A day in the life of Wesley

Hello all

On Sunday I met Sarah at the top car park at the Cairngoirm Ski Resort to walk to Ben MacDui and Cairngorm. Sarah was already in Aviemore for the weekend and I decided to join her. I was tired and not in the humour to deal with the wet west!! That's for another day. Guaranteed.

The day was good but the weather was mixed. It was cold for the time of year. Not surprising I suppose when you are at 4000 feet above sea level, anything can happen. That dog is mine. Her name is Suzie and she is on her 5th Munro, and here is another one of Sarah with Fern, on the summit of
Cairngorm, where we had a shower of hail greet us. Nice.

Glen Affric

Just a brief report on the informal outing to Glen Affric attended by 7 members who all stayed for one night or two at the Youth Hostel at Alltbeithe, having either cycled in from the East end of Loch Affric, or walked in from the same place, or from Glen Shiel.

The weather was quite kind for the hill walk on Tuesday and hills climbed included An Socach, Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan, Mullach na Dheiragain, and the seven Munro Tops in the area.

Unfortunately Wednesday was a bit wet ( that's a bit of an understatement) and I'm sure most got a trifle damp on the way back out to civilisation ! I bagged a couple of Tops on Mam Sodhail and was almost at Affric Lodge on the way back when I was confronted by a horrendously swollen burn which threatened to force me to walk back all the way round Loch Affric, but somehow I found a way across although it was a bit hazardous !

Note for Mike : This outing was arranged to ensure it didn't clash with any of the Club's formal walks, although I note the attendance here exceeded some of the recent walks on the programme.

Lurg Mhor etc.

A few photos to complement Ron's excellent report on the recent expedition by a few of the Club's members to Lurg Mhor , Bidein a' Choire Sheasgaich, and in my case the Munro Top of Meall Mor.

Perhaps we could have chosen a drier day !

Midges Update

Harking back to Ron's post on 18 June 2010, I have some good news!

Some of you may already have come across the new midge repellent, called Smidge. I have bought some and find it to be excellent. It has hardly any smell, is non-greasy and seems to be highly effective. It comes in a spray can and costs £6.99. Not so much a spray, more a white lotion which you spray into your hand and rub on.

Visit www.midgeforecast.co.uk for a list of stockists. Their own supply had run out until 23 July last time I checked, but it is cheaper to buy it offline anyway.

Correction to "A Wilderness Walk on the Isle of Mull"

Those who have read this in the newsletter may have noticed that at para. 13, where we approached the col, it went from "we" to "I". That was because Dougie had opted to forego the pleasure of climbing A'Chioch and Ben More (he never really was a hill-walker). Instead, he suggested that I go on alone and he would take both packs down into Glen Clachaig and pitch camp. This meant that I could climb the hills with only map, compass and water.

PS to Sgor an Lochan Uaine and Cairn Toul

A plus for this walk was the wildlife that I saw--a flock (?) (help, Wesley!) of ptarmigan, two dotterill (thanks, Ron, for helping me identify them), and one reindeer (but it definitely did not feel like christmas!).

Lurg Mhor and Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich

Seen from the south, at least, Lurg Mhor does not look like a particularly exciting hill - grassy slopes with some crags near the summit. Its fame comes from its inclusion (with Seana Braigh and A'Mhaighdean) in the list of the "most remote" Munros. Because of that it is regarded with some awe and apprehension by many hillwalkers.  The usual route starts from Craig and proceeds by the Pollan Buidhe, then over the Bealach Bhearnais, Beinn Tarsuinn, Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich to finally reach Lurg Mhor! For all but superhumans, a night out somewhere (in a tent or a bothy) is the only option. We, therefore, took notice when we heard of an alternative route from Attadale  on Loch Carron. This is a little shorter and, significantly, was rumoured to be cycle-able.

Accordingly, Cris, Norman, Ron and Roy gathered at Attadale on a dreich and miserable Saturday morning. The forecast was for the weather to clear up in the afternoon. However, the first thing which met us when we got there, was a large sign, saying the Loch Carron Highland Games, scheduled for that day, had been canceled. Hmm - not encouraging.

Anyway, we set off on our bicycles, along a good tarmac road. For those who don't know it, Attadale is  a very attractive little glen with forestry, holiday cottages and, of course, the Gardens. All very nicely done.  Of course, that did not last. The tarmac ended with the holiday cottages and the track became rougher and  much, much steeper. The climb up to the bealach has some fearsome hairpins which give an idea of what the Bealach na Ba, in Applecross, must have been like before the road engineers got their hands on it. The other side is quite different - a long and relatively gentle run down through a deserted landscape. Finally, two white buildings appear - Bendronaig Lodge. One building is locked and is kept for the Estate but the other is a very well-equipped bothy - it even has a flush toilet (though you have to fill the cistern from the nearby burn with a bucket !)

