Today I needed to decide what my next few days would look like. My planned route was to go up to Chalybeate springs. A spring but now situated in the middle of a giant windfarm, just above Ft Augustus. This would set me up for going to the top of the Monadhliath Mountains and spending two days walking the ridge line to Kingussie.
My next three days are below: Purple would be today, Blue- Day 6 and Red- Day 7. In good weather this would not be an issue and something I have looked forward too doing, as the views should be fantastic from up on the ridge.
However they are currently covered in some snow with more bad weather forecast for Day 6 and 7. Which would put me camping up high during what could be a storm bringing more snow and poor visibility. I was more concerned about the visibility. What is the point of climbing up high if you can only see as far as your hand in front of your face? While I needed to, and did, provide a FWA (foul weather alternative) that was accepted, it was not the ideal solution as it still needed some off trail hiking in possibly bad weather.
For several days, Andy has let me know that I would be welcome at a planned get-together in Belgowan. The original plan was for Andy, Emma, Carl and Lindsay to all meet there for a night, but now with both Carl and Lindsay having dropped out due to injury, there was plenty of room. Most of the route that Andy was doing, the next couple of day, I had been on before, but the thought of either spending a few days in what could be cold and wet conditions with no guarantee of any views, or having a lovely walk and a meet up with friends, didn't take me long to decide. I would be changing my route to follow along with Andy.
Crossing over the canal that empties into Loch Ness
Wild Garlic growing under the trees
Bluebells
A candidate for the cutest cottage award this year. This is a new rental cottage being built on a property just outside of Ft Augustus.
Gaining a quiet road across this stream
This was a different way than Vicky and I went in 2014. This approach to the Corrieyairack was much quieter and nicer than walking the busy B road that we used to reach the old cemetery turn off.
Taking the path that leads around the estate
Highland Cattle (Hairy Cooz)
Culachy House.
Culachy House was covered in scaffolding, in 2014, as it was being completely refurbished by the new owners.
Culachy House and its surrounding 8,000-acre Highland estate in Scotland are owned by Colin and Jorie Grassie. Colin Grassie is a former UK chief executive of Deutsche Bank, and Jorie Grassie is a luxury jewelry designer known for her "Culachy collection" made from red deer tusks.
Just past Culachy House we meet up with Lorna. She is on the TGO Challenge, and since our paces seemed to be about the same, we all continued along together for the rest of the day. She was great fun to chat with.
After here you start to climb... and climb and climb. A great view back to Ft Augustus and the southern end of Loch Ness.
It was around noon time when we arrived at the Blackburn Bothy, located right along the path. This entire path is part of the General Wades Military Road in the area. We stopped here for lunch and a break.
After lunch we continued up to the top of the Pass
Andy and Lorna on the bridge over the stream
An emergency hut about half way up the Pass, before the real slope starts
Lorna, Andy and I at the top.
Now down, with great new views into the Badenoch area.
More remnants of General Wade's Road construction.
Melgarve Bothy, another really nice bothy that was suitable for sleeping inside
Another rainbow as the fronts pass one after the other
My spot in the corner of an upstairs room. It was Lorna, Andy and I in this room.
The bridge (above) was the newer version of the one done by General Wade in the middle to late 1700's (below). Just a couple years older! 😉
On and on, around this point it is equivalent to the highest point in Missouri at 1772 feet. The Pass climbs to 2823 feet
Almost at the top. Great views today. The wind is cold, but any rain has held off so far.
Made it to the top
Looking out from the cairn marking the top of the Pass.
Panorama from the top.
The second emergency hut just over the top of the Pass.
Glenshirra Forest Area
Quick breather after coming down from the Pass.
As we approach Melgarve Bothy, more great views of the hills just above.
The bothy filled up quickly with Challengers and also several cyclists that were doing the Highland Trail 550 bike event. 550 miles in 3-5 days! And we thought we were nuts!
Tonight we did manage a very nice fire.
The mist came down in the early evening bring some rain down low and more snow up higher.
Everything was dry and warm inside. Everyone made dinner and sat by the fire
I would have had no weather problems today getting to my original planned stop at Chalybeate Spring. It will be interesting to see what the weather looks like in the morning.
Day 5 Summary and Stats:
My original route is in the purple. The actual route today is in blue with the Corrieyairack Pass circled in yellow and the different points of interest marked on the map.
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