tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9590491047626834872023-11-15T22:16:36.417-08:00Big Plans, Wee Country...or, for the duration of my stay in Canada at least, 'Tiny Plans, Vast Country'Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090351438781973289noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959049104762683487.post-15355966656897782582014-10-13T13:21:00.000-07:002014-10-13T13:28:59.499-07:00Glenfinnan to Cape Wrath Part 3: Strathcarron to Gairloch via Torridon and OpinanContinuing the epic struggle north from Strathcarron onwards to Torridon.<br />
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With special guest star Rob, and some goats.<br />
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<u>Day 5: Strathcarron - Opinan</u><br />
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So... slightly demoralised after a tiring day of very little riding
the day before I set off along the road to meet my friend Rob at
Achnashellach, planning to then climb from Coulags and take in the
famous descent to Annat. As I had chickened out of my longer route the
day before (via Bearneas bothy) I had time to kill so sat and read my
book in the station for an hour or two (I was attempting 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' for the <i>n</i>th time...) until Rob appeared, having
descended from the Coulin pass.<br />
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We set off and very soon the challenge was met on the climb up from Coulags<br />
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Nice and easy to begin with</div>
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Tricky bridge to hop up onto with a laden bike. Common sense won over.</div>
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Not quite as hard as I'm making it look.</div>
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Rob maintaining slightly more form than I was...</div>
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The Coulags climb was great fun, and I found myself attacking stuff
that I wouldn't have bothered trying the day before. It was also good to
have someone to chase up the trail. After a (relatively) short push we started down the other side, I
wasn't sure what to expect and was hoping just to make it down in one
piece.<br />
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Rob immersed in Torridonian scenery.</div>
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Rob, about halfway down.</div>
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Me being tenderised by the Annat rocks.<br />
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Annat corners and Loch Torridon view </div>
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What a descent! long sections of rock and slab, interspersed with
perfect corners and the occasional waterbar for variety. Both me and the
bike were beginning to feel a bit beaten up by the bottom though, so
we stopped at the beach and had lunch with Liathach looming over us.<br />
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There was then a longish stretch of tarmac to Diabaig, before the
final section of off-road to Redpoint and Opinan. Never before have I
been reduced to twiddling my granniest gear on tarmac, but the roads
around Torridon don't take any prisoners!<br />
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Stop laughing at the back, this was REALLY REALLY steep.</div>
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Diabaig. We wasted precious height descending to the village</div>
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in search of chocolate. They didn't have any.</div>
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This was turning into a slightly epic day, and I had originally
planned to stay in the Torridon hostel. However we had the hospitality
of Rob's parents to look forward to, so continued to the end of the road
and took the coastal path from Diabaig to Craig's Bothy and then
Redpoint.<br />
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This path started brilliantly, and although we were tiring neither of
us could resist tackling the trialsesque slab and rock sections on the
well groomed track to Craig's.<br />
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Slabs + Scenery. McMoab eat your heart out!</div>
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Too tired, but too much fun.<br />
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Perfect singletrack</div>
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Styling it up for the screaming crowds and my mum.</div>
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Rob descending towards perhaps the most idyllic </div>
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bothy in Scotland.</div>
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Craig's itself was pretty unique as bothies go. Lots of wee murals
inside and out, </div>
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plus a hand-drawn map of local caves, pools and, um,
rocks. </div>
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Nice view out of the window too!</div>
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All good things must come to an end though, and the path further
north of Craig's quickly deteriorated. The goats and views of the
Cuillins kept us entertained though<br />
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Crossing Craig River</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOR6JMtphbMDX3tnOnVk3rBWW036Rt41GaYJhv4N8oSVjDB3xU99mLiIk3c0oigJtSHdixhMlLQVMrV4dIbA3HfTF_geRIQV-QqBrQ4wYF-xvvB5t7aY57GwD0KQBRMXLlVNbsWA1F873A/s1600/Day+5+Rob+and+Goat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOR6JMtphbMDX3tnOnVk3rBWW036Rt41GaYJhv4N8oSVjDB3xU99mLiIk3c0oigJtSHdixhMlLQVMrV4dIbA3HfTF_geRIQV-QqBrQ4wYF-xvvB5t7aY57GwD0KQBRMXLlVNbsWA1F873A/s1600/Day+5+Rob+and+Goat.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a></div>
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Suspicious goat eyeing us warily</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBKuUe_ELDHPaHSl4Nwu44fz9nmZQzQPPqYDZwEG33gk1dR3njPn6O7HL1vnGrgzrDPeFT_vxM_5xH0JE4-_Gv2d1-CBJkamwVDqYoyYCAqXITALFKkbsnK-A9-Ra8IayfRnp1_iVkN4Z/s1600/Day+5+goat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBKuUe_ELDHPaHSl4Nwu44fz9nmZQzQPPqYDZwEG33gk1dR3njPn6O7HL1vnGrgzrDPeFT_vxM_5xH0JE4-_Gv2d1-CBJkamwVDqYoyYCAqXITALFKkbsnK-A9-Ra8IayfRnp1_iVkN4Z/s1600/Day+5+goat.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and he's off.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5__cCAkE4kC2L3b5YEEV-c5LyD890M07DPmk0YJvkXQnRYPvhnzL07JRlAvu5sCo7RpcxKfJ8dt2i1K5YMqLM2_KvE6638GoaQp-9S9y1o14eCu6Mkg76lObEBaPb6MC378e-cF6Ofk3L/s1600/Day+5+Skye+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5__cCAkE4kC2L3b5YEEV-c5LyD890M07DPmk0YJvkXQnRYPvhnzL07JRlAvu5sCo7RpcxKfJ8dt2i1K5YMqLM2_KvE6638GoaQp-9S9y1o14eCu6Mkg76lObEBaPb6MC378e-cF6Ofk3L/s1600/Day+5+Skye+view.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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Looking south to Skye. From here north the map may as well have just said 'here be dragons'. </div>
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I was officially in uncharted territory (for me).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshH6KS-NGJKU9JciNhUnE-ipGJJCWm5_R0sfPhUXuGlDPo1tDlPyL6ZhJbW8MTu09w666RYj9Hy2hVODsC16RZnxL-M0KuMJL8-EEwjXiEVBFhpvVd7VbWMiSoxyKPzfhN4e1UB4eT7Qi/s1600/Day+5+Me+Redpoint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshH6KS-NGJKU9JciNhUnE-ipGJJCWm5_R0sfPhUXuGlDPo1tDlPyL6ZhJbW8MTu09w666RYj9Hy2hVODsC16RZnxL-M0KuMJL8-EEwjXiEVBFhpvVd7VbWMiSoxyKPzfhN4e1UB4eT7Qi/s1600/Day+5+Me+Redpoint.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Reaching the end of the difficulties and getting back in the saddle.</div>
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Approaching Redpoint Farm, where I am honoured to say we were </div>
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barked at by Jamiroquoiaoui's collie.</div>
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Eventually though the end was in sight, and after a glorious roll
along the tarmac with views to die for, we made it to Rob's parents,
where we had a fine dinner and a few drams with Rob's folks, until I
detected my chat was descending into 'mumbled nonsense' and went to bed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MATrB4PGGLm7Fj___UM2JWXvNyhqmAZ1pDn_NS-8bAvkrKipO2Ato3OrMZJRsJUTdnq5vAWGL0_ZRYMxhVesWmgFNYNSPoD7QnAV3ykeCSUeV8eTOGboSy05uUkajegTPr0HbY_WyCSR/s1600/Day+5+Opinan+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MATrB4PGGLm7Fj___UM2JWXvNyhqmAZ1pDn_NS-8bAvkrKipO2Ato3OrMZJRsJUTdnq5vAWGL0_ZRYMxhVesWmgFNYNSPoD7QnAV3ykeCSUeV8eTOGboSy05uUkajegTPr0HbY_WyCSR/s1600/Day+5+Opinan+sunset.jpg" height="180" width="640" /></a></div>
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Opinan sunset.</div>
