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Whilst winter walking back in January I twisted my knee, due to slipping and my crampons remaining fixed in the ice, the damage incurred was a medial collateral knee ligament tear. The next 4 months meant no running, gym classes, cycling or walking...gutted!!
A few weeks back I started cycling, mostly on the islands of Arran and Bute, to gain some fitness. Last week my physio gave me the green light to start hillwalking again, well if I used poles! It'll be another 4 weeks before I run and do classes though.
During this period I read many reports, which included camping, so I decided to buy a tent!! This would provide flexibility when deciding the hills I would walk, plus it looked good fun...I think!
So with me new Zephyros 2 tent, along with other camping gear, I drove to Loch Quoich on the Monday night and set up camp....
Mountainstar stylie
My route of choice was to take in Gairich, Sgurr an Fhuarain & Sgurr Mor.
Woke at 6.30am, thanking my lucky stars no mutant sheep had attacked me (have you seen Black Sheep the film?!), packed and walking for 8am.
Cross the dam to start the walk, great views toward Gairich.
It's between 3-4k of a mud bath before reaching the ridge proper.
My lack of hill fitness was evident at this early stage but I knew getting to the first summit is always the most tiring.
Summit of Gairich
Views to the next two targets - Sgurr an Fhuarain & Sgurr Mor
Descending from Gairich was very tough as I'd went slightly SW, instead of West, and missed the zig zagged path down into the Glen. This was tiresome, I had to be sure footed! The pull up to Sgurr an Fhuarain was also pathless and extremely tough but I was enjoying the challenge...!
After what seemed like an eternity I finally reached the summit of Sgurr an Fhuarain. I had a lunch break here.
Sgurr Mor, the final summit, lay ahead.
With renewed energy and vigour, no doubt down to my can of Irn Bru, I followed the ridge Westwards.
Looking back East to Gairich and Sgurr an Fhuarain
The walk to the last summit was fantastic, I was feeling good, and when reaching it the views opened up.
Feeling happy...
...deliriously happy!!
Sat on the summit of Sgurr Mor for 30 minutes milking the views - simply breathtaking!
Headed back down to the bealach and took a direct line south into Glen Kingie, again pathless but easier than coming of Gairich!
Looking back to the bealach.
I now had a 16k walk out in front of me, but it was on a very good path, well until the last 4k!!
Hello little fella
The walk out was epic but the stunning surroundings made up for any fatigue felt. By the time I reached the mud bath I was passed caring and just plowed through it
With fading light I sneaked one last view down Loch Quoich.
Got to my car at 6pm - the walk had taken 10 hours. I was pretty dirty so had an impromptu shower under a waterfall then changed into clean dry clothes.
On route home visited a friend who moved to Fort William with her husband a few months back, nice to see them realizing their dream of moving out of Glasgow...I hope to follow them in a couple of years.
Arrived home at 11.30pm, I was rather tired...
Enjoyed my first solo camping experience.
Fantastic to be out wandering the hills again
