walkhighlands


Ben Ledi with Nina & wild swim in Loch Lubnaig

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Attachment(s) Corbetts: Ben Ledi
Date walked: 13/05/2023
Views: 92


In search of a winter swimming paradise (Morar Bay)

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Attachment(s) Date walked: 01/03/2020
Distance: 6km
Views: 479


In search of a winter swimming paradise (Allt Leachdach)

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Attachment(s) Date walked: 29/02/2020
Distance: 21km
Views: 498


In search of a winter swimming paradise (Loch Ossian)

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Attachment(s) Date walked: 28/02/2020
Distance: 10km
Views: 503


In search of a winter swimming paradise (Port na Murrach)

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Attachment(s) Date walked: 27/02/2020
Distance: 17km
Views: 509


In search of a winter swimming paradise (Halfway Lochan)

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Attachment(s) Date walked: 26/02/2020
Distance: 13km
Views: 462


Beinn a' Chochuill

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Attachment(s) Munros: Beinn a' Chochuill
Date walked: 25/02/2020
Distance: 16km
Views: 464

The hillswimmer. In search of a winter swimming paradise

Date walked: 24/02/2020

Distance: 91km

Recently, I have only posted few reports on the Walkhighlands forum. There are so many spectacular and beautiful reports of other members. In comparison to those, my reports do not seem very exciting. However, this Corona pandemic has made me change my view on this point. At the moment, it is uncertain for how long this situation will continue. Neither do we know when we will be able to revisit the mountains. To quench the Highlandthirst, I now use this amazing website every day. It makes me incredibly happy to read all the reports. Perhaps, it could brighten the day of other members, if I upload a short impression of my journey to the Westhighlands. I made this trip last February. This was for now my last winter trip. By uploading this short impression, I hope that the pictures will bring back old memories, of places which you might have visited too.

24/02/2020: Kilchurn Castle (Loch Awe)

Multiple weeks in advance of the trip to Scotland, I was already keeping track of the weather forecasts. Unfortunately, the weather did not seem very promising. The forecasts predicted lots of rainfall, strong winds and poor visibility. Considering the weather and the danger of climbing the Munros in these circumstances, why not turn my trip into a swimming holiday? On the first cloudy and stormy day, it would not have been possible to climb any mountain, in any safe circumstance. I therefore decided to visit Loch Awe and Kilchurn Castle.

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25/02/2020: Beinn a'Chochuill (Loch Awe)

Tuesday was the only day on which it seemed somewhat responsible to walk to the summit of a Munro. It was an exhausting hike with stormy winds. After arriving at the top, my efforts were rewarded with a beautiful, wintery scenery.

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26/02/2020: Halfway Lochan (Ben Nevis)

On Wednesday, I left Oban and took the bus, to eventually arrive at the beautiful Loch Linnie in Fort William. During the bus journey, it was raining constantly. The weather cleared up and according to the weather forecast, I had about three hours before the next storm would arrive in Lochaber. This was just enough to walk in the direction towards Halway Lochan on Ben Nevis. My intention was to create and ice hole and to take an ice bath. However, the ice was too thick and my ice axe too light in its weight. That idea therefore had to be cancelled. Despite this, I was still able to enjoy a beautiful walk. I was accompanied by two ravens who helped me to consume all the food that I had brought along with me.

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27/02/2020: Port na Murrach near Arisaig

The weather forecast for Wednesday predicted rain, snow, strong winds, as well as a bright sun. This remained the same for Thursday. According to the Met Office, the area of Arisaig had the best weather predictions. I decided to visit Port Murrach. This is a hidden pearl of the west coast. The road to this swimming paradise was an unforgettable experience on its own. The Sgurr of Eigg and the with snow covered tops of the Skye and the Rum Cuillin, as well as Blaven were visible. I had the beach all to myself. After the swim, I was able enjoy the sun.

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28/02/2020: Loch Ossian (Corrour)

Friday promised to be a cold, wintery day with a lot of snow and low temperatures. I decided to return to Corrour. I have been there often, it however never fails to bore me. It was comfortably busy in the youth hostel. When I asked if I was allowed to swim in Loch Ossian, I immediately managed to attract a lot of attention and to receive an applause afterwards.

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29/02/2020: Allt Leachdach (Grey Corries)

On Saturday, when I drove in the bus to Spean Bridge, there was still considerable rainfall. However, upon arrival, I was able to enjoy a few hours of sun. After a short break at the ‘Wee Minister’, I walked in the direction of Stob Coire Ghaibre. Once I arrived at the ridge, I intended to consider whether it would by sensible to continue my walk to the Grey Corries range. This soon appeared not to be the case. From the south-west, the first stormy clouds became visible. Realising this would only be the beginning, I quickly walked back to the starting point. This gave me enough time to dip into the Allt Leachdach. This has a small pool, right under a bridge.

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01/03/2020 Morar Bay

Even on the final day, there was no chance that I would be able to climb any Munros. The weather in Lochaber was rubbish. I therefore decided to take the gorgeous Westhighland Line to Morar. In the abandoned area, I once again had the entire bay to myself. In the empty station and the practically empty train, I had plenty of time to reflect on this great week.

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In search of a winter swimming paradise (Loch Awe)

This post is not published on the Walkhighlands forum
Attachment(s) Date walked: 24/02/2020
Distance: 8km
Views: 609


A wee Loch Awe evening walk

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Attachment(s) Date walked: 04/11/2019
Distance: 9km
Views: 453

ere1


User avatar
Location: Rijswijk, The Netherlands
Occupation: teacher
Interests: books, cycling, walking, swimming
Activity: Walker
Mountain: Gulvain
Place: Rum

Munros: 51
Tops: 14
Corbetts: 2
Sub 2000: 1
Islands: 7
Long Distance routes: East Highland Way   



Filter reports


Statistics

2023

Trips: 1
Corbetts: 1

2020

Trips: 8
Distance: 182 km
Munros: 1

2019

Trips: 13
Distance: 241 km
Munros: 9
Corbetts: 1
Sub2000s: 1

2018

Trips: 14
Distance: 128.5 km
Munros: 1

2017

Trips: 6
Distance: 148 km
Munros: 14

2016

Trips: 7
Distance: 95 km
Munros: 6

2015

Trips: 15
Distance: 228 km
Munros: 10

2014

Trips: 10
Distance: 147 km
Munros: 4
Corbetts: 1

2013

Trips: 9
Distance: 157 km
Munros: 7

2012

Trips: 5
Distance: 91 km
Munros: 4

2011

Trips: 4
Distance: 69 km

2009

Trips: 4
Distance: 31 km

2008

Trips: 8
Distance: 55 km

2007

Trips: 3
Distance: 16 km


Joined: Mar 23, 2013
Last visited: Jan 21, 2024
Total posts: 233 | Search posts