A train journey from Edinburgh to Inverness that ended up going via Carlisle meant I had time on my hands to ponder many things. Is the Earth flat? What part of Theresa May’s “strong stable Britain” do I like the most? Why am I heading south when I should be heading north? And finally, with the weather so stable and dry would a one day push from the Corrie Hallie car park round the Fisherfield 6 be a good option?.
With sun and more sun forecast I wanted to get the initial elevation gain done before the sun really started cooking. So I set the alarm for stupid early. In hindsight I should have just set off at midnight seeing as how there was enough light to walk in plus I slept very little anyway, waking up 4 mins before the alarm went off. I took a screenshot of my phone in that moment because what I was looking at seemed so ridiculous.
Ullapool to the Corrie Hallie car park went quickly although on arrival the initial lay-by where you park was full meaning I needed to use the next one along which would add an an extra 1.12 miles to my day. Only another 28.76 miles to go, but who’s counting?
Beinn Chlaidheimh, Sgurr Ban, Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair and the moon all being lit up by the early morning sun.
Looking south from the summit of Beinn a’ Chlaidheimh.
Loch a Bhrisidh with Beinn Dearg Mor in the distance. Beinn a’Chlaidheimh to the right.
Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair.
The tennis court.
Looking west to the Dubh Loch, Fionn Loch.
Beinn Dearg Bheag, Beinn Dearg Mor, An Teallach, Beinn a’Chlaidheimh, Sgurr Ban, Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair.
Gleann na Muice Beag.
An Teallach, Shenavall.
The dry ground meant it was great underfoot. The sun was intense though and definitely meant overheating was an issue. The dog and I stopped for a swim in 4 locations, each one felt luxurious and refreshing. The crux of the day was the final elevation gain from Shenavall bothy heading back over to Corrie Hallie. The horseflies at this point had took on biblical plague proportions and were trying to take me down. I ended up wearing their bites all over my body for days to come. It was all well worth it though and I was back in Ullapool by mid afternoon. Here there was only one thing left to do which was to go for our 5th swim of the day up behind the house. Roll on summer 2019.