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<u>Day 6. Nothing.</u><br />
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Well, not strictly true, I got a guided tour of the Gairloch area,
ate one of the most expensive bagels I have ever bought, did a fantastic
walk above Loch Maree, and walked a large number of hyper-energetic
dogs. We also paid a visit to the Badacro inn, which easily competes
with the Old Forge for excellent location and pints, I'll be back!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090351438781973289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959049104762683487.post-37932451716822265902014-03-28T22:51:00.000-07:002014-10-13T12:47:20.082-07:00Inspiration, or copying other people's bad ideas.I have already stressed the importance, and the fun, of planning your own routes, but where should you get your ideas from?<br />
<br />
Merely wishing to subject your expensive and fragile pride and joy to that special blend of acidic gritty mud that makes up most Highland singletrack is not enough, you need something to ride TO (unless you're also a building services engineer, in which case you already have sufficient FROM).<br />
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Here I provide a handy reference guide to some of the inspirations for my best or most misguided forays into the hills.<br />
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<u><b>Dead People</b></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VIu6GZW0BLrADiFN3n5qZ57PxRRDn3lAU_57y1ZYZkV2WTpvV1HUhQcAHQf44yDbMINyfk1vCkUrNR7G1GHvRm2-DO0ainkBaLrfW590od6dSstXalcqPDFKS3QOS_sAlrGp7zJnlHmg/s1600/Glens+of+Argyll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VIu6GZW0BLrADiFN3n5qZ57PxRRDn3lAU_57y1ZYZkV2WTpvV1HUhQcAHQf44yDbMINyfk1vCkUrNR7G1GHvRm2-DO0ainkBaLrfW590od6dSstXalcqPDFKS3QOS_sAlrGp7zJnlHmg/s1600/Glens+of+Argyll.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
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The Glens of Argyll - Peter D Koch-Osborne</div>
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Possibly my first guidebook, which I unfortunately received about 8 years too early when I was fixated on downhill mountain biking and not of a mind to explore the glens with a 35lb downhill bike. This book introduced me to some of the more historic trails in surrounding my village, which I would later return to on various camping trips. The most interesting trails were the Coffin Trails, which held the necessary air of morbid intrigue which had me fascinated. In particular the Ballinoe Coffin Trail and the String of Lorne.<br />
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<u><b>Lost Roads</b></u></div>
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Bike Scotland Trails Guide - Richard Moore and Andy McCandlish</div>
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When I worked in Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op this was our default guidebook to thumb through on quiet rainy Tuesday afternoons, or whenever the manager wasn't looking. I didn't understand the inclusion of some of the endless forest road loops, but then I never rode them so I probably missed out on some amazing scenery.<br />
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However, the 'Queen's Road' loop around Loch Ordie near Dunkeld was my first overnight experience, and as luck would have it, my first bothy also. I was drawn back to the area by the promise of a 'Lost Road' leading north from Lochan Oisinneach Beag (translation: small loch of the Oisinneachs) to Kirkmichael. I eventually visited the area and found most of the lost road, which unsurprisingly was largely unrideable, but the excitement of finding lost or forgotten trails has not left me.<br />
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<u><b>Old Scotland</b></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEyfdPEDvkB7zmyGbQc8M44VVT2pcrRWuwYpin2vbOQ0epjatOJvcxOsMe4NFicjNLBPlIxdxyEYmmCv6WBwfewuF85YZLzkjT9yf2iSnri1jBV7N7WMSMSCs8ij_yZlUSH9aNpKCGu5R/s1600/wainwright-in-scotland-by-alfred-wainwright-and-derry-brabbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEyfdPEDvkB7zmyGbQc8M44VVT2pcrRWuwYpin2vbOQ0epjatOJvcxOsMe4NFicjNLBPlIxdxyEYmmCv6WBwfewuF85YZLzkjT9yf2iSnri1jBV7N7WMSMSCs8ij_yZlUSH9aNpKCGu5R/s1600/wainwright-in-scotland-by-alfred-wainwright-and-derry-brabbs.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
As I knew little of mountain literature at the time, I did not know of Alfred Wainwright. I still don't know much else but this book, but this was all I needed. Written back when a simple family drive to the Northwest Highlands was an adventure in itself, the book formed the basis of my longest trip to date, a 16 day limp north with my bike and a rucsac full of camping gear. <br />
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Wainwright's writing introduced me to highlights such as The Falls of Glomach, Eas a'coul Aluin, Suilven ('like an inquisitive thimble'), The Bone Caves of Inchnadamph, the Wee Mad Road of Inverpollaidh, 'The last great wilderness walk in Scotland', Stac Pollaidh ('like a porcupine in a state of extreme irascibility') Sandwood Bay and Durness.<br />
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A greater adventure may be to try and find a copy of the book in a second hand book store somewhere, I tried and failed and had to resort to Amazon when trying to find a copy for my friend Ann, but I enjoyed looking through some dusty shelves for the distinct cover I remembered from my parent's copy.<br />
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<u><b>Bothies</b></u></div>
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The bible.</div>
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I forget who told me about this book, I think it was my friend Matt who introduced me to the concept of bothies while we stood at the doorstep of one, north of Dunkeld.</div>
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The book is so much more than just a list of bothies (which is not hard to find, if you look) but a history of people getting out into the hills every weekend just for the sake of it. The history of the bothies, and the mysteries and secrecy still (barely) surrounding one or two of them left me tantalised, and any time I saw a small pink square with a funny looking name on my OS maps, I would quickly investigate and attempt to divert my route to incorporate a quick visit.</div>
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My greatest shame (for both taking part and for losing...) was a 'bothy-off' in the pub in Knoydart, where I was narrowly beaten on a count of 'nights spent' vs. 'quick brews had in'...</div>
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Bothy stories are typically quick snapshots of trips gone well or gone wrong, from Fisherfield sunsets outside Shenaval whilst watching the Snipe drum, cold nights too tired and demoralised to light a fire and with only a Mars bar for dinner in Meananach or farcical 2am efforts to locate the Geldie bothy while crossing the same river three times in the confusion. <br />
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The beauty of bothies is that they are almost always located remotely enough that they make a worthy objective in themselves, or a welcome and unexpected haven from the rain and midgies.<br />
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<u><b>Geograph</b></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlR9nEA1Uufrym_7hWLAz2UxFDSJXJxuJQjJIx6JCiUZrhCUtnT3bVp8jus4ijvyaVNFWUw_ozAaESvgCpbF6uZl88VqpkxDrYRQ4g76Bx3ZeDji-ii9c_K6Y5_rosmAaXM8VEqwVAJM_/s1600/Geograph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlR9nEA1Uufrym_7hWLAz2UxFDSJXJxuJQjJIx6JCiUZrhCUtnT3bVp8jus4ijvyaVNFWUw_ozAaESvgCpbF6uZl88VqpkxDrYRQ4g76Bx3ZeDji-ii9c_K6Y5_rosmAaXM8VEqwVAJM_/s1600/Geograph.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Crowd sourced photographic inspiration</div>
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Danger! <a href="http://www.geograph.org.uk/" target="_blank">Geograph</a> is both highly addictive and highly misleading. Effectively an interactive map where people (yes, including <a href="http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/694121" target="_blank">yours truly</a>) post photographs linked to exact locations on the map, Geograph is an excellent planning/daydreaming tool, if used wisely.</div>
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The important things to remember are:<br />
If a trail looks good on Geograph, it probably isn't.</div>
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If someone <i>says </i>a trail is good on Geograph, it probably isn't.</div>
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If someone says a trail is bad on Geograph, or it <i>looks</i> bad, then on the ground it will be even worse, or possibly even littered with bear traps or land mines.<br />
