My Corbett Journey - some facts and figures...

The Corbetts Journey Some Facts and Figures

136 days, 5 days off

180 hills seeing no one unless they were with me

company on 51 hills

11 days cycling only, 49 days walking only, 7 days sailing and walking, 66 days cycling and walking

1 day walking between hills only

2 days just sailing,

39 days climbing 1 hill a day

54 days climbing 2 hills a day

17 days climbing 3 hills a day

2 days climbing 4 hills a day

3 days climbing 5 hills a day

89 hills climbed in first half, 132 climbed in second

55 hills climbed in 1st third, 76 in 2nd third, 90 in last third

70 hills in very poor or no visibility,

68 nights in tent, 8 in bothies, 18 in friends houses, 2 in strangers houses, 12 on sailing boat, 2 at home, 13 in bunkhouses, 8 b and b's and 5 hotel nights

,

Update from my last couple of weeks on them there hills.......

My penultimate day on my corbett challenge.
My last couple of weeks has seen me travelling through Highland Perthshire from Dalwhinnie over the hills around Rannoch Moor, down through Loch Rannoch, Glen Lyon, Loch Lyon, Glen Lochay, Lochearnhead, Glen A????, Glen Vorlich, Glen Dochart, Glen Almond and Glen ...........
I have had a blasting from cold, northerly winds and driving rain, having to escape from Loch ericht the day of Bertha with nothing dry, walking the length of Loch Rannoch looking for somewhere to hide. Meanwhile Rob was trying to bring me a bike and had a 280 mile detour as roads closed around him right, left and centre and he watched a fishing hut float down the Spey, and lots of livestock stuck on little islands.
I have met friends randomly like Laurie on the cycle path south of Dalwhinnie who was just cycling back home from Edinburgh (as one does) and Paul with mad dog Lennie who came to join me and move bikes on the traverse from Loch Rannoch to Glen Lyon. He has no idea just how good the Ghanaian chocolate with caramel and seasalt that he brought me was. My tastebuds are alive and well.
The girls have also been out, with company and support from Clare, Brenda, and Ali on the Dalwhinnie Hills and with Wendy on the hills around Loch Earnhead and a welcome night out at her home in Aberfoyle where a hot shower and a wood burning stove got rid of the chill I had been feeling for a few days.
Peregrine, Kestrel, owls and buzzards are all on the hunt and there have been a few grunts and barks from the deer. Along side the grouse and pheasant, bunnies and hares are a feature of the moorland around here.
As well as the development of hydro schemes and hill paths which have been a constant throughout, there is movement now in the big houses in the glens. Estate life is alive and well,
"the most money the estates have made since the kelp industry"
 was how I heard one businessman put it when I was eavesdropping on a conversation in a bar in Glenfinnan. So the estates get grants to put in hydroschemes then get to sell the power back to the government, am I missing something?
It started with the march of the sheep, then the deer and the forestry, and now it's the march of the Beauly, Denny Line.. At least Applecross are using their local hydro scheme for local people and are planning to come off the grid. More of this please.
Rant over. For now.
There are yes signs and no thanks, saltires and union jacks, people are talking politics and I will be returning to rising passions and heated debate.
Out here the world is purple and I'm loving it.
Only 1 to go ..........................

www.justgiving.com/lorraine-mccall

Folks.....she's got 10 to go.....brilliant.....how about giving her fundraising a wee boost in her last week....the just giving link is on www.lorrainemccall.com....go on even a few quid will keep her plodding to the finishing line on Ben Y Vrackie next Thurs or Friday.
Rob

201 down.....20 to go!!

Big Bertha got me today so I have had to alter my route for the remainder of of the journey and looking at the weather forecast over the next couple of days I may need to duck and dive a wee bit so it is (as always). I am at loch Rannoch tonight where I have a couple more hills to go before crossing to Glen Lyon and then on to Glen Dochart, Lochearnhead, Glen Lednock and Killin before eventually finishing on Ben  Vrackie at Pitlochry on 23rd August.

I hope to see some of you out on the hills and if anybody is handy for logistical support please phone Rob on 07754049809 who will have all the details and know where help is most needed.

Lorraine

Round the Cairngorms.............

Going round the cairngorms has been a time of long road cycles, mountain biking, catching up with friends, big, big distances between each hill, tickless, clegless, hot, hot sun and wet, wet rain.
Rob's heel is at last getting better and he has been out to play at the lecht and on Corriehabbie hill (where he went back onto the hill whilst I was Ben Rinnesing to look for my mobile phone. Needle in a haystack stuff, but he came back with it intact - amazing!). He then joined me for a mountain bike and trekking combo on that miles away from anything hill - Mount Battock. Interesting recent hill path developments taking place here as on many other hills on this journey.
Support has come in all shapes and sizes. Thankyou to Wilderness Scotland for the ice cream and the offers of support on the hill and for Stef for putting me up for the night and cooking me dinner, Oh and updating my facebook page throughout.
I have been joined by Patrick on his local hill Morven then put up by him and his family for the night  in the very bonny Tarland whilst eating them out of house and home and gaining local knowledge of the hills.
John Dunbaven, who climbed all the munros with his German Shepherd a few years back, came up to join me for a few days, move bikes around, climb some hills and eat lots of cake. It was good to share stories with someone who understands all the wee things - the hunger pangs during the night when you wake up and eat everything; being stuck in the tent all night when it's really hot but the infestation of midges means you just cant go outside; not panicking when the weather moves in and you have made a classic navigation mistake like 180 degrees out on the compass; the silly songs that get stuck in your head. Who else remembers this?
 Ma wee schools the best wee school, the best wee school in Glesga,
 The only thing that's wrang wi its the baldy heid heidmaister
  He goes tae the pub on a Saturday night
  He goes tae church on Sunday
  He prays to god to gie him strength to batter us weans on Monday!

