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Day 4

Monday 14th May - Glen Fyne to Gleann a' Chlachain

A pleasant surprise before nine next day, as I enjoyed the sunshine on a short pause after the rough and intermittent track along the reservoir, to espy the same three figures coming up behind, having had a lie-in after all! We chatted again, and they went ahead (being younger and faster than I, by miles), but we met on their next break and walked over the bealach and down to Beinglas camp site, joining several Challengers including Howard and Doug again, as well as numerous West Highland Way-ers, for lunch. My morning friends then set off straight up the mountain due east, while most of us set off more modestly on the local section of West Highland Way. We split up when the others diverted to Crianlarich to collect parcels; Howard and Doug were then parting company for the middle week as is their wont. As I continued the higher section, I had my first mobile signal in days, and paused to start organising my next mountain trip - great thing, retirement.

Out of the forest at last, cross the road, admire old St.Fillan's priory and graveyard, on to leave WHW at Auchtertyre, and the sting in the tail for the day was the unremitting uphill road eastwards to the shielings which Howard had identified as a likely camp pitch. The site was indeed lovely, although without many flat patches: we just about found two. I had pitched, and started a brew out of the rain, when I heard a distant yell as Howard approached for a welcome cuppa in the damp dusk.