We catch the Dumfries to Glasgow train

Then catch the Glasgow to Milngavie Train

Milngavie is where we  start the walk.

Very easy first day.

Last night was more rain most of the night but this morning there is a yellow thing in the sky not sure how long it will stay?

After packing the tents up still wet we head off. Derek, Kenny, Tom and Mark are planning to stay over at Rowchoish Bothy another 10 miles on. 

All the best and thanks for your company. We will keep in touch. Take care!

Myself and Martin decide to head on further.

We have the best bacon sandwich I have ever tasted at Rowardennan then we head for Invernaid. The sun is out and it's a fantastic day. 

The path down the side of Loch Lomand starts to get rough and very rocky. Miles and miles of climbing over rocks with 16kg backpacks on makes for a really hard day! Muscles now ache I never knew I had.

After a really hard day we set up our tents and head for the famous Drovers Inn 5 mins from us for a well deserved pint. Tomorrow the forecast is bad more wind and rain we are heading for Tyndrum and the halfway point. 

Until then goodnight!

So we are up and packed dry ready to go by 7am.

We are keeping up with a team of Marine cadets  from the Netherlands oh did I tell you they are carrying 30Kg. 

Leaving Beinglas Farm its dry but overcast about a mile on and the heavens open.

What else can I tell you we have made it past half way soaked to the skin again.

We arrive at Tyndrum at lunch time and I pick up new supplies I had sent on. Tonight we are staying in the By The Way Hostel got the last 2 beds will give us the chance to dry out before heading for Glencoe. 

Heading for a wee pint now😉.

Quick update we got a txt from the other 4 and they have made it to Beinglas Farm so well done. Keep your chins up the weather has not been kind to us!

Take care all

Day 5 Wednesday 06/05/2015

Tyndrum to Glencoe 20 miles Total 74 miles.

Leaving Kinghouse it's very cold and overcast heading towards Altnafeadh then it's up over the Devils Staircase. What a climb! and with 16Kg on your back it's slow going as we approach the summit it starts to snow. The views are out of this world. We turn over the summit to make our decent and take a battering from the wind which is now blowing towards us. It's not long before the snow stops and the wind dies down as we descend into Kinglochleven. I have another parcel to pick up at the Post Office so now showered and changed we are heading for a well deserved pint.

Tomorrow we head for Fort William and the finish😉. We have booked into a Hostel for the night and if the weather is kind to us we are considering climbing Ben Nevis on Saturday.

Only one blister on my left toe so I'm a happy chappy!

It's great seeing people along the way and checking how they are doing  7 of the cadets have threw in the towel due to injuries so only 12 left. We have not heard from our other 4 since they were at the Drovers.

 

The sun is beating down as we leave and we are no sooner out the village when we take a right into the trees and an almost vertical ascent. 

Once we climb out of the village the rocky path leads us through the valley heading to Fort William.

Today is a long day as we wait for the finish line.

The last two miles a killer on tarmac and by the time we reach Fort William our feet are on fire.

We all meet at the Nevis pub and celebrate a great week walking.

Today I leave the hostel early heading for the base of "The Ben".

Martin was joining me but after a heavy night last night he has decided to stay in bed so the old man is on his own!

What a day to finish the trip the sun is beating down and I am looking forward to reaching the summit.

A short taxi ride to Glen Nevis Youth Hostel and I cross the road to the start.

As soon as I cross the bridge from the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel it's a very steep climb.

Some people are heading down from doing the three peaks 24hr challenge and are able to give advice on conditions at the top.

The views are stunning and one guide (West Highland Way by Charlie Loram) described this as being better than your first sexual experience!

Once I hit the snow ridge it becomes very slippy and difficult but further on this gets better.

Once I get to the top I am amazed and spend some time in the silence I have never experienced before.

It's such a clear day and with blue sky's and the sun out I am still in my tee shirt. After having lunch two hours too early I head down.

The helicopter is overhead and I hear two people are getting airlifted off with head injuries I wish them well.

After a well deserved pint it's time to head to the train for my 4 hour journey to Glasgow.

Martin is staying on for another night with the Germans we met on route.

We also heard that Derek, Kenny and Mark are still heading for the finish they are now at Kinglochleven unfortunately Tom had to go home.

Best of luck guys!

Big thanks to Martin, Conny, Derek, Kenny, Mark,Tom and everyone I met for your company along the Way.

Jam GoLight rucksack 0.96kg