I had a big day with friend Steve Willis mountain biking from the punch bowl to Brown Cow Hill and back over Cohnacraig and the twin summits of carn Liath and boy did we underestimate the length of the cycle. Steve has the eyes of a hawk, I saw more wildlife that day than I had all the rest of the journey round the gorms including 3 golden eagle sightings and the fresh tracks of a hare who had been trying to escape. Steve was a guide with Wilderness Scotland the same time as me and was always willing to share his knowledge and his humour.

This had been a big day and it was amazing to finish at the end of the day with some chocolate and whisky sent by Jane from the lake district whom I do not know but who has been following the exploits. It could not have come at a more perfect time.

I have not been meeting many people on the hills but on Ben Tirran i met Ian, the Watch of Barrisdale, after I had walked over the Capel Mounth and all the way down glen Clova to get there and he stated what a short day Ben Tirran was and he was off to do another hill down the valley. the joys of having a car. I comforted myself with the biggest slice of chocolate cake with strawberries and cream in the Glen Clova Hotel after the walk.

A big thankyou to Manny for coming to meet me after a big day walking the 5 corbetts from glen tilt to Glen Feshie. Boy was I ill. I have been lucky throughout this journey but something got to me that evening, having the runs on the hill is not fun - enough said. Manny carried my pack over the last hill of the day while I crawled along behind and he brought me a mountain bike to make the next day easier.

My 2 hills in the Gaick pass were vertical grass slopes, so much so that I did not have to bend down to eat all the blaeberries and crowberries which are abundant at the moment.
A long cycle out to Kingussie ended with a well needed shower, chippy, red wine and bed chez Manny and Brenda. My trip round the cairngorms finished with an ascent of the Fara this morning, I was very surprised to meet someone else on the hill and had to stop for a photo and a wee pic with Alan Chan, it's not often you meet someone on a corbett.

Meanwhile my friend Clare who had came all the way up from Glasgow had to go looking and finding my elusive mobile phone which i had managed to lose yet again on a wee 'comfort break' on my cycle to the hill.

The ling is purple at its best, the deer grass is deer coloured, the asphodel is turning burn orange and there is Devil's Bit everywhere. I'm walking into autumn with 22 hills to go.....

its not too late to share or donate
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Heading east.....

En route east now and so far it's been hot, clegless and purple. Yes the heather has arrived and it is indeed Bonny Scotland. I have come through Loch Lochy, Glen Roy, the Corrieyarrick Pass, Kingussie, Strathdearn and am now in Aviemore.
I have had company on the hill from Manny and Brenda. In 2008, Manny ran all the corbetts in 70 days, ( don't compare, fine race horse and pack mule come to mind!). It has been great to be able to discuss the journey with someone who has been there and to get  a few hints and tips on the route plan.

A couple of days ago when I had come over from Kingussie to Strathdearn a big, big day, Manny and his mate Geoff had cycled in a mountain bike which saved me an extra 12km walking and then Rob arrived with all my camping kit and a picnic. The support is amazing. 

Yesterday I was heading up Meall a Buachille when I came across a motley crew. My team from my work with the Venture Trust were out on the hill. I have wondered from the start if I would come across them somewhere. it was great to see them and catch up on what has been happening. The girls are doing well this year, Holly and Laura have been Hoofing it Home (virgin money giving hoofing it home), a journey they undertook with their horses from Aberfeldy to the Lake district raising money for the Venture Trust, their human charity and World Horse Welfare, their horsey one on the way. A superb journey and one I am looking forward to reading up on.

That's if for now. I am now on my way east and there is a lot of miles in between each of the hills out there. Only 53 to go ..........

Ardgour and Moidart, a turning point

I was on the Ardgour, Moidart peninsula for 8 days in total and it turned out to be pretty tough. One evening cycling from Strontian to Garbh Bheinn in a torrential downpour I lost my map. The next day, I got up early and retraced my steps but could not find it being a Sunday and very misty i thought it may be difficult to get one and so changed my plans to climb 2 hills i did have a map for, Cruach Beinn and Fuar Beinn. On the cycle to start the route my bike chain snapped and I managed to fix it but it snapped again.

Hollie to the rescue - a friend of a friend came out and got my bike while I took the chance of the mist clearing and headed up Garbh Bheinn without a map, the mist cleared as the day went on and I managed to pull something out of the day with the bonus of being invited to stay the night with Hollie, Ishbel and Dugald, dry off for the night and watch the world cup.

