Yesterday evening by the river was quite calm but the rain and wind really got up in the early hours of this morning. So much so that, at 4.30am, I was out repitching the tarp into it's wild weather mode.
Today was easy walking. Just 20.5km and all road walking but enjoyable nonetheless. Our route all day followed the River Spey, sometimes close, sometimes not. There was barely any traffic. We stopped at Laggan Stores and then in for a lunchtime pint at the Monadhliath Hotel. All of our walking was in the Spey valley so we had really good views. We arrived around 4pm at the Invernahavon Caravan Club site so another chance of a hot shower. We haven't seen any other Challengers since this morning and there aren't any on the site so far. Maybe they're being more adventurous.
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Wednesday, 18 May 2011
TGO Challenge - Day 5 Tuesday 17 May
No sign of rain this morning. We stowed away our first resupply parcels and bought more food and other essentials from McVeans supermarket in Fort Augustus. It was only when I found they didn't sell gas that I discovered the Londis attached to the garage. It sells gas and meths and is much better stocked.
We left Fort Augustus by the lane past the burial ground opposite the golf course and followed signs for the Corrieyairack Pass. It was a long but gradual ascent of about 11km, all along a rough track but with good views all the way. It rained a bit and got quite blustery as we neared the summit.
Then it was a long descent of about another 11km down the other side to our wild camp by the River Spey at Garva Bridge. There are about fifteen Challengers camped here. It's now raining and seems set for the night.
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We left Fort Augustus by the lane past the burial ground opposite the golf course and followed signs for the Corrieyairack Pass. It was a long but gradual ascent of about 11km, all along a rough track but with good views all the way. It rained a bit and got quite blustery as we neared the summit.
Then it was a long descent of about another 11km down the other side to our wild camp by the River Spey at Garva Bridge. There are about fifteen Challengers camped here. It's now raining and seems set for the night.
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Monday, 16 May 2011
TGO Challenge - Day 4 Monday 16 May
Today was a day of patchy light rain until about 4.30 when it cleared up. There's not a lot to be said about the walk into Invergarry. It was about 9.5km along a forest road although most of the forest had been felled. The last 2km or so into what there is of the village was on a riverside path which was very pleasant.
In the village we came across Bob and Rose of Backpackinglight going in the opposite direction. We called in for a pint at the Invergarry Hotel. At this point, I mentioned a tearoom by the Caledonian Canal at Bridge of Oich which I'd visited on my LEJOG in 2009. Therefore, we changed our route to make that easier, going along the path just above and parallel to the road and, thankfully, the Bridge Tea Garden was still there and open.
Suitably refreshed, we decided against the five mile walk along the canal towpath to Fort Augustus and, instead, crossed the swing bridge to take a track the other side of the canal and river. After 2.5km, we located where a bridge should have been to cross the Invervigar Burn at GR 336056 but it appeared to have gone some time ago and was impassable. It was all very overgrown around it and no sign of a path the other side. After much hunting around for another bridge and alternative ways round, we decided to go back to Bridge of Oich and bash the five miles into Fort Augustus. So, a long day. We finished walking at 7.15 but we're on a good site and have had our first shower since leaving home.
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In the village we came across Bob and Rose of Backpackinglight going in the opposite direction. We called in for a pint at the Invergarry Hotel. At this point, I mentioned a tearoom by the Caledonian Canal at Bridge of Oich which I'd visited on my LEJOG in 2009. Therefore, we changed our route to make that easier, going along the path just above and parallel to the road and, thankfully, the Bridge Tea Garden was still there and open.
Suitably refreshed, we decided against the five mile walk along the canal towpath to Fort Augustus and, instead, crossed the swing bridge to take a track the other side of the canal and river. After 2.5km, we located where a bridge should have been to cross the Invervigar Burn at GR 336056 but it appeared to have gone some time ago and was impassable. It was all very overgrown around it and no sign of a path the other side. After much hunting around for another bridge and alternative ways round, we decided to go back to Bridge of Oich and bash the five miles into Fort Augustus. So, a long day. We finished walking at 7.15 but we're on a good site and have had our first shower since leaving home.
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Sunday, 15 May 2011
TGO Challenge - Day 3 Sunday 15 May
We woke in the bothy to driving wind and rain. The first challenge of the day was to cross the River Kingie. It was perhaps 30 feet across. Ian went first. He's over six feet and the water came just above his knee level. Not wishing to get unduly wet, my trousers came off. There was a video camera running. They shouldn't allow this sort of thing on Youtube!
After that, it was a wet yomp up to meet a track which we followed for 3km to the forest of Glen Kingie. The path for the first 3km was wet underfoot in places and muddy but easy to follow. We then joined a better track east for 6.5km to a new bridge at GR129000, then taking an indistinct path NE back down towards the river - very wet underfoot and at first we thought it was going nowhere but after a few hundred yards a path appeared at the point where there were the remains of an old footbridge.
