:22.100+00:00The First Jaunt of 2015 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRd8aq67XACeeisPpfshGDooB4v6oQKySy0KFQLmT-uVCRreK2RpRkByrJut-7tHcHzZQsAWtKZGONpSCd8AKLjtkegmehLfVBOhyphenhyphenxQNHx_VYoSABCEDcLR5Ha1x2iCOo4XAW_f6m0YY/s1600/Screenshot_2015-01-04-20-08-33.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRd8aq67XACeeisPpfshGDooB4v6oQKySy0KFQLmT-uVCRreK2RpRkByrJut-7tHcHzZQsAWtKZGONpSCd8AKLjtkegmehLfVBOhyphenhyphenxQNHx_VYoSABCEDcLR5Ha1x2iCOo4XAW_f6m0YY/s1600/Screenshot_2015-01-04-20-08-33.png" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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About five and a half miles with a wee bit of uphill. </div>
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More of a cobweb remover than a serious TGO build up, but I suppose everything has to start somewhere, shockingly i think its the first walk (well sober one anyway) since i did the <a href="http://mctoogletheterrible.blogspot.co.uk/p/i-managed-to-square-away-week-off-in.html?m=0" target="_blank">Speyside way</a> in August.</div>
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The forestry commission car park at Bennachie was packed full when we turned up, i have never seen it as full, admittedly we had spent the morning scuttering about and it was nearly 1 o'clock. For some reason there seemed to be quite a few serious walkers about, going by the dress and equipment on show anyway, maybe the fine but short day had enticed a few out for a short post xmas jaunt, rather than driving further into the Cairngorms. </blockquote>
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Bennachie forest and mithers tap are only about 20/30 minutes drive from Aberdeen so attracts loads of families, bikers, dog walkers runners and hikers, there's miles and miles of well managed tracks and paths that suit all shapes, sizes and abilities, we head there quite often and i did quite a bit of training around here last year, if you can get up during the week its usually very quiet. </blockquote>
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The car park is also the start of the <a href="http://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Gordon+Way" target="_blank">Gordon Way</a>, a route I keep meaning to knock off the list, but have just never got around to, I think I might just try and fit it into this years training regime. </blockquote>
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We soon chucked on our remarkably light bags and headed off on the trade route, we probably had less than 1/2 a mile to mingle with the <strike>un </strike>washed, who were it seems all heading up the popular mithers tap route, we prefer the quiet routes so when the majority were heading right, we turned left and continued along the Gordon Way for a mile or so.</div>
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The Gordon Way was gye skitie, it was a cracking crisp afternoon around the 1 or 2 degree mark, but the wind was probably pushing it well below 0 and the ground was sheet ice in places. The patches that had been in direct sunlight were the worst, as the snow, frost had melted and re frozen with the wind.</div>
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Looking back down the Gordon Way.</div>
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Mithers Tap from the Gordon Way path.</div>
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After leaving the Gordon Way, we started on the accent of Millstone hill, we could see heaps of folk on top of Mithers Tap but we hadn't seen anyone on our side of the glen for about half an hour, we wouldn't see anyone for the next hour or so, it pays to stay away from the popular routes.</div>
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For not having been out for a long time I was quite chuffed to discover that I was finding the whole thing rather easy, its fair to say some food and alcohol had been imbued over the last month or two and maybe a pound or two extra had sneaked its way onto my normal adonis like frame...</div>
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Team Mactoogle leader powering ahead as the snow comes on! She wont find it so easy after I've stolen her insoles, we'll see whose boss then. </div>
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Nice blue sky over mithers tap and beyond, snow on this side, pleasant snow though...</div>
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Between the two millstone hill tops, the wind up here was pretty biting, we didn't hang around any longer than it took for us to open a fruit sweetie each, it was a case of straight over and down the other side, as soon as we got over we were out of the wind again thankfully. </div>
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The route down, the initial 150 meters down from the top is pretty steep, not usually a drama but today is was still pretty steep but with the fun addition of sheet ice, walking poles were a huge help as we slowly negotiated the slope, often leaving the path to decend via the heather. It eventually leveled out quite considerably, although this side of the hill required a bit more care underfoot. </div>
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Off the hill and back into the woods with lovely underfoot conditions. </div>
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Only just over a mile from the car park and another layer was required as it was getting decidedly chilly, in the sun it was fine enough, but in the shade the wind was chanking.</div>
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Overall an enjoyable day out, a short brisk walk which was probably just right after the lay off and xmas excesses. </div>
Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15716596669759728979noreply@blogger.com0