This is a work in progress, done mainly to help me (and any other Challengers who may find it useful) to get an overview of where everything is. I've marked the start and finish points (2011 Vintage) and I'm adding the locations of bunkhouses, bothies (roughly), beautiful views, idyllic campsites and anything else that might be useful. If I can do it reasonably well, I may add the routes from Scottish Hill Tracks. It's going to take a while!
Your comments or thoughts on anything else that might be handy are greatly appreciated!
View TGOC 2012 in a larger map
Wednesday 26 January 2011
Monday 24 January 2011
Ardgour and Ardnamurchan
Last week I was in Scotland. Seven of us set off from Cheltenham to stay at Bun Allt Eachain on the shores of Loch Sunart. None of our party had been to this bit of the Highlands before and we were completely taken with it. Certainly the "cottage" we were staying in helped with the general "This Is Awesome" ambience, but the whole area was absolutely stunning. A general overview of our week can be found here, read on for more walking-specific stuff...
The weather was a mixed bag early in the week, so it was Tuesday before we set out to do any hills. We didn't have to go very far for our first fix, as soaring up from behind the house was Beinn Resipol.
The weather was a mixed bag early in the week, so it was Tuesday before we set out to do any hills. We didn't have to go very far for our first fix, as soaring up from behind the house was Beinn Resipol.
Beinn Resipol from the west.
I was keen to climb this mountain as Chris Townsend considered it worthy of a mention in his tome on Scotland, and also I had recently seen it mentioned in the TGO article about Corbetts. It would seem rude not to give it a go!
The weather was still looking a little random when we set out on Tuesday morning. Pete, Sym and I walked along the A861 towards the campsite at Resipol. There we headed upwards, following the course of the Allt Mhic Chiarain up through the woods. A little navigational faux pas (I hold my hand up here) meant we lost the path and had to heather/bog stomp to get back on route. At this point Sym's feet were really giving him some gyp in his new Scarpa boots, so he decided to head back down. Rather unpleasantly, this pain wasn't blisters but some sort of nasty tendon/ligament type thing in his instep. Two visits to Fort Bill A&E (a 60 mile round trip) and some very strong painkillers would be required before he started feeling anywhere near human again. Not knowing this at the time, Pete and I waved him farewell and looked upwards. Not before trying to don our waterproof layers in a very sudden and gusty squall. Suitably ensconsed we carried on. The summit wasn't looking particularly endearing at this point, in fact we couldn't see it as the cloudbase was down to about 600m, maybe lower in the rain.
The weather was still looking a little random when we set out on Tuesday morning. Pete, Sym and I walked along the A861 towards the campsite at Resipol. There we headed upwards, following the course of the Allt Mhic Chiarain up through the woods. A little navigational faux pas (I hold my hand up here) meant we lost the path and had to heather/bog stomp to get back on route. At this point Sym's feet were really giving him some gyp in his new Scarpa boots, so he decided to head back down. Rather unpleasantly, this pain wasn't blisters but some sort of nasty tendon/ligament type thing in his instep. Two visits to Fort Bill A&E (a 60 mile round trip) and some very strong painkillers would be required before he started feeling anywhere near human again. Not knowing this at the time, Pete and I waved him farewell and looked upwards. Not before trying to don our waterproof layers in a very sudden and gusty squall. Suitably ensconsed we carried on. The summit wasn't looking particularly endearing at this point, in fact we couldn't see it as the cloudbase was down to about 600m, maybe lower in the rain.
Hmm...
We felt that perhaps a spot of luncheon might be in order, to give the weather time to show it's hand. Possibly on a full stomach we would feel emboldened to press on in to the murk. Time to use my portable 2-3 person bothy thing. Very interesting it was too. Maybe the "2-3" designation is actually a mathematical description and this particular bothy was designed for -1 people as it was very, very cozy. I mean very.
Lunch in a very small bag.