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Not to labour the point, but be VERY VERY careful if you choose to follow a trail on the basis of Geograph pictures. Much like how Google Streetview cars only go out in the sunshine, I think people only post pictures of the good sections of trail on Geograph, even if they fought through 12km of peat hags and tussocks to get there.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090351438781973289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959049104762683487.post-17933282329577970212014-03-28T20:50:00.005-07:002014-10-13T12:49:20.694-07:00Glenfinnan to Cape Wrath Part 2: Glen Shiel, The Falls of Glomach and TorridonThe second installment of my 2011 attempt to ride an adapted version of the Cape Wrath trail. Already struggling after two days I headed into some famous riding territory between Glen Shiel and Glen Affric<br />
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<u>Day 3 - Suardalan Bothy to Allt Beithe (Glen Affric)</u><br />
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After a pleasant night in Suardalan practicing my pathetic
firelighting skills with some very damp wood, and listening to the mice
fustle with my empty porridge bags, I set off for Glen Shiel via the
Ratagan Pass. Leaving Suardalan was a frustrating process, the path was
rough and sodden, and I eventually just made a bee-line for the river
and forded it to get to the road on the other side.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The Five Sisters from the Ratagan Pass</div>
<br />
Things started improving once i reached the Ratagan Pass, a nice
gentle climb with some amazing views and a great (tarmac) descent.<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Glen Shiel wildlife, unlikely to find its way onto any shortbread tins or postcards any time soon...</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Gleann Lichd, with the Lichd hut just out of shot. </div>
<br />
The hut was locked
but had a tiny little open shelter to the side. In a little nook in the
wall were one tin of beans and one half bottle of Napolean Brandy for
the truly benighted traveller...<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The climb out of Glean lichd towards the Allt Grannda falls and Glen Affric. </div>
<br />
The fry up I'd had in Glen Shiel was <i>really</i>
weighing on my stomach here, and I made pathetic headway up what would
probably be a challenging but entertaining climb (its a Kenny Wilson
route as well, you have been warned!)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The Allt Grannda falls, a pretty spectacular cauldron that appears
out of nowhere as you </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
round a hidden corner through the glen. Not the
best photo but a brilliant wee spot.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Self timed japery around the side of the falls (and crossing one of them!)</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Looking back at the Allt Grannda singletrack.</div>
<br />
This was one of countless amazing trails that I chose
to climb along my trip. I was beginning to feel a little cheated that most of the good
trails seemed to point uphill and not downhill, but that's probably why I
made it back in one piece...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Glen Affric hostel, also known as Allt Beithe. </div>
<br />
Great wee hostel, not
much better than the bothy slightly further up the glen (Camban) but at
least I was guaranteed company, and a shower of sorts. My strategy of
trying to get old hillwalkers drunk so they'd reveal the location of the
secret Cairngorm's howff* seemed to work in here, unless 'Albert' was
having a joke at my expense... <br />
<br />
<u>Day 4 - Glen Affric to the Falls of Glomach and Strath Carron</u><br />
<br />
This day was a shambles. The hefty push up the Allt Grannda the day
before had left me a bit demoralised, so I was quick to dismount when
the relatively good path up Gleann Gniomhaidh started to deteriorate. My
mood darkened further when a relatively smooth and shallow mud patch
turned out to be a very deep mud puddle which pitched me over the bars
and up to my shoulder in black peaty mud. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The beach beneath Bealach an Sgairne.</div>
<br />
I sat on the beach for a while and soothed my battered pride, drinking instant coffee and eating cheese and
oatcakes. I eventually decided to miss out the supposedly fantastic
descent down the Bealach (and subsequent climb back out) and instead
stay high and hike through the trackless Gleann Gaorsaic to reach the
Falls of Glomach. I enjoyed this despite myself, as I hadn't expected
any trail I wasn't disappointed when I didn't find one.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The Falls of Glomach. Terrifyingly big and hidden.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The Falls of Glmoach had captured my imagination from reading about the early in my planning stages. 'Glomach' means hidden and true to form, it was very hard to actually see the entire cascade due to the steep sides. Who knows what
lurks down in the gorge, and it was nigh on impossible to look straight
down it.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Falls of Glomach singletrack.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The track down from the falls was spectacular, not all rideable, but
the good bits were very very good. On the last section there was a
tricky scramble over a rocky outcrop that required some very neat
footwork with the bike on the back. It was at this point that I met an
older couple, the wife of whom was having a little fit of refusal
hysterics at how steep and nasty the climb was. I doubt her state of
mind was helped in anyway by a disshevelled and garishly clothed biker
downclimbing the track with a bike on his shoulder...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The bridge over to the Glen Elchaig track.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The bridge was a brief civilised
interlude in the trails where I could actually pedal, coast and sit on
the saddle for more than 30 seconds at a time. This took me to Killilan
which was nothing short of idyllic in the late evening sun but posed a problem. I could stop
here, but that would leave me well short of the day's target, which left
me with a potentially long and tricky ride to Achnashellach station the
next morning, where I was meeting my friend Rob for the Torridon leg of the trip.<br />
<br />
I decided instead to carry on through the beautiful Glen Ling
(another spectacular path that I was too heavy/tired to do justice) and
eventually made it to Loch an Iasaich.<br />
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Glen Ling Singletrack</div>
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The final descent of the day, sunset over the Attadale estate track. </div>
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Usually boring, estate tracks are great fun on a laden bike, lots of loose, steep corners to commit to while almost seated and with a large rucsac getting very agitated on your back.<br />
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The track led to the main road,
and eventually the Strathcarron pub, where I pitched my tent in the
neighbouring chicken field and spent the night talking crap with
hillwalkers in the pub. Brilliant.<br />
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I think I promised Torridon in this installment, but I'll save it until next time, where I pass
through Torridon, visit Loch Maree, and ride through Fisherfield to the
awesome An Teallach. <br />
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*Don't tell me! I only want to find it via 'organic' methods. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090351438781973289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959049104762683487.post-85560332043197481612014-03-18T21:40:00.000-07:002014-03-18T21:43:23.266-07:00The joy of MapsIf several long, painful, soggy wet misadventures in the Highlands has taught me anything, it has taught me that the two best bits of any trip are typically:<br />
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1. Planning the trip (ideally over several nights and glasses of wine) and<br />
2. Talking about the trip endlessly once you've finished.<br />
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Since you have to earn Number 2 via all that tedious mucking about outside in the rain, it is all the more important to savour Number 1.<br />