We abandoned the bicycles a few hundred metres further on at a dodgy river bridge, then walked on to Loch Calavie. From there, it was just (!) a slog up the grassy slopes to the bealach between the two munros and a left and right. For information, the area around the bealach is very confusing in mist - lots of bumps and dips etc so you have to pay attention to your compass. 

The summit of Lurg Mhor is a wide plateau with a large cairn at the far end. Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich's summit is much more spectacular being gained by a narrow rocky ridge with big drops on both sides. Don't know about the views - completely clagged in when we were there.

Then it was back to the bothy and the long cycle ride back to Attadale with a terrifying descent down the hairpins. The forecast improvement in the weather finally happened and I had a fantastic sunset in front of me for the drive back to Fort William.

If anyone else is interested, it took me just under 2 hours to drive from FW to Attadale. The cycle/walk took us around 10 hours including 2 x 1/2 hour stops in the bothy. We probably lost another hour or so due to burns which were uncrossable raging torrents and dodgy navigation on the way up. So it is still a very long day but no more. Clearly, it is possible to cycle as far as Bendronaig Lodge though you have to get off and push for a fair bit of the way. The surface is pretty rough in places (in fact, most places) - a bike with suspension would definitely be preferable.

Tired now

We are sixty kilometres into the course really shattered. Apparently this is the checkpoint where most people retire. I am certainly considering it at the moment.

Sent from my HTC Touch Diamond

Resting blistered feet

Well I finally bowed as my feet were unable to take anymore. My colleagues are still walking but not sure for how much longer. Dawn is here on another fine, clear day, that may give them a much needed boost.

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Checkpoint 2

We have just reached our second checkpoint after
20 km. We are ahead of schedule so a good point to refuel and look after our feet.

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Sgor an Lochain Uaine and Cairn Toul

There were two things that affected this walk--the weather which can make a walk wonderful and magical with awe-inspiring views, breezes to keep you cool and the midges at bay, but this was not one of those; and time. When I left Oban, I thought that the road at Barcaldine, north of Oban, was to be closed for road-works at 10pm, but on crossing Connel Bridge, an electronic sign informed me that it was to close at 9pm. One hour less to do a long and high walk. My brain tried to calculate distances and times, but I was already on my way, so I just had to go for it.
Left the car at Achlean in Glen Feshie at about 9.40am, with the weather not too bad--dry, but with low cloud and a fairly strong wind. The walk was uneventful until the crossing of the Allt Sgairnich, where I met another walker. He had camped the previous night, was heading for Monadh Mor, and was planning to camp again that night. I commented that the cloud had risen in front of me as I climbed on to the plateau, and hoped it would continue.
We separated and I passed Loch nan Cnapan with no view of the hills I was aiming for. The cloud did not continue to rise, but in fact came lower, and with it the rain and wind.
I set my compass and headed for the foot of the first hill. The going was hard, with boggy patches, and where there wern't boggy patches, it was bouldery, (and all the time, wondering if I had enough time to complete the walk). Ascending Sgor an Lochan Uaine, the boulders became bigger and more often, the rain and wind wetter and stronger. GPS came into its own, and I made it to the summit cairn. There was a slight lull in the wind, and I was able to take a look over the edge of the cliffs to try and see the lochan. Cloud and more cloud. So, another bearing and down to the col before climbing Cairn Toul. More and bigger boulders, stronger wind and rain. ( and still checking the time--not enough to stop for a break). The shelter cairn at the summit came just in time, and I had to take a short break for a drink, but no food.
Compass and map again, then out into the weather. More boulders (downhill and harder), gale-force winds and rain, and 10 metres of visibility. I was walking into the wind now, heading west. Boulders, boulders, boulders, wind, wind, wind. This was not fun. Still heading west, the cloud cleared for a moment and I could see a spectacular glen to my left that I had not seen before. Where was that? Am I on the correct bearing? Out with the map-it must be Glen Geusachan (?) The doubt lingered, but I had to carry on.
Eventually, the boulders ran out, but the wind and rain did not. Again, a break in the cloud, and I could see steep cliffs in front of me--Glen Einich? (how's the time going?) Still not able to stop for a break. Then Loch nan Cnapan, and confidence returned. Crossed the burn (no problem, even with all the rain), and on to the track. Then something rather strange. I was out of the wind for the first time in a while, and my brain became disoriented, like being drunk but without the pleasure. It did not last long, as I was straight back into the wind again.
The just ahead of me, two walkers appeared out of the mist, going the same way (two more idiots out in this weather!). But I did not have the energy to catch them up, and they turned off towards Carn Ban Mor. The wind was still battering me, the rain was off and on and the cloud was still down, but I was nearing home! The wind did not stop until I entered the forest, and was I relieved.
Back at the car, I decided that I had better head for home immediately, so put the sandwiches on the passenger seat to eat on the way.
At Duror, there was a sign "Road ahead closed", but it was too early! I carried on, but again at Appin, another sign "Road ahead closed"!
I reached Barcaldine at 8.35pm, and the road was open! Yippee!!
In retrospect, it was not too bad a walk--objective achieved (two Munros climbed), navigation worked out successfully and I completed a long, hard walk in a reasonable time--but I hope that I never have to do it again!