However it was better than having lunch in the wet snow shower that now blew through. After eating our fill, we took stock of our situation. 1. The summit was still completely obscured, and one of my reasons for climbing to the top was to see the extensive views that CT mentions. Beinn Resipol is the highest point before the sea, so the views of the Ardnamurchan peninsula and the islands beyond are apparently awesome. To slog to the top and not have that reward seemed a little perverse, summit bagging for the sake of it. 2. Pete hadn't fully appreciated what an undertaking BR would be so felt a little under-equipped. I hate pressing on when you don't feel suitably prepared so I wasn't going to push the issue. Therefore we made the decision to head down to the cottage, making use of the opportunity to practise some navigational tricks and tips, and enjoying the views whilst we did so.
Skirting the two Lochans na Cuthaige, we crossed the Allt Eachain (three times?) before hitting the road about twenty metres from the drive to the cottage.
Loch Sunart
Skirting the two Lochans na Cuthaige, we crossed the Allt Eachain (three times?) before hitting the road about twenty metres from the drive to the cottage.
Lochan na Cuthaige
We needed to scratch our Beinn Resipol itch. Rather than heading further afield to climb something on Thursday, as had been mooted earlier in the week, we decided to retackle BR. Thursday dawned, and the weather looked a lot better. A good frost sparkled in the early light as we set off again.
Frozen Stream
Following the same route as Tuesday (without the navigational error) soon had us gaining height. Lunch today was taken in the sun, with just a baselayers and fleece keeping us warm.
Not bad for a Scottish mountain in January was our considered opinion. Soon the breeze picked up, so we donned shells and headed on, skirting round to the southern side of the summit cone. Here and there were little patches of frozen snow so we had a bit of fun cutting steps up one, although we could have walked round it in about 30 seconds. Interestingly, we spotted mini avalanche spore on this little slope. Right where it was at it's most convex, the snow had broken away to a depth of maybe ten centimetres and perhaps two metres across and slid four or five metres.
Frozen Stream
Following the same route as Tuesday (without the navigational error) soon had us gaining height. Lunch today was taken in the sun, with just a baselayers and fleece keeping us warm.
The lunch time view.
Not bad for a Scottish mountain in January was our considered opinion. Soon the breeze picked up, so we donned shells and headed on, skirting round to the southern side of the summit cone. Here and there were little patches of frozen snow so we had a bit of fun cutting steps up one, although we could have walked round it in about 30 seconds. Interestingly, we spotted mini avalanche spore on this little slope. Right where it was at it's most convex, the snow had broken away to a depth of maybe ten centimetres and perhaps two metres across and slid four or five metres.
Pete cutting steps.
The going started becoming a little more "hands on" as we picked our through rocks and ledges. The views east to what we guessed were the Glen Coe mountains were stunning. We were above the cloud that lay south and east, and the snow-capped summits of these mountains poked through and caught the light beautifully. Unfortunately as we climbed higher, we realised that we weren't going to get above the wispy cloud that was draped over the top of Beinn Resipol. When we reached the oversized cairn that marks the summit, visibility was down to about 50m, so no views of the Ben for us. After a quick breather, we now headed north, down towards Glac Gharbh. This side of the summit was much more icy and had a lot more lying snow. Nothing impassable, but enough to make you use that little bit more caution as you picked your route. Some ice axe arrest practice had me pass Pete, before we cleared the worst of the snow and ice and headed back down to the cottage, following the path we had climbed up hours earlier. The low afternoon sun made everything look golden, and the views continued to take what breath we had away.
We hadn't seen a soul on the hill all day (apart from four people walking their dog just above the campsite) and when we thought about the numbers you could expect to pass on the "honey pot" hills, we were glad we stayed local. Beinn Resipol may not be a Munro, but it's all the better for that!
We didn't "do" any other hills during the week, but from other trips out it became clear to us that this area has tonnes of potential for exploration. We'll be back!
Loch Sunart Sunset from Bun Allt Eachain
(If you haven't followed the link already there are some other pics from our week on my other blog, and here too. No pressure.)
We hadn't seen a soul on the hill all day (apart from four people walking their dog just above the campsite) and when we thought about the numbers you could expect to pass on the "honey pot" hills, we were glad we stayed local. Beinn Resipol may not be a Munro, but it's all the better for that!
We didn't "do" any other hills during the week, but from other trips out it became clear to us that this area has tonnes of potential for exploration. We'll be back!
Loch Sunart Sunset from Bun Allt Eachain
(If you haven't followed the link already there are some other pics from our week on my other blog, and here too. No pressure.)