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Admittedly, my first ventures off the beaten track and into the hills were based on a guidebook. But not just any guidebook, this was Mountain Bike Scotland Volume 1 by Kenny Wilson.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHMByv8FMnK2XKO2GvdzLUhA4VXWtO4yXq-7aeVfYXM2AppphlTcBXJhfdsRuNwkoP1hC6Fd3oSMxxREpTqq3kD3-23_TbHwa4-o5gWeTjPhREZ1UMspgIcQIeHrQKljZFNTlDCYX5yi0/s1600/MountainBike+Scotland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHMByv8FMnK2XKO2GvdzLUhA4VXWtO4yXq-7aeVfYXM2AppphlTcBXJhfdsRuNwkoP1hC6Fd3oSMxxREpTqq3kD3-23_TbHwa4-o5gWeTjPhREZ1UMspgIcQIeHrQKljZFNTlDCYX5yi0/s1600/MountainBike+Scotland.jpg" /></a></div>
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Hours of reading/planning/cursing.</div>
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Otherwise known as '50 walks with my bike in the Highlands' by Kenny 'F***ing' Wilson (not my words!) this book contains trails ranging from well mapped simple fireroads to ambitious and often unrideable Highland epics. Many have bought the book only to be left disappointed at the
intermittent nature of some of the trails, or the lack of fast, flowing
descents, or any other of a number of factors.These are all valid complaints, but to quote myself from a few years ago:</div>
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<i>"I think the book is very indicative of highland's riding
(unsurprisingly). When the riding is good, its astonishing. When the
riding is no good, enjoy the scenery instead. If neither is good, enjoy
just being there. If you don't enjoy just being there, then what are you
doing in the Highlands?"</i></blockquote>
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Writing this now I realise just how inspirational I found the book, I may only have actually ridden two or three of the routes proper, but I referred to it endlessly when planning my own routes, trying to include the best of Mr Wilson's suggestions while also exploring other trails on the map which took my fancy. A must buy, if only as a coffee table book.</div>
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As I grew more ambitious, it was only right to start investing in OS maps. These exist in electronic form (more on that later) but I would definitely suggest starting a collection of the paper maps, if only for your first trip or two. </div>
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The constraints of a paper map mean that there are always limits to what you can see. This in turn always leaves a little mystery, which can only be resolved by buying another map (see where this is going?). Returning home from Tiso's with your new map and spreading it out on the table next to your existing map can reveal all sorts of new twists and turns to your route (it can also reveal some of the vagaries of OS mapping, such as the popular hiking circuits which somehow contrive to straddle <b>4 </b>separate maps).</div>
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Once you have run out of space for paper maps (tip, buy the 1:50,000 scale, save youself some cash!) you may be tempted to invest in digital mapping. The only program I can comment on is Memory Map, but the principals will apply to any brand or program.</div>
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Splashing out on the digital maps for the whole of Scotland suddenly afforded me hours of frivolous planning, to the point where I had plotted more potential routes than I had time to ride. However, for every ten whimsical routes I plotted, I would at least ride one, and I was gaining a fantastic insight into the possibilities across the Highlands. </div>
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The climax of my digital route planning was the Cape Wrath route which I am slowly getting round to posting on this blog. The advantage of Memory Map is that when my girlfriend unwisely left her printer unattended, I was able to selectively print out every section of my map in a great bundle of A4 sheets which I still have folded up in a drawer somewhere.</div>
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Cost the equivalent of 20 OS maps in printer ink, but so worth it.</div>
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For road cyclists, a quick lunch time diversion at work is to plot new routes on Google Earth with the 'Terrain' option turned on. Using the little orange man function (otherwise known as 'Streetview') gives you an accurate impression of the road you will be riding however be warned! Google Streetview cars never seem to venture out in the rain, which gives you a dangerously warm and sunny feeling about the roads you may be contemplating riding...</div>
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Blue sky! Lies! </div>
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So what is the point of this rambling, semi-coherent post you ask? Simply that the planning of a trip can sometimes be the best bit, so savour it, plan your own routes, research them, and don't be afraid of following that enticing black dashed line on the map, for all you know it could be the best descent you'll ever ride*.</div>
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*It won't be, but still, you've got to try.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090351438781973289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959049104762683487.post-33108290980487423342014-03-18T20:28:00.004-07:002014-03-18T21:41:06.178-07:00Glenfinnan to Cape Wrath Part 1: The Rough Bounds<div class="post">
So this was it, this was the trip that all my other trips had merely been practice for.<br />
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Meticulously planned, thoroughly researched, and endlessly talked about (by me, to anyone who would listen).<br />
<br />
Glenfinnan to Cape Wrath via as many of Northwest Scotland's best trails, most exciting hills and bothies as possible.<br />
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Or so I'd hoped.<br />
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<u>Day 1 - Glenfinnan to Kinbreak.</u><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: I haven't provided any mapping for the route* for a variety of
reasons, not least of which is that I couldn't find a way to display the
maps that I was happy with, and that I didn't want to rob anyone
reading this of the fun of buying some maps and plotting their own
route. See my post <a href="http://bigplansweecountry.blogspot.ca/2014/03/the-joy-of-maps.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
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So off I set. I had originally hoped to be leaving in time to catch
the Jacobite steam train passing over the famous viaduct. I figured a good
self-timed shot of me grimacing up some gnarly climb with a steam train
and the viaduct in the background would <i>guarantee</i> a magazine cover, if not Singletrack Magazine then at least National Geographic.<br />
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The end result wasn't quite what I'd hoped for. </div>
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The road, then trail, stayed good all the way to the top of the bealach. </div>
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...at which point it disappeared, leaving me a very soggy and rocky
trudge down the other side.</div>
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This was to become a recurring theme for the
next two weeks, so I won't labour it. I had been warned by several
people that a lot of my routes were likely to be unrideable,
but I wanted to find out myself. </div>
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Oh how I found out. </div>
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Waterfalls beside the trail on the footpath to Strathan.<br />
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Streap, Strathan, part of the quad track out of Strathan, and two TGO challengers.</div>
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Kinbreak bothy, where I met Cameron McNeish, and more excitingly </div>
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the guy who produced "World's rarest funk 45s" for Jazzman records. </div>
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<u>Day 2 - Kinbreak to Suardalan bothy.</u><br />
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Undeterred by falling 30km short the day before, and the shocking
wetness of the trails, I set out the next morning, immediately faced
with a big river to ford and a stiff push to the track on the other side
of the glen.<br />
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Kinbreak Bothy, big river and celebrities not pictured.</div>
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Glen Kingie landrover track.</div>
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I climbed out of Glen Kingie after the Lochan ruin and headed north
to the eastern tip of Loch Quoich, where I sat down for my lunch of
oatcakes, cheese and salami. Luxury (and about a billion calories.