Swapping Highland hills for gentler southern ones

I have swapped the wet, dreich weather of the Highlands for what I had hoped would be sunnier, warmer South Coast hills this weekend. ALthough having travelled all this way the weather forecast looks fairly uncertain.

Along with three friends we are preparing to take part in the Trailwalker 2010 challenge organised by Oxfam and the Gurkhas. This big event takes place every year and attract hundreds of teams. We will be walking 100km across the South Downs from near Petersfield to Brighton in under thirty hours. It's really like coming home as this is where I first learnt to love the outdoors, exploring the South Downs as a boy.

We set off at 7am tomorrow morning, walking all through the night, aiming to stoll across the finishing line at Brighton Racecourse by Sunday lunchtime. We are backed by two supprot crews who wiill be meeting us at checkpoints along route. I hope that my time spent with the club and on my own in the mountains around Lochaber will prove useful.

I am going to try some mobile blogging over the weekend so that you can see our progress along the route accompanied by a few photographs.

Failure on the In Pin

Three weeks ago, five of us went to Skye for two days with the intention of climbing the In Pin on the first day.Two weeks previous we went to the Glasgow Climbing Centre to practise under instruction how to climb and abseil. At the end of the course we abseiled twice 70feet down the outside of the building and this gave me confidence for the trip to Skye.
On the big day we set off with our guide in good weather conditions with a forecast of sun and a light shower in the afternoon though as we were to discover later, in Skye they do not do light showers, only continous downpours.
By the time we were halve way up Sgurr Dearg the white puffy clouds were turning to grey misty clouds and getting thicker as we gained height. When we reached the summit of Sgurr Dearg it was thick cloud, then we droped down then back up to a ridge with the In Pin in front of us covered in thick cloud. We had lunch while waiting our turn to go down to the beginning of the Pin and when time came for us to get strated the cloud was even thicker and the wind had got up. The decision was made to go ahead though by the time the ropes were set up it had started to rain. I was second to go and by now the wind and rain was heavy, though I set off and to my surprise I did the first pitch to the halve way point, very steadily and only pausing at one rock slab where I could not see foot holds very clearly at first. After doing the first pitch, the real problem arose. The person at the top could not get the rope down due to the severe wind as it kept blowing over to my right. After what seemed like ages the decision was made to abandon the climb and then panic set in when I was told I would have to go back down the way I came up.
I focused myself then went back down and was pleased with how I had coped and will try to get up to Skye next month while my confidence is high.
Wednesday was a total washout as we gave up just over halve way up Sgurr nan Gillean because of the wind and rain. The lady that owned the B&B that we were staying at told us that they had not had rain for 6-8 weeks. Just our luck.
Les

Ruigh Aiteachain Bothy

My grandson, Chris, his dog Lou and I walked the six km from Aclean in Glen Feshie to the bothy on a dry but windy day. I have visited the glen before, but never the bothy. It is in what I consider to be one of the most fantastic Scottish glens I have seen. Caledonian pine forests, with plenty of space, a lovely river and trees allowed to remain where they have fallen.

On the way in, we met a walker who told us that he had come across three men who were going to the bothy. So we knew that we would have company--for the first time, as we had always had previous bothies to ourselves. Coming in sight of the bothy, we could see two, then three, four, five, no six people. Would there be room for us? It is only a small bothy, although we did not know how big or small.

On arrival. there were three men trying to light a stove outside in the wind. Apparently, they had tried it with diesel for the first time in the bothy, and filled the place with smoke and fumes. There were, in fact, eight people there. The other five were a family from Canada, Mother, father and two daughters aged about 11 and 14 years, and their cousin/guide from Scotland. And there was plenty of space for all of us. There are two rooms, one with bunk beds, that had been claimed by the Canadian five, and another with three sleeping platforms and a stove. (By the way, there is also a toilet! It's outside in a small hut, but that's better than most bothies)

Chris (and Lou) and I stayed in the second room with the three walkers, who had come in on foot from Kingussie. And the next day were planning to walk to Ryvoan bothy via Aviemore. They eventually gave up on the diesel for the stove and decided to try to get some petrol from one of the houses on the other side of the River Feshie. Unfortunately, the bridge at Carnachuin has only recently been washed away, so they had to ford the river both ways. But they were successful in obtaining petrol from the estate and also getting the stove working.

