2015 D4 G4 - A bit of rain but then the sun came out again for another awesome day

Some of the groups reformed and we lost one chick for another (Jaya joined us and Hema joined Rahuls' gang). BUT it was John who made the boldest move he joined the fast group who were going to tackle 38 miles as they had stopped at the Bridge of Orchy the day before.

Although there was some rain at the start as we went up Devils's staircase and walked through streams flowing down the mountain we were soon able to ditch the ponchos and again enjoy the breathtaking views.

After lunch we caught up with some of the other groups and took pics as we approached the end and Ben Nevis in the background. The terrain changed again from mountains to forests and fields. It was a challenge for sure but one made easier by the friends we walked with and the support team greeting us at the end of each day and the checkpoints.

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And as you can imagine we had a huge feast at the end. Fresh Pizzas and many other tasty things. And of course many bottles of Scottish water, this time Glenmorangie as well as Talisker.

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2015 D3 G4 - HELL was unleashed the sun of day 1 and 2 turned to gails

This was the coldest, windest and dampest day most of us have ever experienced. No pictures as it was just too wet and windy. As we head off from the hostel we all had our ponchos on and though we were ready for the rain BUT little did we know. By the time we got to the Bridge of Orchy we had walked through 40 to 80 mph guests of wind with rain almost vertical. Ponchos were shredded and back pack covers blown away. John had mild hypothermia and had to stop at the bridge. Thankfully he found a room near the station with a heater. It tool him over 30 mins to warm up. 

I lost my rag big time with the rest of my group, they were getting colder under the railway station so had to start walking but I was still trying to get water tight again and making sure John was going to be ok. I turned into the beast when I caught up to the team. We had to stay as close as possible together as visibility was not good and many of us had soaking wet boots and cold hands. Sureshbhai was shocked by my verbal outburst (I should have counted to 3 before opening my mouth). The rain and wind to let of a bit as we approached the next checkpoint at Inveroran. The owner / manager wass very very kind in allowing us to enter the hotel dripping wet. 25+ crammed into the bar area ! The pictures are from a sunnier day not our day of hell but we will not forget the hotel.

At this stage I had to tell the team we had to split up as it was not going to be possible in our state to walk together. We joined up with other groups for the next 10 miles. The rain did let up and the isolation of Rannoch Moor came to the fore.

About two miles from the next checkpoint Uma handed out some indian sweets (sesame and jaggry ?) and what ever it was I was flying. I did the final 2 miles and a further 2 to the base of Devils Staircase at 3+ mph. But at Kingshouse was another welcoming sixty van this time with Mile and Mona and Mogo Chips !.

At the end of the walk some of us were introduced to drying rooms for the first time. They do what they say on the tin. Dry.

Once we had another hearty meal (Jacket Potatoes) and a tipple of Jura it was time to sleep and for some of us lucky ones we went to hobitville.

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2015 D2 G4 - A glorious start to Day 2

I wish I had a go pro stuck on my head as I was too tired to capture the meal at the end of day 1. We were all exhausted but glad to be in the company of so many. I really appreciated the stretching / warm down led by Hema and Vasu. There were some positions I think they copied from the wrong book :-) but very relaxing never the less.

The morning started early and the breakfast was great, we packed our backpacks with Lunch as the next check point would be many hour away. We said goodbye to the hostal at Rowardennan and started to walk up the hills along the side of the Loch.

Unfortunately this was the day we started to have some casualties. Hema was not felling well and about a mile after the start we had to call the van. We parted company, a bit sad we had to leave her but glad she was in the hands of the support team. We kept climbing and the views just got better and better.

The team were walking well through all the ups and downs, there was a very very narrow gap at one point but Biren (in the Krusiers group) had got through it so it must have been an optical illusion or he made the gap wider :-). There were many waterfalls the largest near Inveraid which also hat a small harbor and loos !

As we approached the lunch spot where all the groups would meet the path started to widen. We also realised group 5s' secret weapon. Shiv and Dipan they just don't stop talking makes the team walk faster trying to get away from them ! That is a rather large pile you have Dipan ?

After a nice lunch break near the lakes' end we started to walk along the river Falloch. Still a glorious day, with beautiful views, and although we had only just had lunch about 2 hours ago there was another welcoming checkpoint at Belnglas campsite. I was starting to enjoy the Rab (although the single malts every evening still had the edge).

The walk remained hilly but still awesome. We went through multiple terrains from the side of the river to a mountain forest and before the end of the day an open plane. There were also some very very noisy cows who were bellowing for the farmer to come and get them.

But as we approached the second checkpoint for the day, and only an hour from the end, we lost another member of the group, Rishi, who started to feel very ill, I think he sensed the stormy weather approaching. Day

The end of the day was a bit damp and dark so I kept my phone in my pocket but the pictures below are how welcoming the rest point felt at Tundrum By the Way ! We also had a great Mexican meal and you guessed a tipple of Whiskey (finished off the kilchoman).

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