The following day Rob and his nephews drove all the way down from Conon Bridge to fix my bike chain while i went off to climb Cruach Bheinn and fuar Bheinn. Torrential rain and strong winds again made the going pretty hard work made even more so when I discovered on top of the first summit I had lost my compass. Not good. I managed to use the wind direction to navigate my way down to the bealach and up to the next summit but do not recommend this as a navigation tool. I was trashed, drookit and feeling pretty drained by the time I came off of here and booked into a b and b to dry out. The next day was a tough round of Beinn na h-uama, Sgurr Dhomhuill, and Carn na Natrach, bonnie but lots of steep ascents and descents and it was a good 10 hours on the hill. A cycle round the peninsula the next day to climb Sgurr Coire A chearcaill, blessedly straightforward once we found the track! I was joined this day by Irene and Janice, 2 women from Perth mountaineering club who had being staying at the b and b. It was a long time since I had company on the hill and the time passed quickly and pleasantly, at least until the girls left and I had to fix yet another puncture in the pissing rain. A frustrating time was spent trying to get the rear wheel back on the bike before setting up camp on the shore of Loch Eil.

There are not too many corbetts where you get the chance to stay on a ridge all day and the round of Sgurr craobh a chaorainn, sgurr guibsachan and bealach an Sgridain  is a cracking high level traverse and a good way to finish the peninsula.
I was happy to cycle away the next morning though, it felt like I had reached a turning point and I was cycling into the sunshine..............................

A well overdue update from Lorraine in Moidart ..........................................................

26 days and 53 hills after my last blog, whoops where has the time gone? I have come through Strathfarrar, Strathconon, Torridon, The Coulin Forrest, Applecross, Torridon, Achnashellach, Inverinate Forrest, Glen Affric, Glen Shiel, Knoydart, Glen Dessary, Glen Kingie, and Glenfinnan.

The weather began to turn at last in Glen Affric where i had the chance for the first time to stay in the Ault Beithe hostel, a very special place and a great evening where I shared celebrating my half way mark with Alisdair who had just finished his second round of munros. A few wee drams were had by all.

I have had lots of sunshine, cloud inversions, high camps, misty sunrises and sunsets. I have seen a wild boar with her baby, a pine marten washing its paws right in front of me, had a baby deer follow me down the mountain, watched lots of other hinds with their babies, the stags running together and ptarmigan chicks are everywhere.

Spring has become high summer with bell heather and ling, the bog is a carpet of colour with deep red and orange smagnum moss,  wispy bog cotton, sundew and bog asphodel. I had my first blaeberries of the year on the 27th June on Sgurr an Airsid.

I have been midged, clegged and ticked but the worse by far is the bracken. I have spent many days fighting my way up hills on pathless terrain tripping, slipping, getting ankles tied in the lower stems and not being able to see over the top. Never, ever, ascend Sgurr Coire Conneachan direct from the Gleann Dubh Loch in Knoydart! Day of the Triffids comes to mind! Mountains that used to be purple are now only green because of how much the bracken has gotten hold.

People are few and far between on these hills. Perhaps they know about the bracken. Yesterday I met my first people on a hill since Beinn Damh in Torridon, over 40 hills ago. I have met people in the glens and bothies though. The Cape Wrath Trail seems to be particularly popular.

Support is still coming big time from Rob who appears with bikes, fresh raspberries, real bread and cheese, clean clothes, dry shoes, and takes away rubbish, smelly clothes and seriously smelly shoes. Help has also come from others like Kalie in Applecross, a good friend and yet another member of the Creag Dhont MC. A long overdue thankyou to Kalie for moving my bike , joining me on the hill, eating with me in the Applecross Inn (always a hard one that), putting me up, doing my washing, moving my bike, moving my bike again and did I mention the Green and Blacks Chocolate I found in my back pack!

Support also comes from complete strangers, like Jimmy from Glen Loy who looked after my pack while I was on the hill, made me dinner, gave me his spare room to stay in and entertained me for the evening with his fell running stories and tales of a retired driving examiner. Great evening and great guy. Thank you Jimmy and Izzy..

Yesterday I had my best mountain day by far on the five corbetts just south of Glenfinnan. The Druim Farclash Ridge which joins the 2 in the east with the 3 in the west is a long, scrambly ridge, knife edged in parts. I have not worked out the overall ascent yet but 13 hours after starting I was back at my bike, tired, burnt, thirsty and high as a kite. Still buzzing a half hour later when I cycled into Glen Uig.

And now i am supposedly having a well deserved day off but as the weather is due to break tomorrow, I used this afternoon to cycle to Resipol. Tomorrow I climb Ben Resipol and head over towards the Ardgour hills and then it's time to head east.

79 to go................

My body is holding up, I am a wee bit smaller and browner these days but my poor wee feet are taking a hammering. I've lost a few nails and they are starting to feel a little tender. Thank God for walking poles.

The fundraising is going well, over £2,500 now.  Please help spread the word. It's a good cause.

www.justgiving.com/lorraine-mccall

Great news....Lorraine has reached half way....she did her 111th Corbett yesterday followed by an overnight at Glen Affric hostel.  Photos will follow and a big thank to the kind people who have donated recently and helped with logistics etc....keep spreading the word!!
www.lorrainemccall.com
www.justgiving.com/lorraine-mccall

Heading South

I have spent the last few days coming through Glen Calvie, Glen Mhor and Glen Beag and out to the Fannichs and Little Wyvis. It is always good to have company but it also also feels good to be moving on my own again. This was new ground for me and some wonderful glens surrounded by the higher mountains of Seanna Braigh, Beinn Dearg and Am Fogach.

