WHW 3 DAYS BOOM + Glasgow central to Milngavie
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 6:21 pmThis is not a "How to guide" but a short description of the days and some answers to the questions I couldn't get answered before I left.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Glagow central station to Milngavie, What was I thinking? I was prepared the night before so I just had to finish work, eat dinner, pat the dog's and kiss the current Mrs De Dog good-bye. I arrived at central station about 19:30 and I was off. It got dark as I was leaving the Kelvinside and by Maryhill I had my head-torch on. I tell you something, Kelvingrove park is a scary place at night! Full of random fella's wandering about. It was particularly frightful going under the bridge's. As I left that part and headed into scrub near a horse riding place for the disabled I relaxed. What followed was overgrown brambles and multiple stumbles as I staggered to Milngavie. Probably a great walk during daylight but not recommended by torch-light.
I set up my tarp, bivvy and sleeping bag on the football pitch between the rabbits. I dad not want to start the WHW yet so I slept till four a.m. Before packing up, terrified that the groundskeeper would mow me over whilst cutting the grass.
12MILES
SATURDAY : Milngavie 04:30 and I am off. Still dark but my Alpkit Gamma head-torch really was the star product of the trip. I met two other solo adventurers who were cycling at this time. Lots of times on my route I would have done anything for a bicycle. The route was quite obvious. I walked and walked and walked. That afternoon I came up to the conic hill. Quite strenuous when you are carrying your stuff with you. I needed a lie down for ten minutes half way down the other side. I stopped at the oak tree inn about 11:30 but they were only serving breakfasts.boiled egg and toast was well received but toast was cold! Onwards and onwards, the route was up and down like a brides nighty. I found it taxing to rowardennan. My plan was to get by rowardennan but I couldn't , I was struggling 26 miles in and set my tarp/bivvy on the shore under a bank. What I learned here was to put your boots upside down at night as I tipped an inch of water out in the morning.
26MILES
SUNDAY: 05:30 I was behind schedule by 6 miles. After rowardennan it was tough, very rooty and again, up and down like a brides nighty. Lunch at Beinnghlas farm, grand. Kitchen opens at 12, I had ten minutes to wait. Then on till halfway between Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy. This was my favourite spot, that big Munro ( Dorian?) is spectacular. Bringing me to an observation. I took maybe 3 pictures the whole trip, the scenery and memories are in my head.
32 MILES
MONDAY: 01:00 I could not sleep, Thoughts of getting home to the current Mrs De Dog, every lamb looked like my wee dog, every sheep looked like my big dog. I had a family who loved me at home and missed them. 01:00 Time to break camp, thank goodness because the rain came on in half an hour and there is not much worse than breaking camp in rain. This was a hellish idea but required if I was to walk 38 blooming miles carrying a heavy back pack, I made it to BoO no worries but half way up the mountain track I was struggling. I ended up collapsing under an upturned tree and dozing for a half hour. This was a pattern every 2 hours for the next day. Walking and resting. How I made it to Kinlochleven I do not know, the devils staircase wasn't to,tough but from kin loch to fort William was torture. Mountain roads really go for me and when I hit the road,,, Fort William was still miles away. 19:30 I had missed my train so bivvied down between Brewer's Fare and McDonalds.
WHAT I LEARNED:
I had too much gear, I never used one 3in1 north face jacket or Rab body warmer. I never needed 3 spare pairs of socks or two pairs of jocks or 3 T's or a fleece jumper. I carried to many banana's and Jaffa cakes, I could have done with more batteries for GPS.I never needed roll mat but a ground sheet would be handy. A smaller in size sleep bag would be handy.
