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[u]THE GREAT WILDERNESSA four day backpacking trip from Kinlochewe
64.2k / 40.06milesDay 1:- Sat 4th SeptKinlochewe (Incheril) to Loch Marie (outflow) 3.6k / 2.26 miles[/u]
Weather, Sunny, warm and calm.I was looking forward to this trip, as it had been a good few years since I was last in the fantastic area around Fionn Loch in my days of bagging the Corbetts, on that occasion after walking in from Poolewe and setting up camp near the path north of Beinn Airigh Charn, the same day went on to continue a big walk to bag Beinn a’ Chaisgein Mor and Beinn Lair, and the next day bagged Beinn Airigh Charn before walking back, this would be a more leisurely walk.
I had some good weather then, and I hoped for more good weather ….I was going to be in luck again…..apart from the wind!
The trip started badly a few days earlier….Whilst on the first part of my holiday in Ayr I went to pack my rucksack ready for this trip, when I realised that a vital item was missing from the car…. my tent!!! PANIC! OK no replies to the effect of "what a w****r!" I know! I know!
After ruling out the logistics of getting it sent up by post, I rushed to the town centre to check out any options of buying a new tent, which were an Argos (ok,I was desperate! but anyway the lightest tent was out of stock and otherwise nothing really suitable) a Millets (Eurohike, no thanks! the shame of be seeing in one of them! I’ll risk being called a mountain snob!) and a Blacks, which luckily had a half price end of season tent sale on, although by now not a lot of choice left, but my best and lightest choice was a 3 man Coleman weighing at 2.6 kg, a bit too big and heavy for what I needed, and being twice the weight of the tent I would have brought, but this would have to do.
I arrived at the car park at Incheril near to Kinlochewe, to find that there wasn’t a parking spot anywhere to be found, it turned out that there was a bike race on in the area, so after knocking on a few doors I got someone in who allowed me to park by their house
Beinn EigheI finally set off walking at 2.30pm along the path to one of my favourite wild camping spots at the SE end of Loch Marie only about an hour away from the car.
Loch Marie & SliochThis was going to be the last calm day for some time, and we all know what comes with ”calm”….yes midges, so the headnet was worn most of the evening, in which I enjoyed a good camp fire to keep me happy until 10pm, when I departed to bed.
Dusk, Loch Marie Day 2:- Sun 5th
Loch Marie to Carnmore stable Bothy via Srathan Buide 19.9k / 12.4 miles
Weather, Mainly sunny and very windy.Packed & ready to go, Loch MarieI was walking by 9.35am along the loch path for several miles (most of which was through high ferns) to the grand estate house of Letterewe
Loch MarieLoch MarieLoch MarieLetterewe, Loch MarieTorridon hills from above Loch MarieFrom Letterewe I had a choice of the shorter but higher pass of Bealach Mheinnidh or the longer and lower pass through Srathan Buide, with the high winds that were buffering me even at lower levels, I chose the Srathan Buide option
Strathan Buidhe passStrathan Buidhe passStrathan Buidhe passOnce I dropped down towards Fionn Loch I was rewarded with one of the best, if not THE best mountain panoramas in the Highlands, today set of in sparkling clear visibility.
Lochan on path to CarnmoreRhuidh Stac MhorB
einn LairFionn lochI had planned to camp near to the causeway, but after setting up the tent on a nice grassy area by a sandy beach, in a "slightly" wind sheltered spot, I quickly found that the tent was being blown almost inside out by the swirling gusts.
Perfect wildcamp...when no wind!The Causeway, Fionn lochSo swiftly packed it again and headed for the shelter of the nearby Carnmore Bothy.
Carnmore Stable BothyCarnmore Stable BothySunset from Carnmore Stable BothyThis “Bothy” is very basic with an uneven earth and stone floor, but it does have 3 old bedsteads to camp on, so this would do nicely to get out of the wind for the night.
Not that I got much sleep, the roof is made of sheeting panels, which rattle, creaked and banged in the howling wind…..it was like trying to sleep with a freight train passing overhead!
To be continued…….