Sorted).<br />
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Loch Quoich singletrack</div>
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...more Loch Quoich singletrack.</div>
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Loch Quoich Roadside</div>
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After Loch Quoich it was straight along the road to Kinlochhourne,
passing/being passed by several TGO challengers, lots of motorbikes, a
classic VW camper, and a parade of very sexy sports cars (too slow with
the camera, d'oh!). The final descent into Kinlochhourne has to be seen
to be believed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDccBj2my6q3FcoTeccQbQZU85X-4ZrWDNWy07bx5Np1oiZW0lulDnB9ue0yV5N-QDgbZ9zag88IYfgVxkW1OmkS6sybuylXMO1UbLrZzy4_92Z55-C-T2EP5wfNKj19JOn9_KUZhuxeJ/s1600/Day+2+Road+descent+to+Kinlochhourne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDccBj2my6q3FcoTeccQbQZU85X-4ZrWDNWy07bx5Np1oiZW0lulDnB9ue0yV5N-QDgbZ9zag88IYfgVxkW1OmkS6sybuylXMO1UbLrZzy4_92Z55-C-T2EP5wfNKj19JOn9_KUZhuxeJ/s1600/Day+2+Road+descent+to+Kinlochhourne.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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Descent into Kinlochhourne.</div>
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Roadside waterfalls.</div>
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View back to Kinlochhourne from the road end </div>
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(also the start of the track to Barrisdale).</div>
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Searching for the tearoom...</div>
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The tearoom was a welcome break and served up a fine beans on toast with cheese on top. The owner provided his own interesting stories about what he got up to in the winter when the tourists dried up: "Grow a beard mostly".</div>
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The climb out of Kinlochhourne, through the Eucalyptus trees</div>
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(menthol
fresh, to help counteract the effects of all smoke from the bothy
fires!)</div>
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The view from the climb across Loch Hourne.</div>
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...and the view back down it.</div>
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Kinlochhourne singletrack.</div>
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Gleann Dubh Lochain</div>
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Following the pylons out of Gleann Dubh Lochain and into Bealach
Aoidhdailean was tough. The track was very good for most of the way, but
steep, and a bit loose. I was knackered.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0IBYKzrrUcW5kgY7gIm-Oi4CNlfqO5bw2un9nKPbz_sUtEDyivkfW-HphhXbE7iFKZcW8O18QYnQgBjtpFMeefh8chDQKQtWuHeysKFmizcaNKBibVWNmK5dDZQmw1GM0Gp31kQC3kkZ/s1600/Day+2+Aodhalieainanelanan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0IBYKzrrUcW5kgY7gIm-Oi4CNlfqO5bw2un9nKPbz_sUtEDyivkfW-HphhXbE7iFKZcW8O18QYnQgBjtpFMeefh8chDQKQtWuHeysKFmizcaNKBibVWNmK5dDZQmw1GM0Gp31kQC3kkZ/s1600/Day+2+Aodhalieainanelanan.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></div>
The view back from Bealach Aoidhdailean.</div>
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A very small, and very bleak looking, howff set high up on the
slopes. I was tired, but not that tired. Suardalan awaited, but not
after pushing down another descent...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pfcDleRWEeLekRs5ObNr23OzkoftXnbO4YgjPlw9utdyN4VNR5xU1H0qDw9IbblrUBU54lbsF3hptbU5YFVS0l9tpyVGndjBDpa6O2M6pa5meU7ISv4CNkYt_It2HkOrYR5fctt88rJi/s1600/Day+2+Descent+to+Suardalan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pfcDleRWEeLekRs5ObNr23OzkoftXnbO4YgjPlw9utdyN4VNR5xU1H0qDw9IbblrUBU54lbsF3hptbU5YFVS0l9tpyVGndjBDpa6O2M6pa5meU7ISv4CNkYt_It2HkOrYR5fctt88rJi/s1600/Day+2+Descent+to+Suardalan.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just above the bothy; the trails from this point on were great, and
mega-hikes can be quickly forgotten with a good descent to the front
door of a bothy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIvnrPyJx6334xfV2VQB-w3iI-ATbKKlGmGfn9YeDvORfRBz4ZKBhyphenhyphenOyRnAhKLC4Aq0DJTKKFuM_U9rn8yUft_PnzJD46zEMjCMwOMyg0Oo7iKHOSSrh1nMzcXC9rGPWM74jSXXa4SXkX/s1600/Day+2+Suardalan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIvnrPyJx6334xfV2VQB-w3iI-ATbKKlGmGfn9YeDvORfRBz4ZKBhyphenhyphenOyRnAhKLC4Aq0DJTKKFuM_U9rn8yUft_PnzJD46zEMjCMwOMyg0Oo7iKHOSSrh1nMzcXC9rGPWM74jSXXa4SXkX/s1600/Day+2+Suardalan.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Suardalan, with extra mice </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This had just been the prologue of the trip, I was now heading into
unfamiliar territory, and bigger hills. That said, nothing was likely to
be as wet (I'd hoped) as the famous rough bounds of Knoydart, but I was
already beginning to reconsider some of the more ambitious diversions
I'd planned for later in the trip...<br />
<br />
Part 2 to follow, featuring: Allt Beithe hostel, the Falls of Glomach, hysterical women, motorbike impressions and one hundred sizzling gypsies.<br />
<br />
* O.K. I lied, I did actual create a route on <a href="http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Glenfinnan-to-Cape-Wrath" target="_blank">Bikely.com</a> years ago which actually still exists. Go 'full screen' and select the OCM option from the 'Map' pull down tab. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090351438781973289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959049104762683487.post-66010846336545714482014-01-13T21:29:00.001-08:002014-01-13T21:31:46.994-08:00You will need... Pt.1Salaries are annoying. They clutter up your bank account and raise the
expectations of friends and loved ones alike. Your best bet is to treat
your salary as a sort of financial 'hot potato' and move it along as
fast as possible, to let someone else worry about.<br />
<br />
What better
way to do this than to invest in some high tech backpacking and camping gear?
