Day 4- Monday 9th May
Loch Eilde Mor - Corrour Cottages
(28km / 720m ascent)
I had planned this morning's walk quite a few times in the last ten years, but it had never quite fitted in with the overall walk of each particular year and so I hadn't yet been this way. It had always looked to be a good walk on the map, promising good elevated views. I am so glad we came this way! The morning's walk was a stunner.
The day started well with us scraping the ice from the tents quite early as this was to be quite a big day, so that they would not be too sopping when we next had to pitch them. Our first delight of the day was a pair of Red Throated Divers on the loch. We then we climbed on the fairly good path on our way up to Meall na Cruaidhe.
The views this morning were top-drawer with stunning panoramas opening up the higher we climbed. Buchaille Etive Mor, Sgor Eilde Beag, Sgurr Eilde Mor, The Aonach ridge.... Mountain after mountain after mountain peeling off into the distance. Far away we could see Schiehallion looking like a tiny volcano.
This really was paradise.
The path wound its way down and around and eventually dropped us off at Loch Chiarain Bothy where we had a brew and an excellent lunch. After a little while it was great to be joined by Bernie & Pauline Marshall (the first marriage that actually took place on the Challenge!)
photo © Phil Lambert
photo © Phil Lambert
The afternoon's walk started nicely along Loch Chiarain but once over the watershed and into Gleann Iolairean the track descended into a quagmire of off-road motorcycle tracks that totally destroyed the wilderness experience.
We stopped for a snack & boot break at Loch Treig to gird our loins for the climb back up to Corrour station. We scampered alongside the railway track and in no time at all were sitting down munching chocolate bars in the waiting shed on the platform. Just the ritual weighing to perform on the Station scales. Phil's weighed in at 40 and mine at 33lbs. Not so bad as we still had three days' food on board.
About a week prior to setting off on the Challenge one enterprising chap (David Albon) posted a notice on the Challenge Message board having negotiated with Corrour Estate for a cottage for one night. All he need was three people to share. I had bagged two of the places like a shot and Alan Keegan wasvery quick to bag the fourth. So we set off for the far end of Loch Ossian in search of the cottage and our benefactor. Towards the end of a longish day the track is a bit of a trudge, but the thought of a hot deep bath, fluffy towels and a bed were more than enough to get us there.
We arrived tired but happy into the warmth of the cottage and a chat with David over a good meal. Then Bernie & Pauline re-appeared having mulled over the conversation we had had at Loch Chiarain about beds, towels and baths and room was made over to them to luxuriate in the splendour of the cottage.
A good deep bath later, and after lots of sock washing, I fell into bed and was already fast asleep when the others welcomed Alan Keegan in at a quarter to eleven, exhausted after a long day.