In retrospect I could have made this easier for myself and moved a little quicker had I taken a day pack, cycling with a full backpack on a mountain bike up hill into a head wind aint too much fun. But the down hill bits were great and camping out in the glen was eerie. it's a big wild place and i felt very little.
I am now at home having cycled here from Little Wyvis, my local hill. I am getting on top of blogs and replanning as I have changed my route a lot from the start.
I have now been out for 2 months, travelled through Spean Bridge, Kinlochleven, Glencoe, Glen Etive, Glen Creran, Glen Orchy, The Trossachs, Arrochar, The Borders, Arran, Jura, Mull, Rum, Skye, Harris, the Flowerdales, The Fisherfields, The Inverlael Forrest, Assynt, The Far North, Glen Calvie, Glen Attadale, and the Fannichs. I have climbed 89 mountains and raised over £2000.
I reckon things are going okay but i do want to raise more cash. The more people who know and follow, the better.
It has taken a while to get fit but I am now ready to step up a gear, I  now want to try and get my average hill numbers per day up. I reckon this will happen as the biggest distances between the mountains are over.
If anyone out there would like to offer support  in the shape of motivation on the mountains or bike and food logistics when off the hills please get in touch.
I now plan to go Strathfarrar, Strathconon, Torridon, Applecross, Strathcarron to Glen Shiel, down to Knoydart, Moidart, Ardnamurchan then over the Monadliath to the Cairngorms. At some point I am planning to finish on Beinn vrackie.
It's going to be tough and it's going to be fun.
I would like to say a big thankyou to all you guys who have helped so far, I could not do this on my own. And to all those who have donated. It is difficult to keep on top of this and thank people personally but it is all appreciated. Please keep spreading the word. Apologies for the lack of facebooking but it takes time to hang around and try to get a message to send. They will be there, just not so often.
Tarrathenoo : )

The Far North

I am sitting at home, having cycled here from Little Wyvis and have a little time at last to update my blog before going onto Strathfarrar.
Assynt and the Far North held lots of  challenges.
Going from Cul Beag to Cul Mor on the first day in Assynt Rob and I struggled to find the joining route and after Rob's achilles started to play up and he headed back to the car , I decided to go for the direct line up Cul Mor finding some very interesting rock and vertical heather in the process! The lesson here is read the guide books. It is still kinda fun though, in retrospect anyway.
The first

real horror was later that evening after enjoying a 3 course meal cooked by Rob and being left on my own with the midge. I pitched my tent very quickly and jumped in, only to find a hole about the size of a mobile phone in the inner. I have know idea what happened but it looked as if a little animal had chewed its way through. A hasty repair was carried out with duck tape but I still slept rather fitfully that night, with visions of a tent full of midge.
The next few days were spent wandering over mountains in the mist with some sunny cycling moments thrown in, with Rob appearing here and there, doing an excellent job of  keeping me fed, watered and motivated.
The next big challenge was Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughaill. In haste the evening before I had given Rob some maps to put in my bike for my next cycle drop at Strabeag Bothy. Unfortunately this included the main map of this hill which lies over 3 maps but I had only noticed 2 until I was in my tent in a glen with no phone signals. The morning was wet and misty and it was with some trepidation I decided to go for the hill anyway. Don't try this at home, 9 hours later a very wet and weary Lorraine(see summit pic) put up her tent in a breeze and scoffed a fine evening meal outside at Lone.
Slow again the next day on compass bearings in the mist going over Arkle and Foinaven but payback in the late evening as the sun began to go down and the cloud and mist dropped. Foinaven had let me in. I was not in a hurry to leave the cloud inversions and Brocken Spectres on the summit ridge and it was after 10 before I returned to my wee tent at The Bealach Horne.

After the day

without a map and moving so slowly in the mist on Arkle and foinaven, I decided it was time to step up a gear and was up early the next morning in the sunshine to climb up Meall Horne before meeting June and Geoff again. They had also been on Quinag when I was there, and Arkle the previous day but are DEFINITELY NOT doing all the corbetts. I still had to do the long trek down to Strabeag bothy to climb Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnlaidh.  The Gods were not with me, however, and again not knowing the ground, I dropped over a bealach early and spent hours bog trotting to get to the bothy whereas with a bit of local knowledge I would have stayed on high ground until close by. All was not lost however and mid afternoon saw me heading into the bog again on the way to my next 2 hills. It was a hot day and hard work and initially when I heard cries I thought it was a lamb, then I thought it was a baby but as they became more insistent I realised that I was hearing cries for help.

I turned and realised that the cries were coming from a crag on the south side of Loch Eriboll and started heading towards them not giving too much heed to the bog until suddenly I was in up to my hips and finding it really difficult to get back out and for five minutes all the ground round about me looked like it was breathing and I was sinking. Fear for the girl who was screaming help overcame my own fear and I eventually dragged myself out of there looking like a creature emerging from the deep. I started calling to the girl that I was on my way and then spotted her clinging on to a bush halfway up the crag. She was not hurt but had got stuck on the crag, I could see a bag at the bottom and thought she had been climbing although she was alone. Still convinced she had climbed up there and the ground looking pretty steep, I said I would get in touch with mountain rescue and she was a little calmer. I then spotted 2 lads who had also heard the screams climbing up towards her in their wellies. I had some trepidation about this as the ground was really steep and said I would alert mountain rescue anyway. I went along the track as far as i needed to send the text then returned. The lads had managed to get to her and were helping her climb out of the niche she was in and around the side of the crag. I retrieved her bag and went to join them. 

