BEN WYVIS
The summit plateau of Ben Wyvis. Photo Colin Matheson
7.2 miles 900 metres
Start Wednesday 10.36
Ben Wyvis 11.37
Finish 12.05
Squares: blue - start and finish. Circles summits: green - this leg. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 2.00 Actual 1.30
I had just made my nth mug of tea when the car appeared. I grabbed the baton, and set off through the forest. I had previously used the route up the stream 300 metres south, but apparently Garbat was the normal start, (weeks later I know this to be false.) I was therefore surprised as the forest path dumped me onto a boggy moor, full of footprints but lacking any semblance of a path.
I had decided to knock half an hour off the two hour schedule, and pushed hard all the way, across the bog and up to the obvious plantation. From there I took a diagonal line all the way to the summit.
I just failed to get to the top in the hour, and knew I would have my work cut out to return in my personal target time. I took the ridge this time, and then plunged straight down the steep slope, which was the only time I felt my knees. I felt on cloud nine as I stretched out across the flatter bog. The euphoria was such that I raced an oncoming vehicle over the road for a 27 minute descent.
My mug of tea had not been found and I drank it still pleasantly warm – I'll bet that's an all time first.
Peaks done 96 time taken 4 days 9 hours peaks to go 181
John, Tony and I then took the van across to my home for a rest. Molly Forsyth, my neighbour, was going to do piles of washing for us, so we went there first. When we eventually left, we had had a long hot bath each, and been plied with sandwiches and cake.
After another meal, we went to bed with the phone by me. Unfortunately, at about nine o'clock I had a personal call which woke both me and Tony in the next room. Neither of us managed to get back to sleep, Tony worrying about the Gairlochy road being closed, and passing me a note with that information.
Meanwhile, at the sharp end, Alwyn was driven up to his start.
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