Walking in memory of Elliot

Back in 2013 I walked the West Highland Way and had the most incredible week of sun, snow, solitude, and stunning scenery. I walked alone - but not really. I had numerous family members accompany me on the way and actually only had one day out of six that I didn't see or walk with a relative.

One of my favourite memories of walking the Way is from the fifth day. It was the longest day for me, 21 miles from Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven. I walked solo for the first 12 miles, to Inveroran and over Rannoch Moor to Kingshouse. Mum walked out to meet me near the Glencoe Ski Centre, and as I approached the Kingshouse Hotel I was met by my cousin Elliot who had our family dog Robbie, then further on my Dad and Uncle Colin.

Dad and Elliot joined me for the section between Kingshouse and Kinlochleven, whilst Mum took Robbie and Uncle Colin took his campervan to meet us at the end.

I was so glad to have company for this 9 mile section. It kept my spirits up on a long, hard day. It allowed special memories to be made - we could never have known then how meaningful these memories would become...

We sadly lost Robbie the dog on 29th January 2016.

Just over two weeks later, in a tragic accident that none of us will ever get our heads around, we lost Elliot. He was 21 years old.

In the weeks and months that followed, family, friends and acquintances have raised thousands of pounds in Elliot's memory for Jessie's Fund, a charity that helps children to communicate through music. Elliot was a very talented musician. As a family I think we will always hold this charity dear to our hearts as it has provided a positive focus after Elliot's death. Dave and I raised money for Jessie's Fund at our wedding, but more impressive than that there have been marathons run and walks undertaken to raise money in memory of Elliot.

I've wanted to revisit the Kingshouse to Kinlochleven section of the West Highland Way for quite some time. As the day of what would have been Elliot's 23rd birthday approached, it seemed fitting to get family members together to walk together in Elliot's memory.

After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing with cars and logistics, we - 10 walkers and 2 dogs - set off from the Kingshouse Hotel at 12.15pm on Sunday 25th June. It was raining, windy and cold. More like March weather than June...

The path and tracks were quite wet, but thankfully the weather did improve as we walked on. The views of the Buachaille, Glencoe and the surrounding mountains were as stunning as always. We took the Devil's Staircase gradually, resting on each zig-zag.

I was surprised to see the 'shop' signs weren't a joke - some kind soul has set up a couple of tents at the top of the Devil's Staircase selling sweets and Irn Bru - brilliant! Just need bacon rolls now...

It was lovely to get to the top of the Devil's Staircase and revisit the highest point of the West Highland Way. But it was emotional to be back here too. I couldn't help but feel the absence of Elliot's presence.

 

We walked on a wee bit further to get out of the wind for lunch, and when we stopped, we raised a wee dram to him. I think he would have appreciated this - on that cold snowy March day in 2013, he ripped his trousers on a fall (from walking too quickly/clumsily!) and must have felt the cold that day!

It's pretty much all downhill to Kinlochleven, but it's further than you think, and I'd also forgotten how much of a slog that downhill section can feel. Eventually we got there, 5 hours after we left.

We got everyone back to Kingshouse to the various cars, and said our goodbyes.

I hope this can be a yearly walk, but in the space of a year there will be other events, fundraising opportunites, and moments of reflection. Elliot will never be forgotten and revisiting this section of the WHW has brought the memories of 2013 back even stronger than ever.

Here's to you ET.

thirty six down, 246 to go!

This one was a bit daunting for me. I was heading back out on my own after 15 months since my last solo Munro, Meall Ghaordaidh. As I set off I had the Whitesnake song in my head - "here I go again on my own..."

But I needed a morale boost, and going up to the top of a 3000 feet mountain was the fix for me. It was fairly last minute, but I'd spotted a single Munro just north of the 'Glenshee three' that Kate and I conquered in early May. I was aiming for An Socach. It looked fairly straightforward navigation-wise, and at just shy of 10 miles altogether, it would be a good walk for Tig and I.

That's when I realised I wouldn't be on my own at all. I would have Tig with me - my wee pal.

We left Stow at 10.20am, and got a pretty clear run to Glenshee. I was glad to have missed all the morning rush hour traffic.

I parked in the lay-by just across the road from the start point, the 3rd car there, and set off at 12.50pm. I wasn't feeling brilliant; slightly nauseous for some reason and not totally in the zone. I'd had a text from my big brother to tell me I was needed for a delivery the next day (I was chancing my luck that I wouldn't be needed) so I felt the pressure was on a bit to get home in reasonable time before an early start tomorrow. I thought I'd crack on and if I wasn't feeling it then I'd call it a day.

Of course, the further I got the less and less likely it was I was going to turn back, but also the more I walked the better I felt. So I just kept going.

However I fell into one of my worst habits - going too quickly. I had no one there to help pace me, or to tell me I didn't need to hurry. Consequently I was clumsy - I kept tripping over rocks and I had a few worrying ankle and knee twinges. I also managed to step on some heather, thinking it was solid underneath, and slip onto some rocks as it wasn't as solid as it appeared!

Slipped down onto the rocks below!

After leaving the land-rover track and crossing the burn, I was on the 'up' section, and it was very boggy indeed. It felt like a slog. Eventually I saw the stone cairn I was aiming for, and kept pushing on. I met another solo female walker coming down, who told me it was very windy at An Socach's summit.

I took a wee breather at the cairn, then headed for the next bit of ascent. I knew once I'd got to the top of this part, I 'only' had to walk along a broad ridge to reach the summit. I liked how the 'up' sections were fairly short and manageable.