Don't let the protests of your significant other put you off, after
all, these aren't just expensive toys, this stuff is bona-fide 'survival
equipment' and as such no expense should be spared.<br />
<br />
(For a handy guide to further excuses, check out the excellent '<a href="http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/humour-how-to-justify-your-next-bike-12570">Fat Cyclist</a>')<br />
<br />
<u><b>Part 1. The tent(s).</b></u><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Aha, the tent. Your home away from home for the days and weeks ahead.
Or, alternatively, a fragile liability that you pack in your bag every
morning after spending another night fending off vermin in some desolate
bothy. Your choice.<br />
<br />
There are several key decisions you have to
make before buying one, however I just went for 'lightest' and let all
other factors go hang. Therefore, for expert advice I'd maybe suggest
visiting a shop.<br />
<br />
So with all that tedious deliberating over with,
let me introduce the Terra Nova Laser Comp, my faithful companion over
the last three years.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZugtIT-ShXbwGhINYLIRbxN3en9XlsEvY-DDTJyUIRZkO7hDq5jgXHyaqt9usmRJLdIkB2_HqNSwcXazKRtW3VVVEV0TlwRqsqB-qS3DO9Vc97Y9p7aVwLSBrVW5WwsGf6FS4WeM-DHmP/s1600/Glen+Quoich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZugtIT-ShXbwGhINYLIRbxN3en9XlsEvY-DDTJyUIRZkO7hDq5jgXHyaqt9usmRJLdIkB2_HqNSwcXazKRtW3VVVEV0TlwRqsqB-qS3DO9Vc97Y9p7aVwLSBrVW5WwsGf6FS4WeM-DHmP/s320/Glen+Quoich.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Glen Quoich in the morning sun, after a night that involved </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>collapsing the tent on top of myself to save it from the winds, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>and then wandering about in my boxers at 4am, barefoot </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>in the frost trying to erect it again. </i></span></div>
<br />
Lets cut straight to the chase. This tent is light. Sub 1 kilo light.
And that's a tent with enough space for you and all your soggy luggage.
It's also double skin, so you don't end up completely soaked with
condensation the next morning, and yet it stays relatively warm on cold
nights.<br />
<br />
It achieves this weight by, amongst other things, only
using one aluminium pole (and two very short carbon fibre ones). It also
comes supplied with a packet of bright orange titanium toothpicks,
which on closer inspection turn out to be the pegs.<br />
<br />
It pitches easily, and surprisingly quickly, no matter how tired, wet or wretched you are at the end of the day.<br />
<br />
The
downsides? I've never quite grown to trust the tent in bad (read:
windy) weather. It has never actually failed me, and I could undoubtedly
pitch it better than I usually do, but none-the-less, windy nights are
generally restless nights, listening to the tent flap around and
watching the single pole deform itself into strange new shapes under the
force of relatively light winds.<br />
<br />
Over-all though, I love this
tent. It is a ticket to recklessly optimistic route planning, and the
key to needlessly convoluted trips into the hills.<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Other Tent.</u></b><br />
<br />
This is the tent you don't tell your first tent about in case it gets jealous, the tent you buy because you just want something easy and reliable when you're not counting every gram or you want something for those less than perfect pitches on rocky hillsides, sandy beaches, flattened undergrowth or (my personal favourite) decks of ferries. <br />
<br />
Or, more honestly, the tent you buy because you see it hanging in the shop window every day like the last puppy in the shop until you eventually crumble and buy it out of pity (no, my girlfriend didn't buy that excuse either...).<br />
<br />
In my case, the utility/frivolous purchase tent was a North Face Tadpole 23.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3-LZ5nY_8u6CIAA6_Ewu-Pst2pXlAZJKF1n8Pmv34-CljupDZwXTBF3UON_EHjKnWU9-5ewANvUD5of0JE4PPhIMEQOmcDX6fXUozuH1OpsCp8En2idYxLuzc86Nlh6p5RWBE3nfYuA4/s1600/Ferry+tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3-LZ5nY_8u6CIAA6_Ewu-Pst2pXlAZJKF1n8Pmv34-CljupDZwXTBF3UON_EHjKnWU9-5ewANvUD5of0JE4PPhIMEQOmcDX6fXUozuH1OpsCp8En2idYxLuzc86Nlh6p5RWBE3nfYuA4/s320/Ferry+tent.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The trusty 'North Face Hilton' with sea view, as my fellow </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>canvas enthusiast Jonny puts it. Note the satisfying use of duct tape</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>in lieu of pegs.</i></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7wlvaXn2Nl2KbWJcbBTzi8VpyOjb8deHVmqNYh3cweW1kQylxqLVc1OCTsS51dqh3xrAOtwz2M6W-F-Uzuw51NSro28xutyUMiZEDfkS_HbvaU9gKhnMCDAF38S3KQQzgGk_oeM_87XT/s1600/San+Joseph+tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7wlvaXn2Nl2KbWJcbBTzi8VpyOjb8deHVmqNYh3cweW1kQylxqLVc1OCTsS51dqh3xrAOtwz2M6W-F-Uzuw51NSro28xutyUMiZEDfkS_HbvaU9gKhnMCDAF38S3KQQzgGk_oeM_87XT/s320/San+Joseph+tent.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>San Joseph bay, complete with needless bear bag hanging </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(any bear hungry enough would just have visited the drunk kids </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>having a BBQ further down the beach...)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Tadpole is a very acceptable 2kg for a sturdy, free standing tent. For a little extra you can chuck out the pig iron pegs supplied with the tent and replace them with some smaller lighter pegs, this reduces the tent's weight by about 15% and makes you feel like a pro backpacker for 'customising' your tent.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I now use this tent for any trip where weight isn't an issue (i.e. short or flat backpacking trips or trips where I'll mostly be setting up a base camp and hiking from there). The Terra Nova is now saved for 'special ops' long or hilly trips, or just showing off, both equally valid uses.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Coming up in Pt:2 - Rucsacs and Packing</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
