OK, so finally the Scottish adventure starts.
After an early
morning swim in Derwentwater with the Sexy Stoker and the Mountain Goat I
headed north. Scotland beckoned and some big hills with lots of driving in
between. Today saw over 350 miles covered plus three hills.
Cairn O’Mount was first and probably the easiest, although
it gets 7 in the book. A swift descent from the car park at the top, photos at
the bottom and then the climb back up. Job done.
Onto the first of the triple ski area ticks.
The Cairnwell climbs from the Spittal of Glenshee up to the
ski area. The book said 26 mins. I took 35!
It was a long, but steady climb.
However, I think a better choice would have been to include the hill up to the
Spittal as well as this was a fantastic, undulating approach.
The drive from Glenshee to the Lecht was brilliant. Long
flowing roads through gorgeous scenery and a sunset to boot. I arrived at the
top of the Lecht with just enough daylight for the tick.
It’s a pretty tough
climb, steep to start (with several deer crossing in front of me) and then unrelenting in it’s remainder with the road
straight up the hillside. It gets a 10 in the book, but it’s no Hardknott!
I had planned to try and get a bunkhouse in Aviemore, but it
was now late so a great picnic spot at the Well of Lecht provided the campspot
for the night, though I opted for the car due to the dreaded midges!
18 miles 881m of
ascent
No comments:
Post a Comment