Tuesday 27 May 2014

TGO Challenge Day 3 Mon 12th May

Loch Affric to Above Glen Moriston   20.7km - 594m ascent - 578m descent
I had a leisurely start today, it looked like an easier day on paper. All todays route would again be new to me which I was looking forward to. There would be no rain today while I walked :-) As a bonus, just as I started walking I met Peter, Lee and Matt. It was good to chat with folk of a like mind.

The track East above Loch Affric made for easy progress, the Scots Pine on heere are superb.
Looking back the head of Glen Affric was gradually disappearing behind, a mixed emotion for the hills of the West are special.

We stopped to take in the view at the head of the Allt Garbh.
Lee, Matt and Peter looking back to the Carn Eige hills.


As we approached  the small lochan near Allt an Laghair, we came upon this german expedition equiped Land Rover. They'd certainly looked for an isolated spot to spend the previous night.

We stopped for a snack overlooking the lochan. This would make a superb wildcamp spot, but it was way to early in the day to consider it for tonight.

As we walked through Cougie the weather improved it was now very warm....just in time for the ascent to the Bealach Feith na Gamhna.
The tree in the foreground looked like the arboreal version of Keith Richards!

The uphill work of the day completed as we reached the Bealach Feith na Gamhna. The path kinda comes and goes hereabouts. Alast clear look at those Western Hills.
Shortly after this I parted company with Peter, Lee and Matt. We would have different routes to Fort Augustus. It had been great walking with them for the day..I would walk again with the "Famous Three" from Tarfside.

The place I planned to camp at was poor, so I picked up some water and followed the hydro road West! until I found this great spot on a grassy knoll looking down on Glen Moriston. I'd just got the tent up at about 5pm when there was a heavy shower. I didn't take a picture that evening as the light was poor, this was taken early on Tuesday morning as an inversion started to form.
It had been a great day walking.

6 comments:

  1. Hi Al

    This looks similar to the route I'd been on 2 days earlier. Although I found a reasonably dry camp spot by the Allt Muic.

    Enjoying your story.

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    1. Our routes across here do seem very similar. I looked long and hard at the place you camped at...it was a good spot. I decided to walk on for a bit. I was pleased enough to find the place I did.

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  2. Replies
    1. The Affric area is a bit special isn't it! I hadn't walked any of todays route before, Cougie in partricular seemed like it should be in Spain to me!

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  3. Hi Al
    Next time you go this way it's worth walking along the track to the north of Loch Affric as the views through the Caledonian Pines to the south are stunning.
    It's good to have an easy day at time - an early finish recharges your batteries.
    Again - lovely pictures, Sir.
    :-)

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    1. I'll bear that in mind Alan. Always good to have a bit of personal knowledge. Interesting that I have lots of expereince of the hills, less so of the glens.
      Thank you for your kind comments regarding the photo's

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