Day 9
An Lairig to Dalwhinnie
Daily Distance 26.7k, Time Naismith 7.48, Daily Ascent 1063m, Daily Average Altitude 603m
The map shows our actual route in Blue, and the intended route where it was different in red. The blue numbers on our route are highlighted in the text. The red squares are Munros.
It was a very windy night but the tent came through with flying colours. In the morning the weather was still raining, but improving, and we had not collapsed into the stream.
As we continued over the pass 1 the path got better. Streams began to have bridges over them - ahh civilization It stopped raining and we picked up speed on the gentle downhill with light rucksacks. We got to Loch Pattack where we met people again. One more ridge before Dalwhinnie, The Fara, this has no Munros on it, highest point is 911 metres.
We went north on a track then up the side of the hill round a plantation 2 up the ridge and on at a high level for a long way, unfortunately often in cloud, but nonetheless wonderful walking. The summit cairn 3 is enormous, as if they were trying to make it a Munro.
In the cloud We could not descend directly to Dalwhinnie because the plantation got in the way again. We were booked in at the Inn at Dalwhinnie and we got there about 3 in the afternoon. The receptionist claimed they had had 100 challengers book in; the first had arrived on Tuesday. We were the last to pick up a parcel. We had spent so long climbing ridges in the West that we were four days behind some. We knew that it was 6 days to Montrose from here and that did not leave a lot of spare time. The baths and clothes washing began, and by evening we were ready for the big meal of venison with Guinness and apple pie and custard, followed by a double single malt from the distillery down the road.
And so to bed.