When I reached the ridge, I definitely noticed a change in the wind speed. I was far more exposed to it now, and my jacket, hat and gloves went on. I could see Carn Aosda, the Cairnwell and Carn a'Gheoidh alongside me, and could see cloud sweeping in although I felt it was high enough that it wouldn't affect me.

Looking across to Loch Vrotachan & the Cairnwell

(not the summit cairn)

Looking to Loch nan Eun

It was a reasonably lengthy walk along the wide ridge to the summit, or it certainly felt that way going into the wind. At 3pm I made it, and immediately took shelter in the wee cairn!

Munro number 36 for me / number 9 for Tig

 

Tig and I spent about five minutes there before braving the elements once more. We retraced our steps all the way back, although I was very glad when I descended from the ridge and was out of the wind.

I was pushing myself on, determined to get back to the car on or before the 4 hour mark. I don't know why - I guess I was already worried about how late home I'd be. I enjoyed the challenge though, and I did make it, almost exactly on the dot at 4.50pm.

I struck lucky with the drive home too, missing the rush hour traffic again and being home by half past 7, to a fish supper.

I was physically exhausted - this felt like the quickest Munro I'd done - and mentally exhausted too. I'd worried about being on my own, about not feeling quite right, about falling over and hurting myself. But I managed, and it's a confidence boost to get out there on my own again (apart from Tig) and now I'm over that hurdle I'll feel better about solo Munros once more. It did make me realise how much I've enjoyed having company over the past 11 hills though - Colin, Calum, Dad, Mum, Ross, Kate and Dave.

I was tired the next day having not slept very well (thankfully I didn't have to get up quite as early as I thought I would!) but not sore at all, which was a relief. Maybe I am getting fitter - it's a shame I don't feel it though!

Ups and downs...in the Pentlands and in life

I can't believe June is here and with it 'summer' - it's certainly been a tad wet recently so par for the course for a Scottish summer. Let's hope it improves...

Typically, the days I've been free have been the very wet days, and the days I've been busy have been the reasonably okay days. But that's life. I've been trying to get out as much as possible and enjoy the fresh air.

Last Saturday brought a bit of an epic walk in the Pentlands. I didn't really set out to go far, I just thought I'd see how I was feeling and go as far as I felt up to. I didn't fancy a Munro trip but I wanted to do something, so I was away from Flotterstone car park before 10am.

It was a glorious morning, really quite warm, and there were a fair few folk out and about. I had a really nice chat with a couple of guys who were on their way down from Scald Law after an early start.

I was struggling a bit with the 'up' side of things, but made it to the top of Turnhouse Hill within the hour. I thought I'd persevere towards Carnethy and probably Scald Law, then head back. That didn't happen...

Top of Turnhouse

Looking towards Carnethy and Scald Law

I decided the ups and downs would be good training for the next Munros, but on the ascent up Carnethy I decided I'll never feel fit enough. The legs just burn constantly.

Tig was making short work of it though, as always. She actually didn't stray too far from me, which is typical when it's just the two of us. Her recall is very good (except when there's hares around) so I felt safe letting her off the lead.

Summit of Carnethy Hill

An hour after leaving the top of Turnhouse, I made it to Scald Law's summit trig point. I didn't hang around for long, as by this point I'd decided I was going to power on to the Kips.

Summit of Scald Law

But before that, I was going to visit South Black Hill, because I wasn't sure I'd ever been up there before. The detour always seemed out of reach, but actually it was just a short stroll across.

Heading for South Black Hill

Then it was just me versus the Kips. I fuelled up with some jelly babies, and bagged East and West Kips in quick succession. My burning legs were fully in their stride and there was no stopping me now.

 

Going up East Kip...or West Kip

Looking back the way

Oh, but I still had to get back to Flotterstone. It took me just over two hours from the bottom of West Kip to get back to Flotterstone, on a good path just to the right of Hare Hill, past The Howe, Loganlea and Glencorse Reservoirs. I was feeling pretty puggled by this point, and took to walking on the grass to avoid pounding the tarmac roads.

Eventually I reached the car at 2.30pm, 4 and a half hours after I'd started. My stats on Viewranger were more impressive than I thought they'd be - 11 miles with 875m of ascent - only just shy of Munro height!

A good training walk indeed, but far more than that, an enjoyable day to be out with my dog, in a beautiful part of Scotland. I met some lovely people along the way.

Home - and we're both exhausted

From Viewranger

From Viewranger

Unfortunately this week just gone hasn't continued in the positive mindset I found myself in after Saturday's walk. Perhaps too tired, perhaps the rain got to me. I had planned a Munro day on Tuesday, but it wasn't to be - we had a month's worth of rain in one day so I think that was for the best!

Today was also a potential Munro day but the forecast didn't play ball. I did get out onto the Southern Upland Way with Ross and Dad and the dogs to enjoy a walk to the top of Minch Moor. It was a wild day, wind and rain, but the fresh air was good for the soul.

There have been a number of peaks and troughs recently. Last Saturday's walk in the Pentlands was during a peak for me, whereas this week has been more of a trough. I'm struggling to ride the waves and I yearn for more consistency rather than the constant ups and downs. The downs/troughs are all-consuming and leave me exhausted, a different kind of tired to a day in the hills. They make me feel like I can't even get to the hills. Hopefully there's more ups/peaks round the corner so I can get back out there in a better mindset...