p.s. actual useful details about either tent supplied on request...</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090351438781973289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959049104762683487.post-34790247875104573982014-01-04T23:10:00.001-08:002014-01-27T15:19:09.591-08:00Panoramas!<br />
This is not a photography blog, my photos exist despite my photography skills, not because of them. <br />
<br />
However, a happy combination of the photo stitch mode on my old Canon SX200 (shows the edge of the previous photo to allow you to line up your next photo) Microsoft's free ICE software (image composite editor) and the free online photo editor pixlr.com allowed me to produce a few pleasing panoramic photos in about 2 minutes per photo.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4I_22s5wipfhALKImB9wq2ikmYfcApRdX-Jv17Y3cOERed5H9FTZO2fwxO56h2Cni7L8i3MgjbEKf3QX4DMpkkTrI78fthLC_-DDPZ53dT-DPQmg6v_ZYvj8Pre-qylSDZQnSgScaZXrC/s1600/STA_1193_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4I_22s5wipfhALKImB9wq2ikmYfcApRdX-Jv17Y3cOERed5H9FTZO2fwxO56h2Cni7L8i3MgjbEKf3QX4DMpkkTrI78fthLC_-DDPZ53dT-DPQmg6v_ZYvj8Pre-qylSDZQnSgScaZXrC/s640/STA_1193_stitch.jpg" height="216" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
1. Panorama taken from the side of the BC Ferries M.V. 'Northern Expedition' travelling up the inside passage to Prince Rupert from Port Hardy, British Columbia.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuW4sWfJ5A75htxHA9U1x8Kjz-HZ2saOs__3o9exM3k9F_DHgecsyixm5SdUkSbN0ZbbE5p1UPBcj3lcf6IVRXAcB9A_RrnNwZbioJk2idy6pf5Eck0dg0kqWRQ-hegF56Omt1vyUyZy2/s1600/STA_1226_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuW4sWfJ5A75htxHA9U1x8Kjz-HZ2saOs__3o9exM3k9F_DHgecsyixm5SdUkSbN0ZbbE5p1UPBcj3lcf6IVRXAcB9A_RrnNwZbioJk2idy6pf5Eck0dg0kqWRQ-hegF56Omt1vyUyZy2/s640/STA_1226_stitch.jpg" height="260" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
2. The view from the old submarine lookout point at the top of the 'Thousand Steps' trail in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo95ZDZg45xxvs9tW5A7_kTtqNKZwh7dr91XTnrxOhdjDG3wnHvR0vg2b6orCZxqB1C-CG_uluLNAOcOTXu9D4_kYyIycOrT5Q0uJqnxWz9QV1OEaagQ9qgRWHSlXqb-a76EtAPNW3kvxw/s1600/Garibaldi+Lake+Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo95ZDZg45xxvs9tW5A7_kTtqNKZwh7dr91XTnrxOhdjDG3wnHvR0vg2b6orCZxqB1C-CG_uluLNAOcOTXu9D4_kYyIycOrT5Q0uJqnxWz9QV1OEaagQ9qgRWHSlXqb-a76EtAPNW3kvxw/s640/Garibaldi+Lake+Pano.jpg" height="206" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
3. Garibaldi Lake underneath the Black Tusk, near Whistler, British Columbia.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-Gj5N0hcAMB6p0OfKUyzZPpCyKb0ZHn5ZUDTYnV7Q7r9-dQ3fmWBNlqC_6e_D9oiYIVYzAuYrjZcnTenjOuHi3FzhifZUbZxbvh9JgfA-_m99l06jA-E13rFrALK207ZCZwLwcz0AQTe/s1600/San+Jo+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-Gj5N0hcAMB6p0OfKUyzZPpCyKb0ZHn5ZUDTYnV7Q7r9-dQ3fmWBNlqC_6e_D9oiYIVYzAuYrjZcnTenjOuHi3FzhifZUbZxbvh9JgfA-_m99l06jA-E13rFrALK207ZCZwLwcz0AQTe/s1600/San+Jo+Bay.jpg" height="179" width="640" /> </a></div>
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4. San Joseph Bay, Cape Scott Park, Vancouver Island.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJmRmK1S3ZgapsrKDJ7vNRaFlfu32J4LuqHmeo3U6sHAZLEhdkmLpIWLb1lTk_ucPquudjiECXDGkSdTtER7574vSbyEnU0orVg4r1MAQZyaVGykr7RYkA5xtuqDz707VIutV0iUsMaiu/s1600/Barrisdale+Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJmRmK1S3ZgapsrKDJ7vNRaFlfu32J4LuqHmeo3U6sHAZLEhdkmLpIWLb1lTk_ucPquudjiECXDGkSdTtER7574vSbyEnU0orVg4r1MAQZyaVGykr7RYkA5xtuqDz707VIutV0iUsMaiu/s1600/Barrisdale+Pano.jpg" height="144" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
5. Barrisdale Bay sunset, Knoydart, Scotland.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenykKF4HQKbV3E0rnOiwGHlZ0-UDqCdnedRtgtzi8SwIv7gF8AgGcAuTDkgkimxITeAnMiTgTrVRIrYA6-rZJwBc2_9NnxWIAf9GLK78zG-qSfodBPz7wr7bbxqW1b7LGu31ZJh7kQaVl/s1600/LadharBheinne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenykKF4HQKbV3E0rnOiwGHlZ0-UDqCdnedRtgtzi8SwIv7gF8AgGcAuTDkgkimxITeAnMiTgTrVRIrYA6-rZJwBc2_9NnxWIAf9GLK78zG-qSfodBPz7wr7bbxqW1b7LGu31ZJh7kQaVl/s1600/LadharBheinne.jpg" height="204" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
6. Ladhar Bheinne Summit, Knoydart, Scotland.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgz6pOT_QrToqHClZqGcKmvCFfPUaX22YrS9O-_8l74PwAxZvzqTYVmgRzicQeS4EdbaY9GivqtqLXPjaqo9JbYFQ5D1qoQeDhY5KjPxU4MxvV7gVZkC6HaBkDnnCubAwzu0O1dTbu8Ta/s1600/North+Face+Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgz6pOT_QrToqHClZqGcKmvCFfPUaX22YrS9O-_8l74PwAxZvzqTYVmgRzicQeS4EdbaY9GivqtqLXPjaqo9JbYFQ5D1qoQeDhY5KjPxU4MxvV7gVZkC6HaBkDnnCubAwzu0O1dTbu8Ta/s1600/North+Face+Pano.jpg" height="142" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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7. North Face of Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg Arete</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa2eBRICfrPgzPKG_Hq-Qw307ukM6d-dYKtg5pDGR825ZxaKCSETnxaitty_s0AId5iM5yw5saAt6J4kBl2nEr7YM5SClBmFh2QIzrrzysNzMlsbQPqiaI6BZzt1ESOrPzmIhLzLiPm1u/s1600/Garibaldi+Pano+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa2eBRICfrPgzPKG_Hq-Qw307ukM6d-dYKtg5pDGR825ZxaKCSETnxaitty_s0AId5iM5yw5saAt6J4kBl2nEr7YM5SClBmFh2QIzrrzysNzMlsbQPqiaI6BZzt1ESOrPzmIhLzLiPm1u/s1600/Garibaldi+Pano+2.jpg" height="120" width="640" /></a></div>
