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.
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 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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