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8) I started the Way on Saturday 31st March at 3pm.I had been delayed in Glasgow so did not get to Milnagavie starting point until 3pm. Had to pay £30 at airport for taxi to Milnagavie. The walking at the start I found quite taxing as i had underestimated the weight of the pack and had overestimated my fitness.It was also very hot. All in the pack i was lugging was around 30k plus. It had been some 30 years plus since I had carried such a load and forgot i was older.
I had planned on having a small rest every two hours but ended up resting a bit every hour. The scenery was pleasent and i guess would ordinarily have been a a lovely walk. I had underestimated the hills and distance to walk carrying the pack. I was really tired by the time I got to Drumquhassle farm and pitched my tent just as it was getting dark around 8pm. I ate three tins of tuna like a man possessed then into the green maggot. It was really cold during the night. Stupid me, in my haste I had pitched the tent with the high end sloping down the hill. I slept upside down i didnt care as I was so tired. During the night I thought the werewolves had come to get me as I awoke to the sound of munching and slaverings. Turned out to be horses in the next field. At 5.30 a.m the cockerel woke me so I got up and ate then set off
I found Drumquhassle pitch good. Basic amenities for preparing food and also a toilet. I appreciated that stop and would definitely use again.
Drumquhassle to Milarochy.
Weather very hot again and the terrain was much steeper than i'd expected with little relief. I just plodded on.I had a choice of two different ways forward: the easy and the hard way. I took the hard way over Conic Hill as doing it easy is not much fun.Before conic hill you have to get up and over this bad boy.
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Climbing the hilll was like SAS selection a matter of sheer willpower taking over from my lack of fitness. Just about everyone I met was carrying a daysack, a water bottle or a camera. The athletes were running it in their spandex.I could not see any other pack mules nearby and realised that doing it the old fashioned way (carrying all my own stuff) was indeed a thing of the past. Nevertheless with one foot in front of the other I made progress. I thought i would have a heart attack there and then on that hill. Remarkably I survived and was soon down the other side and on my way. On the descent I met a couple of guys who said see you in the pub in ten minutes. They were carrying nothing it took me over an hour to get through Balmaha. Eventually arrived at Milarochy site exhausted. Pitched ate and slept. I must have looked done in as the girl at reception tried to persuade me to get my equipment delivered to my next stop. I was sorely tempted but decided to stick to my plans of carrying it all myself. Slept like the dead ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Milarochy is a well organised site with toilets and cooking facilities. I'd definitely use again.
Milarochy to Inversnaid.
Woke up after a deep sleep and strangely felt good. Walking all day by the banks of Loch Lomond: beautiful. Eventually camped for the night on the banks of the loch on a high ridge about 20 feet from the loch. Had curried noodles for my tea. Yum Yum. There was something scuttling about in the night but I did not care as I was tired again. I put on warm clothing as it was getting cold and the wind was getting up. At about 4am a gale came in and was battering away at my tent. I put on all my clothes in case my tent took off. Admirably the little wolfskin gossamer stood its ground and there was no drama.......... snaps for the tent
Inversnaid to Inverarnan
Woke to really wild rain and sleet . I did not eat as it was far toooo.... wet. Eventually ate around 11 am as the weather improved.
More noodles and hot chocolate to wash it down. he sleet and rain was on and off all day. Strangely enough I was feeling fitter. Like a second wind I was adapting to the rigours of the walk and the conditions. The terrain just past inversnaid hotel is quite taxing. The pathe itself although visible is not much of a path and you have to continually negotiate tree roots; low branches and rocky outcrops. I was continually getting my pack caught up in the greenery. I met another walker with her daughter who thought it an exciting obstacle course................. she was carrying only a bottle of water: different strokes for different folkes.
Eventually arrived at Inverarnan site. A new and developing site with wigwams and cottages for those who prefer that kind of thing.Also had a bar and shop.................whoopee! I loaded up with tins of irn bru. Ate then slept.zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......................
Inverarnan to Bridge of Orchy
Very cold last night and i slept with all my clothes on. Up early ate and then left. Feeling good. walked all day terrain not too bad.Eventually ended up in Bridge of Orchy.
I camped just over the bridge on the right . Loooks like its a wild site used frequently by walkers. No one bothers you and it suits the purpose. Up early tomorrow as I have 20 miles to cover.
Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven
Woke early around 5 am it had been very cold. Ice all over the tent. keen to get going.Did not know if id manage 20 miles in unknown terrain. I thought i'd need all the daylight possible. Weather was good at the start of the day. Steadily climbing terrain through woodland and zigy zaggy path. Not too taxing. As the day progressed the weather was constantly changing. At one point I had spring summer and winter weather in one half hour. Rannoch Moore had a strange beauty to it. Not much there just a fairly long walk in tranquility.
I liked it.
Stopped at Kinghouse hotel to get a bowl of broth.
Had soup bread and butter and a hot mug of tea. Also topped up with tins of irn bru. The climbers bar is cozy and everyone is welcome even our four legged friends.
The meal felt like a banquet and I savoured every bit of it. I had been living on noodles for the past few days and my body was looking for homely food
After my meal I set off with the afterburners on. I was good to go. Steadily climbing terrain and the Devils Staircase was a challenge but just a healthy one. Nothing to fret about and easily managed if you take it steady. Eventually got into Kinlochleven about 4 pm. The approach to Kinlochleven is never ending. You see it from a long way off and it feels closer than it is. After a never ending walk you make it in. The site is well served with hobbits and bunkhouses. i was in my wolfskin again.Nearby there are shops a chipper and more. I celebrated with a poke of chips with lots of salt and vinegar. I had been thinking about chips and fried eggs for days.
Ill take it easy tomorrow.Only twelve miles to go. Today had been good. I had covered 21 miles in around 9hours over varied terrain. I felt fit and lean................ and good to go!
Kinlochleven to FortWilliam
The last trek into Fort William still had a fair bit of steep terrain finally making my way through woodland by Nevis then into the main streets. Took longer than I thought. Eventually reached the finish point around 2pm.........................job done
Conclusion
I enjoyed it all. From my initial hard going through the bad weather and long stages I had come through it. I'd do it all again. The challenge was just what I was looking for. Im fitter and wiser.Next long trek the weight in my pack will need to be addressed. If i can cut that down and sort the food out then its happy trails..........
Follow Up
The main difficulties I faced were more or less due to the equipment I was carrying. My Vango 80 plus 20 expedition rucksack weighed in at nearly 3 kilo when empty. I was carrying 6 kilo plus in foodstuffs. My snugpak elite sleeping bag weighed in at 1.7 kilo. My gelert mat was .850g and so on. Ive already changed the vango to a golite pinnacle weighing in at around .900g and sooooo...... confortable. My snugpak has been replaced with a Mountain Equipment Dewline a mere .640g. The gelert mat by no means heavy has been replaced with a zor weighing less than 300g.......... and so on. the only original kit i'm keeping is the wolfskin gossamer tent which stood firm in the gale and my filtered water bottle that supplied me with safe drinking water in all places. The point worth emphasising is that 'organisation matters' and prior preparation and planning will have a positive effect on your circumstances. For my next long trip i'll be better prepared and good to go!
Last edited by brodiedillon303 on Fri Jun 15, 2012 7:02 pm, edited 10 times in total.