Natalie was a geology student who was mapping the land above the crag, when her bag had fallen she started to make her way down to get to it when she started to get stuck. She had been screaming for over an hour to try to alert people on the road but there was no one around until the 3 of us arrived. She was shaken but unhurt and when her heroes, 2 brothers from Tain, Gary and Martin suggested a beer and some whisky to calm things down, I decided the hills could wait till the morning and after retexting mountain rescue all was okay, I joined them. The lads had been about to go on a fishing trip to drink a wee glass or 2 of Jura in memory of their friend Barney who had died the previous year. They were happy to be sidetracked and to take Natalie back to her lodgings in the full knowledge that Barney would have enjoyed the tale.  Well done lads.

The next morning i was up at the crack of dawn and up Cranstackie and Beinn Spionnlaidh before cycling to Tongue with all my kit in some torrential downpours and head winds. A drowned rat was very happy to spend a night in the hostel there and catch up with my friends Dave and Wendy who know how to look after a lass. Steak with chilli and red peppers was washed down with a fine Corbieres and some cheese and a 1999 Connoisseurs choice Caol Islay to finish. My taste buds are now working overtime and this was amazing, as was the banter. Not so great first thing the next morning as we cycled off south to climb Beinn Loyal, the weather was closing in but we managed to make the summit and were treated to some cracking views before the rain arrived. The day finished at the Crask Inn, one of my favourite places run by Mike and Kai, two wonderful people.and we were joined by Rob for another very fine meal before all cycling south in the morning. I said goodbye to my friends at Bonar Bridge and headed off towards Glen Calvie, a little sad to say goodbye to the far north.

Sorry that updates have been few and far between recently, that has been due to a lack of internet access but Lorraine is doing well and approaching her 90th hill.  Lorraine will update her blog soon when she has wi fi (and time) to do it.

One special mention which was left out of earlier blogs must go to Iain and Debbie at St Rule House, B&B in Ardrossan, www.strulehouse.co.uk who looked after Lorraine so well the night before she set sail for the Islands.  They have a wonderful and unique home which is very welcoming and well worth a visit.  Yesterday outside the Crask Inn in Caithness we bumped into Nigel Gardner who is cycling Lands End to John o Groats and had stayed with Iain and Debbie who had told him about Lorraine's journey......its a small world!!!!!

Keep spreading the word :)

Rob  

Heading North

One journey ends and another begins. I am always amazed at the kindness and support of people when carrying out a big journey and these next few days were no exception. I was met by Kev and my road cycle when i came out of the Fisherfields.

While I cycled down to Braemore junction Kev drove my kit around and we took it on to Leckmelm where I was staying that night before Kev returned me to the junction to climb Beinn Enaiglair, my last hill before heading north. Kev had spent the morning picking up kit I had left at Badachro, then my bike at Poolewe before coming to meet me and sorting me out at Leckmelm. 

Although not there, my friend Paul had offered me the use of his house in Leckmelm for the night. The Fisherfield trip had been full on and it was great to have a place to stop and rest for the night and enjoy a real fire.

I was in no hurry to leave the next morning and it was lunchtime when my friend Dave arrived to take all my kit north and to cycle with me to Assynt. We cycled to Elphin where I was coming back to climb Cul Mor and Cul Beag the following morning before Dave whisked me away to join himself and his mates for the evening at Beinn More Lodge which they had hired for the week. It was great to be back here as a guest this time. Years before when I had been a student I worked a couple of summer seasons for the Vestey Family and had spent some time housekeeping and cooking here.

This was a very different experience however, drinking whisky having the crack and being entertained by some great music. So thankyou to Kev, Paul, Dave, George, John, Fergus, Bruce, and Raymond 

                                              

The boys have looked after me well and set me up for my journey into the Wilds of Assynt, where I might just meet another boy who has been gallivanting around the States!.

The Fisherfields

It was the first time  had taken the track from Poolewe to the Fionn Loch. This is a beautiful, wild part of the country.  The sun was shining and all was good with the world....... until I missed my turning daydreaming and ended up on the western shores of Fionn Loch. Bonny, but not where I wanted to be. An ex partner  once said

'there is an easy way, a hard way, and Lorraine's way which is the most bloody, awkward way to go'

This was one of those days, instead of having the sense to retrace my steps, I stomped off over the Bad Bog (there should have been a clue there). With my full pack, including 5 days food, this became quite an expedition trudging through mud and peat bog, but I still had time to do an evening climb of Beinn Airigh Charr before heading down to camp at the causeway of the Fionn Loch.  A slight breeze held the midges at bay and I was able to sit outside and enjoy the evening sun.

An early start the next morning saw me on the summit ridges of Beinn Lair for 0730, it could have been earlier but this is a mountain to savour, her nooks and crannies a climber's paradise. When I reached the cairn, I stopped to place my poles for a summit pic and realised I had left them down when I stopped for a pee en route to the summit through a very large boulder field.  A frustrating hour was then spent trying to retrace my steps and doing a sweep search of the area before heading down for breakfast. I was in no hurry to leave this peaceful spot but the sun was getting high in the sky. It was going to be a scorcher ad I packed up and headed for the high pass to Shenevall taking in Beinn a Chaisgein Mor en route. Some good banter was had in the bothy that evening but I retired early to my wee tent as I had a big day coming up starting with the long sought after peaks of Beinn Dearg Mhor and Beinn Dearg Beag.

