The bothy and the bike

[PathfinderPaul]

13 jul 2023.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

This was a big outing for two “oldies” in their seventies and we didn’t know if we could compete it
We discovered we couldn’t use the walkers car park, as it was needed for preparations for the Highland Games on the Saturday. The nice lady from the estate was very apologetic when we rang and directed us just up the road to a large lay-by overlooking the sea just up the road.
So we got the bikes of the car and loaded up all our gear, not too bad as we decided we didn’t want to carry the tent .
We enjoyed the first bit on the flat before the inevitable push up the first hill
IMG_20230713_121650_956 by Joan Howard, on Flickr
Lots of pictures of pushing the bikes, but most of the weight was on the wheels, not on our backs.
Gradually the sea began to recede, but a long way to go
IMG_20230713_121655_178 by Joan Howard, on Flickr
The track at this point was not too rough
IMG_20230713_121838_452 by Joan Howard, on Flickr
Then of course after a lunch break we got to the really long climb and the very rough bulldozed track, so a lot of hard work, pushing.

IMG_20230713_125935_919 by Joan Howard, on Flickr

IMG_20230713_132715_293 by Joan Howard, on Flickr

IMG_20230713_133844_577 by Joan Howard, on Flickr

Eventually we made the top and could see the destination in the distance of the bothy for the night
IMG_20230713_181756_940 by Joan Howard, on Flickr
We hadn’t been there more than an hour or so than a guy from Southern Ireland came in and took the picture for us.
It’s spacious, with three bedrooms as well as the living room, & little kitchen area, each with a log burner fire there IMG_20230713_181756_940 by Joan Howard, on Flickr
Also a couple of young guys who came in later, so we each had our own room. Also the luxury of a flush toilet You had to fill it from the stream.
We enjoyed the company and did manage a little sleep before heading off early to get up to the loch and the climb up the vague path but the burn.
IMG_20230714_074506_194 by Joan Howard, on Flickr
We did struggle to find the right line and managed get “on track” at the Bealach
Cloud came in so not many pics as we made for Lurg Mor.
IMG_20230714_095351_688 by Joan Howard, on Flickr
Quite a long trek to see a pile of stones
IMG_20230714_095427_376 by Joan Howard, on Flickr
However as we descended it cleared for a while So we could see our next destination

IMG_20230714_100330_879 by Joan Howard, on Flickr
So back down and then up to the narrow summit , but the drizzle and cloud had come back in and we were tiring

IMG_20230714_114557_851 by Joan Howard, on Flickr

So we didn’t hang about and we simply went back by the route we had come up as strong winds were forecast for the afternoon.
A bit better navigation going back down, but still a lot of guess work of where the path was.
Once back at the bothy we had a drink & snack and packed up for the long ride out. We found that some of the steep sections with such a rough track were too dangerous for us to ride down, so more walking downhill.

IMG_20230714_165325_107 by Joan Howard, on Flickr

As we neared the road they were still setting up for the Highland Games, and we were glad to see the car

[Ponyexpress]

I’m glad that bike ride is over