We emerged from woodland on to a wide area of marsh and bog with the River Garry beyond. The path here was non-existent but was on the map. We followed it for 3.5km to Garrygualach. It was all as wet as could be but the rain, which came and went, was light.
On then to Greenfield, consisting of about four houses. I'd intended that we'd camp here but there was nothing. About 2.5km further, in the forest, we (the three of us, as Ian is still with us) came across a wooden hut. Two other Challengers, Jane and Terry, were in occupation. We are camped behind. It's a bit rough but quite acceptable and very peaceful. I've been to a party at the hut! We were joined by Nicole (German but resident in Inverness). We feasted on olives and single malt.
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After that, it was a wet yomp up to meet a track which we followed for 3km to the forest of Glen Kingie. The path for the first 3km was wet underfoot in places and muddy but easy to follow. We then joined a better track east for 6.5km to a new bridge at GR129000, then taking an indistinct path NE back down towards the river - very wet underfoot and at first we thought it was going nowhere but after a few hundred yards a path appeared at the point where there were the remains of an old footbridge.
We emerged from woodland on to a wide area of marsh and bog with the River Garry beyond. The path here was non-existent but was on the map. We followed it for 3.5km to Garrygualach. It was all as wet as could be but the rain, which came and went, was light.
On then to Greenfield, consisting of about four houses. I'd intended that we'd camp here but there was nothing. About 2.5km further, in the forest, we (the three of us, as Ian is still with us) came across a wooden hut. Two other Challengers, Jane and Terry, were in occupation. We are camped behind. It's a bit rough but quite acceptable and very peaceful. I've been to a party at the hut! We were joined by Nicole (German but resident in Inverness). We feasted on olives and single malt.
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TGO Challenge - Day 2 Saturday 14 May
Our route for the first 1km was a level walk always within sight of the Finiskaig River. It then climbed quite steeply. My Goretex socks keep me dry up to six inches above ankle level. A river crossing here prompted me to take them off and wear shoes barefoot. We then climbed more, eventually reaching Lochan a' Mhaim. Around here we met with Ian from Gayle in North Yorkshire and he stayed with us for the rest of the day.
The rain set in and remained with is for much of the day. Our route took us on a good track through the forest of Glen Desserarry down to Strathan.
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| In Glendessarry |
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| Ian on his way to Kinbreack Bothy |
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| Kinbreack Bothy |
TGO Challenge - Day 1 Friday 13 May
We woke to passing showers. We were down at the harbour by 9am to secure our tickets for the ferry crossing to Inverie. It was mainly Challengers on board but also a few cyclists with their bikes. The ferry is also used for transporting supplies to the few residents and, presumably, the pub.
It was a smooth crossing, lasting 45 minutes. We called in at the Old Forge for a pint, if only to be able to say that we've been in the most remote pub on the British mainland.
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| Sean waiting to go in to help the local economy |
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| The view west just outside Inverie |
After rising a bit, we followed a track along the foot of Sgurr Coire Choinnichean, taking a track off to the right a little way past a monument up to our right. We passed a bothy (marked as a ruin on the map) and followed an easy track along Gleann Meadail which eventually started to climb up to the col at the foot of Sgurr Sgeithe. The mountain views ahead of us were impressive, looking across to Ben Aden.
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| Crossing the bridge over Inverie River |
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| Looking back to Inverie |
It was then a long zigzag descent down to Carnoch, a large ruin, possibly an old farmstead. Then over the River Carnach on a very bouncy bridge which a notice told us we crossed at our own risk.
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| Carnoch |
Once over the bridge, we had to make our way across a wet and boggy delta until we reached Sourlies Bothy at the edge of Loch Nevis. We are camped with others. All is quiet, apart from the now steady rain. Apart from the early showers, it hasn't rained today until now so it's been a good walking day. We've walked about 13km I think.
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| At Sourlies Bothy |
Friday, 13 May 2011
TGO Challenge - Thursday 12th May - Journey to Mallaig
Today started inauspiciously. Sean and I were to get up at 4.45 to leave for Northampton station at 5.30. For some reason, I set my alarm for 5.30! Oh well, I woke naturally at 4.45 and we were in good time for the train, thanks to Sean's wife, Jude.
We were in Glasgow by 10.30 and now, at 3pm, we are well up into West Highland Way country. Having suffered from a blocked ear this past week and even bought more Otex on Glasgow station, it seems to have improved due to the pressure change from the rising gradient of the line.
Now in Mallaig, ready for the 10.15 ferry crossing to Inverie in the morning. Most of the people we've seen around the village are fellow Challengers.
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We were in Glasgow by 10.30 and now, at 3pm, we are well up into West Highland Way country. Having suffered from a blocked ear this past week and even bought more Otex on Glasgow station, it seems to have improved due to the pressure change from the rising gradient of the line.
Now in Mallaig, ready for the 10.15 ferry crossing to Inverie in the morning. Most of the people we've seen around the village are fellow Challengers.
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