I awoke in the van in Garve again, and the forecast had been for some high winds to come through, but much later in the day. I reckoned I could get to Ben Klibreck and get it done before the weather closed in, but tagging on Ben Hope wasn't going to be achievable sadly.
I was up at 0600 and on the road for 0700, keen to get that weather window.
It's a long drive up there, but I arrived in sunshine at 0845 and was on the path and running at 0855.
From the start, it was very boggy. I'd decided on my Mudtalons for speed, but I'm always aware I'm going to have wet feet if it's like that, and so that's what happened. You get used to it.
I was moving fairly well, but as another runner came up behind me and overtook I realised I'd been a bit slower than usual, but I did have three continuous days of Munro and Corbett bagging in my legs.
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| View back to the windfarm |
The bog continued unabated, with some really rough ground and no real way around, so it was a wet plough up to the cairn on the top of Cnoc Sgriodain at 0930.
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| Cnoc Sgriodain with Loch nan Uan left |
This was followed by some dry ground finally, but then more bog at the low point, before climbing up onto Carn an Fheidh. Rather than go right to the top, there is a handy contour path parallel with the loch, which then leads to some more dry ground.
This gives way to some rocky ground above 750m, so it's a bit of a rock hop to the summit, Meall nan Con.
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| Old 3-trigs Klibreck |
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| Summit trig point/cairn |
I stopped for a roll that I'd brought along at 1050, so just over 2 hours to the top. My mind wasn't on top form and I was deep in thought rather than taking in the views.
After a few minutes, I decided to head back down, because the weather was due in fairly sharpish. I just followed the same route down, any dryness in my feet was soon reset by another visit to the enormous vertical bog.
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| The bog |
There was a lot more uphill than I remember on the ascent, but it was fine, I just kept going and enjoyed the muddy descent.
I got back to the van at 1230 and chatted to an ex-Marine from Orkney about hills and strength training as you get older. Nice man. I headed to the river and just put my feet in, shoes and socks on, to try and wash most of the bog out.
I then looked for a nearby campsite online and found Woodend near Lairg. They promised washing machines and a shower which was much needed after a few days since Ullapool. I booked in but was far too early, so I read in the van for a bit, ate another roll, then decided to head for the Crask Inn for a coffee.
It seemed a bit shut from the outside, but once I got inside, it was welcoming and lovely. I might save Ben Hope for my last one and get a celebration with the vans and guitars at the Crask, that would be a belter.
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| The Crask Inn |
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| The Crask Inn |
I headed down to Woodend and it was a great campsite - so clean and with wonderful showers. I could also get the van onto the electric hookup meaning the battery got a boost for the next couple of days I had planned. I felt great, washed and all my manky clothes from the week washed and dried. The prospect of Findhorn was looking like just what I needed. I chilled, had a beer and had a tinned curry and boil-in-the-bag rice in the van.
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| Chilling in the van |
Run Distance: 15.42km
Run Time: 3h 37m
Ascent: 982m
Munros Completed: 245 (37 remain!)
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