Why do I say “typical” challenge day?
Because it had ups and downs, frustrations, but also bright and surprising moments … and “magical” support from other challengers.
You need to understand that around 300 people do this challenge, but they start at 12 different locations on the Atlantic coast several hundert kilometers apart from each other. You can also start at different days and can pick your individual route taking up to 15 walking days … and last but not least, you can end up on the North Sea coast on locations that are over 100 km apart. The chance of meeting someone who does this challenge is relatively small … you are all going roughly the same direction!
But let’s start at the beginning … not an ideal camping site … no water and not a particularly nice location. But it was late, I was tired and still had about one liter of water …
It actually took only a little more than an hour to reach the river Pattack … I filled up again and also made myself an instant noodle breakfast with a tea.
Crossing the next hill group should bring me into Dalwhinnie. First through a georgeous forest with some nice waterfalls … still surprises me where the water comes from after more than 2 weeks of zero rainfall.
The path ended as shown on the map and I had to cross over to another path … roughly 5km on the map. And how deceiving maps can be … I thought that little gorge named Dirc Bheag is not a big deal and rather flat. Well it was not … just the 1km through that took me more than 1 hour … if you see the pictures you know why.
The little lochan was only half full so approaching the gorge I walked along the shoreline, and … saw footsteps of another idiot like me who thought that this was a viable alternative.
I was basically finished when I stepped into a mud hole and fell forward into another mud hole while making contact with sharp rocks. My leg was rather heavily bleeding so I needed to stop and use the first aid kit … no ointment creme though 😖
And while packing up I realised that my old buddy, the Tissot wristwatch, was gone. Nowhere to be found … enclosed picture shows the location … if anyone finds it I will for sure give you a reward.
On towards Dalwhinnie I met Andrew and we walked together to the APIARY Cafe … nice place and my early afternoon lunch consisted of a breakfast roll with sausage and fried egg, another one with sausage and scrambled eggs, a cake, a cider, and a ☕️ mocca. And Andrew, my first challenge angel, had ointment creme!
For him it was the destination for the day … for me only halftime with another 15km to go and up 600 altitude meters.
First part was road, then I crossed the A9 (and luckily the train to Edinburgh passed as well) and subsequently following the gigantic waterlines for a while. As often in Scotland and as already happened in the morning the path suddenly ended.
It is amazing how easily one gets lost in that terrain despite trackers and GPS guidance.
I also saw a Black Adder snake again … saw one already in 2021. Poisonous, but not dangerous for humans, and quite shy anyway.
Anyway, eventually made it to 850m altitude with a fantastic panoramic view and a super steep decline towards my campground location.
What I learned today:
- The fact that it did not rain for 10 days does not mean that the ground is dry in Scotland!
- The scottish terrain is difficult to imagine by looking at the maps! You need to experience it!
- A shortcut is often not a good idea!
- There is always a challenger around when you need one. I experienced that in the previous crossings as well! … and that despite the fact that you typically don’t see anyone all day!
And sorry for the long wait … I am already at day 9 when I was able to publish that. Rest will come likely today when I stay at the Clova Hotel.
My Travel Adventures 