Stravaig-Day 6

Day 6 : River Meig to Strathcarron

Thursday 10^th May

31km

800m ascent

Overnight rain had raised the river level by nearly two feet and the tops of the surrounding hills were dusted with snow in the morning when I looked out of the tent, startling a small herd of deer grazing nearby. A cold but dry start to the day, a good path beside the river with dippers flitting and piping and small groups of deer grazing the hillsides made for an excellent walk to Pollan Bhuie.

Snow dusted hills above Gleann Fhiodhaig

The Lodge at Glenuaig, renovated in 2005 with its own hydro electric plant, has a small wooden shed beside it, with electric light and heat, that has been provided by the owners as a bothy for hillwalkers.

Looking east down Gleann Fhiodhaig

The 'bridge' at Pollan Bhuie, in reality two wires, was in place giving a very wobbly crossing, it would probably have been easier to wade accross!

Looking down Bearneas to Creag Dubh Mhor

Walking up the path towards Bealach Bhearnais I met a couple walking the 'Cape Wrath Trail' the first of a number of people I met over the next few days doing this walk, I had not realised how popular it is. I was considering going over Sgurr na Feartaig but as I gained height the cloud lowered so I continued over the bealach and down the pathless northern side of Bearneas to the bothy.

Looking back to Bealach Bhearnais, cloud over Sgurr na Feartaig

The small bothy was going to be crowded with several groups heading there for the night as I walked up the path towards Achintee. Wonderful views of the Applecross and Achnashellach hills opened up as I passed Creag Dubh Mhor and descended to Strathcarron to meet other Challengers starting there.

View across Loch Carron to the Applecross hills

There were two of us pitched in the hotel field, the appearance of Aktos making others staying in the hotel feel the Challenge had really started! After good conversation, food and a sensible alchohol intake I returned to the tent ready to start in the morning after my 190km warm up!