The first day of the West Highland Way was curtailed by the fading light so we needed to get out and do the 5 miles and the hill that was between where we finished and where we needed to start the next leg. We were limited with the choice of days so we had to go as a threesome not a foursome, poor Kris had to work so it was just mum, Callum and I. We promise at somepoint we'll go back to the hill with Kris one day soon- it is sooooo worth it.
So, after a slight detour as the road Callum and I were taking to the startpoint was closed, we did try to go along it anyway but the bridge was pretty much out and we didn't think we could clear the gap, not even in the turbo boosted van. We were ready to get going. It was a good mile and a half to get back to the Way- up a not too steep but continuously sloping energy sapping hill. It's never easy! Before long we saw the little bench we sat on before finishing the first leg and caught a glimpse of Loch Lomond- our destination for the day.
It is a most deceptive hill. It's 300 meters high and we knew we were only walking 5 miles but we never seemed to get to the hill, it always still seemed to be miles and miles away and although we were climbing slightly it wasn't a huge height gain- and when we did, we then meandered back down to cross little bridges and streams.
But the further we walked we were getting closer and before we knew it we were on the hill and we were climbing. For the two days previously it had rained and rained and rained and the hill was draining water at an alrming rate. The path was more of a stream filled with stones, pebbles and rocks. .It was a very bizarre but enjoyable way to climb a hill if confusing as there was more water as we got further up the hill.
The Way actually runs alongside the four peaks of Conic Hill but since we were not up against time we thought we would just nip up and take a look at the view. It ought to be good. Well, getting up was tricky, the side of the hill was badly eroded by the rain and the surface was very loose... eek, we might actually have slipped all the way down the side of the hill. We got to the top though and it was ridiculously easy to go from one peak to the other but after the scary climb mum was not in the mood for crossing across to the other peaks. But Callum and I were definately up for it, especially after getting to the far peak Callum was completely insistant that the view from there was totally totally worth it.
That's him- that little dot away over in the distance, you can just see him. So, in a move that shocked my mum... I ran, yes RAN, across the peaks to take (pardon the pun) a peek. Callum took a panoramic shot with his super duper proper camera (although, oddly, not the loch which was truly breathtaking)...
(We do have some amazing pictures that I'll put in the gallery once Callum actually gets round to sorting it out so I can use it)
It was a great walk and on the way down the we had the lovely sensation of being all smug as everyone was just setting off up the hill and we were heading down. We met some chaps who were doing the Way in reverse...of to be that close to the end. Callum did have a little bit of beard envy though, odd chap that he is. Just as we made it to the forest at the bottom of the hill there was a spattering of rain...just enough to cool us down.
It was a very strange forest, mostly it looked normal but then it had some very pretty trees, even the odd one that had been struck by lightning. Ooh!
It was just a short stroll back to Balmaha from there. And reaching Loch Lomond, we just needed to get Kris so we could do the next leg. I can't believe how lucky I am, that I come up with a madcapped scheme to do something as difficult and time consuming as this. That I want to raise money for SANDS for Catriona and my fabulous family just pack their bags, stick on their boots and coax me up the tough bits. Awesome, in the original sense of the word.
Next: Balmaha to Inversnaid 15 miles of hill, loch, sun, rocks and cliff edges and an update on fundraising