All I would take in retrospect:
IN BAG
Montane 70l pack
Low volume sleep bag
Alp kit bivvy
Tarp and pegs
Ground sheet
Hat gloves and balaclava
Toothbrush and paste
Mid-layer
Toilet roll and trowel
Shower gel
Towel
Batteries, 9aa and 9 aaa
Gps
Knife
Phone, off
WEARING
Walking trousers, tight wicking T and long sleeved craghoppers, walking boots, 2 pair walking socks
Waterproofs, walking poles
Jocks, crocodile hat.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Glagow central station to Milngavie, What was I thinking? I was prepared the night before so I just had to finish work, eat dinner, pat the dog's and kiss the current Mrs De Dog good-bye. I arrived at central station about 19:30 and I was off. It got dark as I was leaving the Kelvinside and by Maryhill I had my head-torch on. I tell you something, Kelvingrove park is a scary place at night! Full of random fella's wandering about. It was particularly frightful going under the bridge's. As I left that part and headed into scrub near a horse riding place for the disabled I relaxed. What followed was overgrown brambles and multiple stumbles as I staggered to Milngavie. Probably a great walk during daylight but not recommended by torch-light.
I set up my tarp, bivvy and sleeping bag on the football pitch between the rabbits. I dad not want to start the WHW yet so I slept till four a.m. Before packing up, terrified that the groundskeeper would mow me over whilst cutting the grass.
12MILES
SATURDAY : Milngavie 04:30 and I am off. Still dark but my Alpkit Gamma head-torch really was the star product of the trip. I met two other solo adventurers who were cycling at this time. Lots of times on my route I would have done anything for a bicycle. The route was quite obvious. I walked and walked and walked. That afternoon I came up to the conic hill. Quite strenuous when you are carrying your stuff with you. I needed a lie down for ten minutes half way down the other side. I stopped at the oak tree inn about 11:30 but they were only serving breakfasts.boiled egg and toast was well received but toast was cold! Onwards and onwards, the route was up and down like a brides nighty. I found it taxing to rowardennan. My plan was to get by rowardennan but I couldn't , I was struggling 26 miles in and set my tarp/bivvy on the shore under a bank. What I learned here was to put your boots upside down at night as I tipped an inch of water out in the morning.
26MILES
SUNDAY: 05:30 I was behind schedule by 6 miles. After rowardennan it was tough, very rooty and again, up and down like a brides nighty. Lunch at Beinnghlas farm, grand. Kitchen opens at 12, I had ten minutes to wait. Then on till halfway between Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy. This was my favourite spot, that big Munro ( Dorian?) is spectacular. Bringing me to an observation. I took maybe 3 pictures the whole trip, the scenery and memories are in my head.
32 MILES
MONDAY: 01:00 I could not sleep, Thoughts of getting home to the current Mrs De Dog, every lamb looked like my wee dog, every sheep looked like my big dog. I had a family who loved me at home and missed them. 01:00 Time to break camp, thank goodness because the rain came on in half an hour and there is not much worse than breaking camp in rain. This was a hellish idea but required if I was to walk 38 blooming miles carrying a heavy back pack, I made it to BoO no worries but half way up the mountain track I was struggling. I ended up collapsing under an upturned tree and dozing for a half hour. This was a pattern every 2 hours for the next day. Walking and resting. How I made it to Kinlochleven I do not know, the devils staircase wasn't to,tough but from kin loch to fort William was torture. Mountain roads really go for me and when I hit the road,,, Fort William was still miles away. 19:30 I had missed my train so bivvied down between Brewer's Fare and McDonalds.
WHAT I LEARNED:
I had too much gear, I never used one 3in1 north face jacket or Rab body warmer. I never needed 3 spare pairs of socks or two pairs of jocks or 3 T's or a fleece jumper. I carried to many banana's and Jaffa cakes, I could have done with more batteries for GPS.I never needed roll mat but a ground sheet would be handy. A smaller in size sleep bag would be handy.
All I would take in retrospect:
IN BAG
Montane 70l pack
Low volume sleep bag
Alp kit bivvy
Tarp and pegs
Ground sheet
Hat gloves and balaclava
Toothbrush and paste
Mid-layer
Toilet roll and trowel
Shower gel
Towel
Batteries, 9aa and 9 aaa
Gps
Knife
Phone, off
WEARING
Walking trousers, tight wicking T and long sleeved craghoppers, walking boots, 2 pair walking socks
Waterproofs, walking poles
Jocks, crocodile hat.