I was not disappointed the next morning. The Fisherfields were being kind and an easy river crossing and some steep walking saw me early on Beinn Dearg Mhor but a long day was still ahead. I scrambled over the pinnacles of Beinn Dearg Beag impressed with this craggy piece of land and headed down to the western shores of Loch na Sealga to cross over and carry on for Sail Mhor.

When doing a continual journey of the Corbetts there are a few hills who are outliers and there is no easy way to link them up. Sail Mhor is one such hill but the views from the summit north and west are worth the journey. It was another late night back to Shenevall and I was asleep right after dinner.

Big days have their payback and the next day it was wee tired legs which climbed Beinn a' Chlaidheimh, the demoted munro of the Fisherfield 6 but a worthy mountain on her own. On from here passed Loch an Nid to spend the evening at Lochivroan bothy before another early start the next morning saw me on the summit of Creag Rainich for 8 and an easy walk out passed the loch to the road end for mid morning.

For over a month the weather had been wild but a few days in the Fisherfield Forrest in perfect conditions had blown all the cobwebs away. I was happy.

Back on land - Badachro to Poolewe

It was a tired Lorraine who cycled away from Badachro last Friday morning to head into Beinn an Eun and Baosbhein. I had been thwarted during this journey by rain and mist and today was not to be any different. Enthusiasm was waining as I trudged my way across Beinn an Eon and Baosbhein on compass bearings. I had wanted to come here for years but the Gods were not being kind. These are two long complex mountains and I am looking forward to going back again when I can choose the weather. 12 hours after leaving Badachro I was back on my bike heading for Pam and Doug's at Kinlochewe, a shelter in any storm.
I had planned to stay for the one night but as it was so late i decided to stay for two and the next day had company on the hill from Daisy and Jack, a cocker spaniel and a collie. The weather was better but energy levels were low and I decided Meall Guthais was enough for the day, leaving Ruadh Stac Beag until I was back this way in a few weeks time. It was a beautiful afternoon on returning to Kinlochewe, and there was time to feed the ducks, learn all about organic beekeeping and generally chill before cycling north the next day to Poolewe and heading into  the Wild West for 5 days.......

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Lorraine McCall 221 Corbetts in 2014: Harris and the final sailing days

Lorraine McCall 221 Corbetts in 2014: Harris and the final sailing days: It was lovely to arrive on Harris on a beautiful, calm afternoon after the kicking we had all had on Skye. Leaving Graham and Paul t...

Harris and the final sailing days

It was lovely to arrive on Harris on a beautiful, calm afternoon after the kicking we had all had on Skye. Leaving Graham and Paul to do the anchor watch (otherwise known as testing out the local fish and chips!) the rest of us guys headed for An Cliseam in the company of Isi Oakley who had brought her brand, spanking, new roadbike down for me to cycle to the hill and what a joy it was!

It was a good chance to catch up with Isi who moved to the island earlier this year. Isi knows all about the Scottish weather as she has been working in the outdoors as a winter mountain leader but even she stated she had to reconsider her idea of what a windy day was since moving to the islands. 

It was gutting to get to the summit just as the mist moved in, meaning we did not get the views far out west. Not that anyone was too daunted and we headed back doon the hill in high spirits. I was particularly happy to be cycling back down the hill to Tarbett. We said out goodbyes (and big thankyous) to Isi and headed back for the boat in the knowledge the winds were picking up and we ony had a small weather window to get back across the Minch.

That weather window was at 5 the next morning when we made our first attempt to leave the island only to be turned back by gusting 30 knots of wind to reassess the situation. 

This is where experience comes in useful and for the next while Graham looked at various, weather forecasts and watched the clouds realising the gusts we had experienced were funnelling down a glen from the island and half an hour later saw is setting sail again and sure enough coming through the gusts and out into the Minch.

This was not to be a crossing with many views and one of Wendy's many jobs was to act as the foghorn, letting any other vehicles know we were around.

We sailed through the mist into a beautiful, sunlit Badachro Bay. A perfect end to an amazing sailing jourey. 

As well as being beautiful, Badachro turned out to be a warm and welcoming place to spend the last while sorting out kit, cleaning the boat and of course having a few beers. 

A good fun night was spent in the bar with Tom, Sue, Mary and Peter who look after The Isle of June Yacht Charters. My crew were also not finished their work in supporting the challenge.  A big thankyou to the guests and owners of the Badachro inn for their kind donations. 

And a very big thankyou to Tom and Sue (pictured above) for looking after me so well, before my  journey back on land began again. I still have not got over the chicken and sweet potato curry!

John's blog

Lorraine’s Corbett Round: Week Two of the Sailing and walking the Island Peaks by John

Wow what a week! We all came together in mallaig and our goal if we chose to accept it was to support Lorraine’s Corbett round and to do whatever necessary. If only we knew what challenges lay ahead ;-).