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8. Garibaldi Provincial Park and surrounding mountains from Flute Summit </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp97TVAtyVMpwrAwn97S58sVLGGs0r9z-r1VodQgrClmshDdQ0oVXXW3PB2drIsQllh9bkuQWXbGm_39NDTazTrxOSyiUYIvucHxEMuG3tCBI0VH_6LXmM-WMSaBDCecLaQ2-6_1Dgc3cT/s1600/Suz+Flat+Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp97TVAtyVMpwrAwn97S58sVLGGs0r9z-r1VodQgrClmshDdQ0oVXXW3PB2drIsQllh9bkuQWXbGm_39NDTazTrxOSyiUYIvucHxEMuG3tCBI0VH_6LXmM-WMSaBDCecLaQ2-6_1Dgc3cT/s1600/Suz+Flat+Panorama.jpg" height="202" width="640" /> </a> </div>
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9. Downtown Vancouver sunset from the 26th floor.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090351438781973289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959049104762683487.post-26441384778767617312014-01-02T21:04:00.000-08:002014-01-13T21:44:02.821-08:00Why?<div style="text-align: left;">
There are many good reasons to take a few days to go exploring with your
tent in the highlands. Here I've tried to explain a few.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Needless to say I've omitted the many reasons why you may wish not to, because that would just spoil the surprise.</div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrnWU4ZMW4JwlwwR6T-C2jn8JcaKBSVwWYEqM0zA-2pbG3Wfr6_VMcv6uCaqsrPwebrtAf-Y0dijC_CmQPpc3lBrV5enrND39-8lxbKiydlqKee2a_HtT6xlH69foHouJqz9vBE2kf29f/s1600/Access.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrnWU4ZMW4JwlwwR6T-C2jn8JcaKBSVwWYEqM0zA-2pbG3Wfr6_VMcv6uCaqsrPwebrtAf-Y0dijC_CmQPpc3lBrV5enrND39-8lxbKiydlqKee2a_HtT6xlH69foHouJqz9vBE2kf29f/s320/Access.jpg" title="" width="239" /></a></div>
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1. Because it's the law! Or at least, not against the law, at least, so long as you aren't camping in someone's back garden, and its not the stalking season, and you're not actively destroying the hills with a bulldozer* and you're not tickling trout (I have no idea what that last one is either, but apparently it's <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> illegal. Dirty beggars).<br />
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2. Because you don't need a car. Scotrail can take you everywhere in comfort, and with a warm tin of extortionately priced Tennent's thrown in. Bonus adventure points for linking two different train lines together in a trip. Double bonus points for finding the secret super cheap fares on the Scotrail website. Result!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5D7NMgJ3mYAh2EAdefq7p5S8DlWX26pXISa5SS7uvrY8bQqRXA5icOzurFF9VoCQC0Qmk75MG2GVSLmLS5uqXUjeZghjUUcE7C2CUpHkqw6s3-XCbvGrF4KXTuWpebpuFLk8Q3dOPNIWX/s1600/Shiny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5D7NMgJ3mYAh2EAdefq7p5S8DlWX26pXISa5SS7uvrY8bQqRXA5icOzurFF9VoCQC0Qmk75MG2GVSLmLS5uqXUjeZghjUUcE7C2CUpHkqw6s3-XCbvGrF4KXTuWpebpuFLk8Q3dOPNIWX/s320/Shiny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. Shiny things! Run out of stuff to waste your money on and annoy your partner with? Then welcome to the world of lightweight camping. More titanium and kevlar than you could shake a carbon fibre walking pole at..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03U-Kvh_Eylxq9bYV3YfD9KvqXC6upq2zbGkOv7bE88r3b8rnC28f3ZZvWO4Q9ZUIdmmaoQzNRr3tTfkJ_ycoBbJxkSesvgKyFyAbTBZ-L-ZCbYM98Vy_82i67lXdQbGZVmLdFCMtsHGs/s1600/The+Rowardennan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03U-Kvh_Eylxq9bYV3YfD9KvqXC6upq2zbGkOv7bE88r3b8rnC28f3ZZvWO4Q9ZUIdmmaoQzNRr3tTfkJ_ycoBbJxkSesvgKyFyAbTBZ-L-ZCbYM98Vy_82i67lXdQbGZVmLdFCMtsHGs/s320/The+Rowardennan.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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4. New pubs. The smallest, the dirtiest, the most remote and the most spectacular. You can spend time in them all, meet all sorts of folk and re-tell all your best lies/stories.<br />
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5. Staying in bothies. Like hostels only free, but with no facilities. Or lights. Plus they have mice.</div>
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6. The morning after the night before. It may have been dark, wet, and 2am when you pitched your tent, but waking up to new surroundings the next morning cannot be beaten. Unless you're hungover, in which case you will question the wisdom of pitching your tent behind the Kingshouse Hotel...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiHVxQBTLw0hL-DRuwX55eJO2bP6Plgf8WlsOTUT9VjhBaUUR_tcMkn-JYcUKDnuceH_Xgb5e3V3ar-v92z33-3qrpEnChomQtxWh8z-ac3tpqtET7P4Oc-I49CiUcws3aQ7br0yRYjzk/s1600/James+Lairig+Leacach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiHVxQBTLw0hL-DRuwX55eJO2bP6Plgf8WlsOTUT9VjhBaUUR_tcMkn-JYcUKDnuceH_Xgb5e3V3ar-v92z33-3qrpEnChomQtxWh8z-ac3tpqtET7P4Oc-I49CiUcws3aQ7br0yRYjzk/s320/James+Lairig+Leacach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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7. Because it's there! Or, in the case of perfect, sinuous, unbroken Highland singletrack, because it <i>might</i> be there. Seen a dashed black line on an Ordnance Survey map? Could it be the perfect undiscovered mountain descent? Only one way to find out!<br />
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Stay tuned for more reasons as and when they occur to me!</div>
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*Unless you're a <a href="http://hilltrackscampaign.org.uk/index20.htm" target="_blank">wealthy landowner</a> of course...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11090351438781973289noreply@blogger.com0