Training Log Archive: SarahD

VWMR Leg 66 with KH, traverse from Drumochter to Glen Tromie over A’Bhudenaich Beag, Carn na Caim & Meall Cuaich. Stressful day trying to replan and sort logistics yet again after too few hours of sleep. Needed out and really happy that I had a date with K to look forward to. Had been looking fairly grim all day but by the time we went out it was pretty much dried up and a few views were to be had. The wind didn’t even seem too bad. These aren’t some of the most exciting Munros but personally I was really quite excited as it was 3 new ticks for me, having only had one new one so far since the start of the relay. Running on paths for a decent percentage of the route so progress felt much easier and speedier than other outings. Best if all though, the chat was good and I soon remembered why we were doing this challenge. Plenty of plover, ptarmigan & hare around.

C • 1

Back to Fersit from Roughburn. Pleased to get off the main road which felt a bit scary in the dark. But didn’t enjoy the climb back up the hill. Dodging lots of frogs along the way.

Picking off Beinn a Chaorainn & Beinn Teallach whilst pausing before sending runners into Corrour on Friday morning. Solo run, off in daylight, and beyond the col between the tops before the headtorch came out. New area of planting on the lower slopes if BaC had been fenced further out. Found a style over the fence which then led me onto quite a nice wee trod that I’ve certainly never found on the last 2 trips up there. Pleased to get to the top in just over 80’ and found myself trying to push the pace, just because it was so nice to be on more runnable terrain! First top completely clear of cloud and just 5’ in the murk on the second. Damp air / drizzle throughout and wind gusting strong at times, but by comparison with other recent outings this was a joy! Needed the run to distress from the logistics side of things and remind myself why we’re doing it :-)

C • For fun 1

Up at 5 in the bothy the next morning. Weather still looking pretty grim, but if we didn’t get out and pick off at least the first few Munros then we were going to be holed up in deepest Knoydart for yet longer. Climb onto Sgurr na Ciche was really not too bad and we soon had that in the bag. Onwards from there and the rain gradually set in more persistently at the same time as the wind got up again. Got more kit on and feeling perfectly warm enough, but progress felt slow on wet ground and rock. Had a wee moment when a foothold gave way on a scramble, but managed to cling on and regain composure! All fine onto the next two tops - Gharbh Cioch Mhor & Sgurr Nan Coreachain but feeling the weather more by this stage and on the edge of getting cold. Think we decided quite early we would need to skip the last top of Gairich but we had another early exit option from the ridge beyond Sgur Eag and by the time we reached it it seemed the most sensible option. Managed to communicate with base to let them know and then began the very long and extreme boggy trudge out to Quoich dam. Disappointed not to complete the objective, but it’s a big day in good conditions, and these very definitely weren’t good! At least we had cleared off enough of inner Knoydart that the remaining could be done from the Quoich end.

C • Ski touring … in June :-) 4

Easy bike / hike with HD into Sourlies bothy from Glen Dessary to await SS. Persistent rain and windy too. Nae nice down in the valley and hard to imagine what it must be like up high. Soon discussing a plan for what to do if S didn’t arrive. Changed out of wet kit as soon as we got to the bothy but still took a while to warm up. H got a small fire going but not enough dry wood for more than a quick blast.
Some while later a pair came in off the CWT and after initial chat ‘Jim from Orkney’ offered to send a message through for us using his satellite messaging system. 10’ later and message from FL told us to sit tight as S was still coming and J would be sent in with supplies for an overnight stop. 9pm and our knight with a big rucksack arrived. Thin pickings and minimal kit for the night, but a whole lot better than what we had otherwise!