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We are now onto the Saturday of the WH meet. Our plan was a nice early start and then head NW to tackle the eastern Fannichs, however with a 90% chance of heavy rain/snow high up and winds of over 45mph that plan was shelved for another day. So after a huddle we opted to watch the rugby and then head out and tackle a wee hill. The rugby was superb and it isn't very often the All Blacks give away so many penalties or make so many mistakes. We didn't have any routes loaded into our technology so we had to resort to using a map.
After studying the map I selected a couple of Marilyn's on the east side of Loch Ness, so it was down to Fort Augustus then back up the other side. George did a great job as co-pilot and navigator and we found a nice improvised parking slot.
That is where we are heading looks easy?
Nice straight unclassified road
There is a bridge, well a plank of wood across the ditch
A unique style over the fence, if you have little legs you will need assistance
My improvised parking spot, we didn't see a single vehicle on the road
Nice initial gentle ascent, trying to weave our way through the obstacles
Bit of height gained, George admiring the view
Looking north
As you can see the bracken obviously loves the area, it would be a nice challenge in the summer
If it isn't bracken it is heather, the heather is knee deep and hides the numerous holes that were probably dug by some sort of machine for tree planting. The holes are generally filled with water, I found one on the ascent and one on the descent
George trying to get a piggy back - passing shower
Getting steeper now and that means it is really energy sapping especially when you are having to lift your knees up to your chin!!
George loving the struggle
A little break from the heather and bracken
George and Parminder taking a breather before leaving the heather behind
Looking back down
George and Parminder waiting whilst I nipped up a hump to make sure it wasn't the summit
Looking NW
Not far to the summit now
NW again
Video on the summit of Meall an Tarsaid
Not sure what direction we are looking
After the usual photo's we started the descent which was certainly much more rapid than the ascent.
This turned out to be a good little leg stretcher, our plan was to nip up Beinn a'Bhacaidh, but the weather was far from ideal and it looked like another shower was on it's way so we abandoned that idea.,So we headed back to the hostel for a beer or two before eating out as usual.
Sunday was a complete washout, no hills at all as the forecast was even worse. So after a nice fry up cooked by Martin and John it was sit back and relax and watch the rugby. Wales vs South Africa and to be honest as a spectacle it was very disappointing, the Springboks negative kicking tactics paid off, but it wasn't pretty to watch.