 It was brilliant to meet up with everyone who we were to share the experience with. Lorraine being the initial glue helping the group to bond it was clear everyone would get on like a house on fire. This was optimised by the fact I asked Lorraine ‘’how long she had known Graham’’ (our brilliant skipper) to which she replied ‘’just one week’’. This ability to engage with people is rare and amazing mirrored throughout our journey with all we met and at times people who helped us..... This aspect proves that the highland and island hospitality is still alive and well and long may it continue! 

 The trip its self had many thrills and spills, from technical problems with the boat to extreme weather on the boat as well as the mountain.  All seemed to get solved with a cup of tea or on occasion with a wee dram and in the most part with smiles on our faces! The memorable moments for me are of the a windswept day code for ‘’shite’’ on garve bhein (skye) I sneakily feel that everyone was thinking that it was no place for man nor beast and maybe we would fall at our first hurdle but no one would maintain this thought for long but instead the attitude was to battle on even with folks getting blown off their feet. In my mind this determination was the ultimate metaphor of the Lorraine’s immense undertaking and something I am in awe of!

Secondly the crack on the boat this kept moral high with everyone playing their part and bantering through the various problems that needed to be solved.

 Finally the joy of sharing the final Corbett of the islands An Cliseam (Harris) where the mood was high and sun was shining. The perfect finish to the walking on the islands and it felt like a party on the mountain side with Lorraine emitting a glow of a satisfaction Caz, Wendy, Katie and now joined by Izzy our local guide ;-), and on return to the boat was the ever present smiles and humour of Paul and Graham greeting us back with good food and tales to share. Now looking back we have had awesome times and feel privileged to support something so immense if only for one week.... On and on the Corbett round goes and in aide of a great cause that touches all of us.

Caz's blog

Caz’s blog

‘Determination in the face of adverse conditions (by Lorraine at any rate)’

I’m now sitting at home enjoying a cup of coffee after a hot shower. I am writing my contribution two days late, knowing that Lorraine will be back out in the hills already, battling with the unpromising weather forecast to get to the next set of hills. When I think about Lorraine’s undertaking this summer, that determination to continue regardless is what I am struck by and that is why it was a privilege to be able to join her for a part of her journey.  As we sailed around to Skye from Mallaig it seemed that we might get lucky with the two Skye Corbett’s as our goal. But, by the time that Paul had rowed Lorraine, John and I to shore the weather had already started to crap out. It wasn’t long before we were soaked through to the skin. However, we figured that a bit of rain was to be expected and that the two hills were achievable. We were in fact quite wrong. The further up the ridge we got, the stronger the wind became, until Lorraine and I were struggling to make progress in the gusts. With the three of us linked together though, we made progress onwards (not to mention the classic crouched crawl along the narrowest bits). It was sheer determination on the part of Lorraine that we did not back off of the hill and it was a happy feeling knowing that we had reached the top of the first Skye hill without being blown off of it (although that did happen on the way down). By that point we’d realised that the wind had slowed us down enough that the second hill was unlikely, but we were still hopeful that we’d get down in time to catch up with the boat before it set sail for Portree. Unfortunately that wasn’t to be, so after negotiating some kayak-worthy burns we were back on the road where we started, walking into winds that were still slowing us down and soaking us to the skin. At this point I knew that I would have a choice the next day about whether to head out into the hills or to seek refuge in a warm dry boat (or pub). Lorraine on the other hand would not only be back out on the hill regardless, but she would also have to bike from the Slig back to Portree at the end of the day. Whereas those of us who did walk with her the next day on Skye and the following day on Harris had the luxury of car travel to and from the hills, making it much, much easier for us. However, it’s not just Lorraine’s relentless determination, even when she was feeling the pace, which sticks in my mind when I think about the three days on the hill with her (not to mention her being THE competent crew for the seven days at sea). No, what really sticks with me is the look of pleasure and contentment that she had on her face as the six of us walked up the hill on Harris, a woman still totally in her element. I hope that while I’m drinking coffee in the city, Lorraine taking pleasure in the solitude and simplicity now that the logistics of the islands phase is finished, with the knowledge that her achievement will also benefit others through the money raised and the inspiration that she is giving to people around her.

 

Wendy's Blog

Wendy's blog

My week on the Iona was a huge experience, not all of it good! As a complete sailing novice used to being a knowledgeable and helpful kind of person in normal life, it pained me to feel so inexpert and unable to be of much use when all hands were needed. However, by our third sail, across the Minch from Harris, I was becoming more relaxed and confident about it all. I may never sail again – like Lorraine, the hills remain my passion – but I have come away with a real appreciation of the skill and knowledge involved. And the memories that linger are of classic West coast views and the sense of being on the seas, including our eerie approach to Badachro in fog.

My other enduring memories are all about people. Skipper Graham is a remarkable man: not only an excellent teacher whose competence and calmness inspired confidence, but also from the start he had a fantastic easy going manner with us, his diverse and motley crew. Sharing the experience in such intimate quarters, we found common bonds – over food, politics, cards. And united by our love of Lorraine, we worked well as a team and found new friends. I really appreciated the quiet presence and encouraging words offered when I took the helm!