Friday 14 January 2011
A Milepebble!
It's not big enough to be a milestone but hey, I'm Going For A Scuttle has just passed a thousand views! Thanks to everyone who pops by, occasionally or regularly, and thanks to my small band of followers for sticking with me.
Cheers
Kenburg.
Cheers
Kenburg.
Wednesday 12 January 2011
Acquisition - Part One
I've been thinking about the gear I'm going to use for the TGOC2012 for quite a while. I've asked questions, I've read blogs and reviews and I have compared weights and costs. Wow, there's a lot of information out there!
The main catergories I have been looking at are Shelter, Sleeping, Carrying and Footwear. The MLD Trailstar currently tops my list for Shelter, the Go-Lite Pinnacle ticks the necessary boxes for carrying, and I think I'm going to give the Inov-8 Terroc 330s a whirl on my feet. Sleep-wise, in the end I couldn't see past the Alpkit Pipedream 400, it's light, warm enough and very reasonably priced for the spec. With a Hunka bivvi bag and a Thermarest Neoair, I think I should be OK.
I was going to order the MLD Trailstar first due to the eight week lead time required for European deliveries. However, over the weekend I was browsing the Alpkit website when I noticed that they were having issues with availability on the Pipedream range. Not wishing to miss out, I made the decision to order one straightaway. I added the Hunka, and a set of Rosewood and Titanium chopsticks for my better half, and placed the order.
I got a phone call on Monday from Tom at Alpkit saying that there had been a labelling issue and instead of blue Pipedreams they only had green ones and would a substitution be alright? I had no issue with a swap, and was told my order would be dispatched that day. It obviously was as it turned up yesterday! I think that's really good service, especially as there was no charge for postage or "Express Delivery"!
My initial reaction was "That's a very small parcel". Once opened up, removed from the compression sack and allowed to loft, I had to clamber in to the Pipedream. It's a very light bag, and fairly snug, which is not a problem. As far as I could tell, lying on the floor of a centrally heated house, it felt plenty warm too. I then slithered in to the Hunka, which made me look like a giant grub according to Bev. Overall I'm very pleased with this combo and am looking forward to giving them a run out in the wild. When that happens further updates will follow! One other nice touch is the selection of storage bags that came with it (a tiny stuff sack, a compression sack and a large storage bag.)
One of our cats certainly approves...
The main catergories I have been looking at are Shelter, Sleeping, Carrying and Footwear. The MLD Trailstar currently tops my list for Shelter, the Go-Lite Pinnacle ticks the necessary boxes for carrying, and I think I'm going to give the Inov-8 Terroc 330s a whirl on my feet. Sleep-wise, in the end I couldn't see past the Alpkit Pipedream 400, it's light, warm enough and very reasonably priced for the spec. With a Hunka bivvi bag and a Thermarest Neoair, I think I should be OK.
I was going to order the MLD Trailstar first due to the eight week lead time required for European deliveries. However, over the weekend I was browsing the Alpkit website when I noticed that they were having issues with availability on the Pipedream range. Not wishing to miss out, I made the decision to order one straightaway. I added the Hunka, and a set of Rosewood and Titanium chopsticks for my better half, and placed the order.
I got a phone call on Monday from Tom at Alpkit saying that there had been a labelling issue and instead of blue Pipedreams they only had green ones and would a substitution be alright? I had no issue with a swap, and was told my order would be dispatched that day. It obviously was as it turned up yesterday! I think that's really good service, especially as there was no charge for postage or "Express Delivery"!
My initial reaction was "That's a very small parcel". Once opened up, removed from the compression sack and allowed to loft, I had to clamber in to the Pipedream. It's a very light bag, and fairly snug, which is not a problem. As far as I could tell, lying on the floor of a centrally heated house, it felt plenty warm too. I then slithered in to the Hunka, which made me look like a giant grub according to Bev. Overall I'm very pleased with this combo and am looking forward to giving them a run out in the wild. When that happens further updates will follow! One other nice touch is the selection of storage bags that came with it (a tiny stuff sack, a compression sack and a large storage bag.)
One of our cats certainly approves...
AlpKitten
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