The west Highland Way, Lairigmor, Scotland

The west Highland Way,  Scotland

I was lucky, the morning brought some sun after a few days of rain , the first climb of the day is the called "Devils Staircase " a simple climb of 250 m, basically nothing, quite steep for a while but nothing, This is the highest point of the West Highland Way, so you can get the idea that the trail goes more into valleys than mountain crest. A little disappointed with that but is a beautiful trail.

Going down into the town of Kinlochleven I spot a hiking pole coming out from a bin, one was broken and the other was perfect, It was a black diamond ultra distance... a really good pole in carbon fiber. Last weekend was a race over here so someone must break one and just throw both....Like my extra hiking pole.

For this season I bought the Fizan 158 g poles, really happy with those. In this town I resupply a little and have some hot food and in the evening start the last part of the trail, finishing in Fort Williams.

The west Highland Way,  Scotland

There is some climb with views of the cost that put you into a Lairigmor Valley, with some old old stone houses, some sheep here and there, again more rain. It has been one of my favorite areas of the this trail and it is very accessible for anyone .Getting dark and trying to find somewhere to camp, nothing , walk more, found some possible camps but not perfect, no flat, to much water accumulation  It is one of those that you don't know if it is better to stop and camp or keep walking until find something better, finally it pay off, I found a flat dry area under some tree, thanks god , just what I need it. I am doing over 20 miles days without been in shape so I am struggling at the end of the days. The good news is that there is no midges here. the last days those midges had eaten me alive. Tomorrow last days.

The west Highland Way,  Scotland

The west Highland Way, Scotland , Rannoch Moors

The west Highland Way,  Scotland , Glen Coe entrance

I woke up with the sound of the rain, the rain is here and it would be until the end, weather forecast confirm, rain an more rain. The thing is that even raining it is not cold, is warm, so I still can go with shorts. I waited until 10.00 till rain stop to break camp, breakfast in Tyndrum and keep walking till Bridge of Orchy. I am getting frustrated with all this road noise walking so close to the road.....I though it would be more wild.

The west Highland Way,  Scotland , Rannoch Moors

In the afternoon this changed...First I got a rain shower , got soak and enter into the most inhabitant are of all United Kingdom. First you pass a beautiful lake with a cottage  where it was filmed one of the last movies of James Bond, the trail start to climb into the Rannoch Moor and here is where the sound of any cars disappear. This is the terrains most difficult to live. It is just undulation terrain with water all over. I did all this Moor raining but I really enjoy it, took many pictures. The path that I walk supposed to be built to move troops quickly in the area, are kind of military roads of the past.

The west Highland Way,  Scotland , Rannoch Moors

In the other side of the Valley you can see one of the most iconic valleys of Scotland, Glen Coe, I had the opportunity of drive by but not yet of hike it, this time I have not time. This area is quite special, you can think in all the history involve here and the different wars between the different clans and also the hardness and the beauty of this mountains.

I stop today at the entrance of Glen Coe, still raining. There is a pub just by where I got a drink and water. I decided to eat a sandwiches in the tent instead of cooking something because of the rain. Quite a few people in this camping site. Hopefully tomorrow I have some sun. It has been a long wet day but with a fantastic background. Tomorrow would be able to get very close to Ben Nevis and maybe climb it if there is a good weather forecast.