The room with the wood burning stove was the obvious place for everyone to congregate, so we did get to socialise. Rowan, the Scottish cousin, took charge of the stove, but encouraged Chris to help. He is a keen bothy visitor and walker, and had persuaded the Canadians, Ken, Catherine, Abbie and Gillian to try the "bothy experience".

The next day, Tuesday, the three men left on their 20 mile (they guessed!) walk, while the family headed for the Munro of Mullach Clach a'Bhlair with Rowan. Chris, Lou and I went to have a look at the remains of the bridge, and then followed the path up towards the Munro, but only for a short way. Back to the bothy for lunch, and then a leisurely wander up the glen. The character of the glen changes further upstream as it becomes narrower and steeper. We came across a previous landslide caused by the extremely fragile rock.

Supper was prepared and eaten, with Lou making friends with anyone who had food, and endearing herself to everyone. Chris was put in charge of the fire by Rowan and told to keep it alight all night, by putting logs on every hour!

Next morning, we awoke (to a cold fire!) and started to pack. Everyone was leaving that day. Rowan had come in by cycle and trailer, carrying an incredible amount of food and coal for the family, and of course, had to the ford the river, and would have to again on the way back.

After tidying up, we made our farewells and walked back in lovely sunshine.

Our thanks to Ken, Catherine, Abbie and Gillian, and Rowan for making our first bothy stay with company so pleasurable. And I think that the bothy experience was a success for them as well, even the two children.

Advice please

I am thinking of getting a mountain bike. I have resisted so far, but with the purchase of a motorhome, as well as those distant hills, I think it might prove useful. Investigating the difference in front and rear suspension just caused more confusion with terms such as rigid, hard tail etc...! I don't want to spend a lot, and have a friend who no longer uses her front suspension (I think) mountain bike and will sell it to me for £80. Or do I look further before I decide. Please can someone advise the best type to go for. Help, please...

Steal Bridge again

It was too wet and windy for the hills today so I went for a walk up to Steall Meadow to see what was happening with the broken wire bridge. The answer is "not a lot !"

As you can see in this picture, the wire is not actually broken. Instead, one of the two steel cables, which make up the "foot rope", has come loose from its fixing. On the face of it, it would not be difficult to re-attach it ?

The fact that it is taking so long to do anything at all, makes me suspect that the lawyers and/or H&S people have got involved.

Despite the notice on the bridge, " DANGEROUS STRUCTURE - DO NOT CROSS", it is clearly possible to cross - see this picture, taken this afternoon.

Coire Mhic Fhearchair, Torridon

I've walked through Coire Mhic Fhearchair before, on my way to Ruadh-stac Mor on Beinn Eighe but had forgotten about the tragic incident of March, 1951. It was therefore a great surprise to me on Friday on my descent from Sail Mhor to come across a great deal of wreckage still strewn around the area. A Lancaster bomber on a training mission from RAF Kinloss hit the Triple Buttress with the loss of all life, and due to the terrain it took 2 months to recover the bodies. This incident led to the formation of the RAF Mountain Rescue teams as we know them today.

I've read that afterwards the aircraft was blown up with explosives, and this is the reason for all the debris covering such a large area. Having "Googled" about aircraft accidents around that time, I'm really shocked about how many there were. Such a tragic loss of life !

Troubled by wind in Torridon !

Another "Top Bagging" exercise, but this time with a poor forecast for high winds, and so it turned out.

The main objective was Meall Dearg (Northern Pinnacles) on Liathach, described as one of the hardest Tops - that's the pointy one in the middle picture, but reached by us from Loch Coire na Caime, by rough ground and a steep ascent, the grassy parts of which were a bit greasy. This misses out the bulk of the Pinnacles, see the next photo . I'm not sure I could have got to Meall Dearg over the Pinnacles but I know many in the Club who could !

With the wind getting up we then opted to walk over to Beinn Eighe, climbing Sail Mhor from the South. By this stage the gusts were furious and so we aborted the plan to climb the Ceum Grannda (the ugly step) which would have led to the next top of Coinneach Mhor. That's it, right on top of the famous Triple Buttress above Coire Mhic Fhearchair.(Top picture)

Instead we opted for relative shelter by descending to the Coire, and a longish, very windy walk out.

Anyway, for me this means a future return to Beinn Eighe, hopefully on a less windy day ! - that's someting to look forward to.