LOCH QUOICH EAST
Spidean Mialach & Gleouriach in the sunshine seen from Maol Chinn-dearg. PhotoAdventurerNic.com
5.1 miles 1111 metres
Start Sunday 16.05
Spidean Mialach 17.05
Gleouraich 17.52
Finish 18.26
Squares: green - start, red - finishes. Circles summits: green this leg map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 2.30 Actual 2.21
Rob Writes:
Parked up by Loch Garry and still trying to recover from my first run – no sleep in the night and I finally collapsed in the transit. We'd calculated I needed to be ready at the dam at 4.00 pm so I was astonished no-one woke me – it was 3.00 pm. A meal was ready and I got panicky about getting ready. John and Ian arrived in the car – Tony announced Ed may already be finished and as I was bundled into the van in a bemused state Ed arrived. He was naturally fuming but mercifully I never saw him – just heard him as I transferred to the car. A major cock up but after the initial panic I was calm enough to just get on with things. Lesson No. 2 – sleep in the van at changeovers – not elsewhere and ALWAYS assume the earliest possible time for incoming runners.
I'd done these hills in fine winter conditions before and found the summer version far less interesting – perhaps I just wasn't in the mood. Seemed to have recovered OK and moved steadily along the summit ridges above broad corries. The weather was still good – dull but dry and clear. A fast run down a grassy ridge but changeover in an awkward place – not end of track. Along the road, leaped into the back of the open transit van as Dave bolts up the road – bouncing me about in the rear. Now that was a proper changeover.
Peaks done 33 time taken 1 day 15 hours peaks to go 244
After Rob's return the mothership went back to Cluanie.The midges were probably at their worst here - not only outside, but in through the air vents of the mothership - there was just no escape. The use of midge coils improved matters if you could bear the smoke.
In the evening the van went off with Diana and John, and Alwyn trogged off to Glen Affric youth hostel, so I settled down for some much needed rest..... Then the climbing team dropped in on their way back to Liverpool. The evening got steadily more and more convivial, and Ian reluctantly left to wait for Dave. When Dave and Ian came back in shortly before midnight and Tony set off, I could see that Dave was not being given any consideration and was left to fend for himself but I felt too tired to step into the breach. I do not know when they left because I was fast asleep by then, but Colin was moaning about the lack of sleep for the third night running.
The following day, in answer to another of his moans, someone claimed to be fresh and with-it. So Colin asked which day it was - he got three different answers - all wrong!
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