Our first afternoon on Skye became a catalogue of small calamities. While Lorraine, Caz and John were being buffeted on the tops and Caz’s cheekbone collided with Cuilin rock, the rest of us watched Paul and dingie drift across Portree harbour in the same storm force winds. Then, as we attempted to moor the Iona to the pontoon, her engine failed and Paul used his foot as a fender – ! – as we veered towards a moored fishing boat. The heroes of the day were the good folk of Portree, whose kindness at every turn brought solutions and good cheer – Donald from the Pier Hotel and his brother who got Paul and the dingie back to our mooring; the two barmaids and regulars in the bar that night who rallied to find us a bike to get Lorraine back from Sligachan; Gus’s taxi service who did the round trip that night and back the next morning for far less than the normal fare; the harbour master who let us move further up the pier; the fisherman who came back unasked at low tide to remove detritus from the jammed propeller; and the Chippy owner who let us use his water tap. Heartfelt thanks to all.

In Portree, I was struck by just how much people are moved by Lorraine’s story and willing to donate to cancer charities. There and elsewhere folk we’d met just came back and quietly handed over a note.  We heard from the Sgitheanach of a local lad (Ali Kaye?) who had run nearly 5 marathons in length around Skye over 35 hours in April, raising £31,000 for cancer research. I guess everyone has been touched by cancer and can respect the effort required of Lorraine to meet her challenge. So this is something all her friends can do to support her: while she is slogging up the hills, each of us can be using our own networks to tell Lorraine’s story and raise money for Macmillan Cancer support on her behalf.  Go to it!

Paul’s blog

The seas were unforgiving for the seven crew aboard Iona, throwing every kind of weather at us during our week with Lorraine. Our mission was a determined one though, to ensure Lorraine could complete her island leg of her epic journey for Macmillan Cancer Support.

I don’t have much experience on sailing boats and the little I do was certainly put to the test this time. I had a few alarming episodes where I felt out of my depth metaphorically and literally (gale force winds and a rubber dinghy don't mix well ). I found that in a very short space of time and without warning, events can suddenly become frightening and out of control leaving you very vulnerable and unsure of the outcome. I was thankful to have an able and competent crew watching my back all the time, in particular Graham the skipper. Thanks Graham you’re a rock. 

  It’s an amazing comfort when you enter in to the unknown, be it a sailing trip or a phase of ill health, to know that you are not alone and that there is an able and competent crew watching your back and supporting you through thick and thin. 

 Cancer is an unforgiving shit, throwing all kinds of weather at you. In a short space of time and without warning events can suddenly become frightening and out of control leaving you very vulnerable and unsure of the outcome. 

  The able and competent crew that is Macmillan Cancer Support (link) are determined in their mission to provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care. 

 One in three of us will get cancer and it’s the toughest thing most of us will ever face. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or a loved one has, you’ll want a team of people in your corner supporting you every step of the way. 

So please support Lorraine every step of the way by clicking below as she conquers the Corbetts in support of those who supported her.

                             http://www.justgiving.com/lorraine-mccall 

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The Skye Hills

When I did my munro round in 2005, Skye was one of the toughest sections  due to the weather conditions. 9 years later, again Skye has proven to be testing. May is not necessarily the best month to be here.
After a crew change in Mallaig, we had to spend a day there sheltering from the wind before heading for Loch Ainort in deteriorating conditions. It was early afternoon when the boat dropped myself, John and Caz to climb the 2 Skye corbetts. By this time the sunshine had given way to a downpour and we headed up into the mist. As the ridge narrowed, the wind blew up and by the time we were close to the summit we were often been blown offf our feet by the strong gusts which sounded more like a train hurtling passed.
En route down when we had relaxed a little from the gusts a blast came from nowhere and Caz was whipped off her feet and in order to avoid hitting me, jumped to the side and tumbled over the rocks smashing her face in the process. Not a good moment but Caz, whose cheek was very quickly doubling in size and the colour around her eye going from blue to purple, did not stop smiling and we just got up and got moving again. It was not long before we realised that the torrential rain was going to make some of the rivers unpassable and it took a while going back uphill to find a good crossing point. There was not a chance of doing another hill that day.
Meanwhile, the boat had not been able to wait around for us in the gale force westerly winds and had sought shelter in Portree and that is another tale best told by one of the crew. We did not know this, having no phone signal and John hitched on to let the boat know what had happened while Caz and I did a long, slow trudge in pissing rain to the Sligachan where i planned to stay the night. No room at the inn, however, and when we heard the boat had engine problems we decided to head for Portree to find out what had happened and resume in the morning. Three little drowned rats arrived on the boat later that evening to be told the tales of engine failure, and Paul having to be rescued from a dinghy which was too difficult to control in the wind.
The next morning John, Caz and I peeled on wet clothes to go back to the Sligachan to climb Glamaig. As I still had to get back to Portree, I gave Mike Lates, from Skye Mountain Guides,  a call. He had been helpful 9 years before on the Skye ridge when I was pretty trashed by  showing me a good shortcut to get from the base of the King's Chimney on the Cuillin Ridge. Yet again he came out tops and a couple of hours later we were in the Sligachan Hotel having a pint with Mike who had arrived with a bike for me to cycle back to Portree.

The Gods had been a little kinder this day and it was a beautiful evening. Iona was drying out alongside the wall and we had a couple of hours to enjoy a beer before moving off to spend the night on a mooring with a beautiful sunset. We had a small weather window to get to Harris and planned to leave very early the next day.......

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