We’d been looking forward to revisiting this area and were particularly excited to hopefully taken in a number of Assynt’s finest peaks. The weather had other plans, as did a certain aquatic contraption that we’d become extremely attached to!
Before we crack on, keep in mind our list is by no means a complete and definitive list, just what we consider to be some of our own additional winter priorities. So, when you read this, take into account that we know you need a map and compass, headtorch and all that basic stuff. What we’d like to list are few little extra tips for winter.
I went over to explore these iceberg-like formations, one thing I wasn’t going to do was get in front of them! I’m all for a bit of adventure but surfing down the slab on one of these bad boys would be interesting, and super dangerous, especially when you hit that water of Loch Avon, it can be very cold you know!
We left Hamish at Taynuilt and took the train back to Tyndrum. You'll need to book your bikes on the train, its free though! We found that the trains bike hooks aren't big enough to fit fatty wheels, take a sling with you for each bike and you can strap your bike to the hook. Thankfully the train attendant was very helpful. The distance of the route is around 33m / 54km, get ready for a great trip. It can be done in a day but why rush it!
I’d put a months wages on it that you’ve probably driven past this hill more than once without paying it much attention! (You’re not getting my wages BTW!) Beinn a'Chrùlaiste sits on the edge of the A82 towards Glencoe. You may not have noticed it because you’ll likely have been looking at the magnificent lump that is, Buachaille Etive Mòr. It just so happens that arguably the best place to view said lump is from it’s wee neighbour.
Before we crack on, keep in mind our list is by no means a complete and definitive list, just what we consider to be some of our own additional winter priorities. So, when you read this, take into account that we know you need a map and compass, headtorch and all that basic stuff. What we’d like to list are few little extra tips for winter.
I went over to explore these iceberg-like formations, one thing I wasn’t going to do was get in front of them! I’m all for a bit of adventure but surfing down the slab on one of these bad boys would be interesting, and super dangerous, especially when you hit that water of Loch Avon, it can be very cold you know!
We left Hamish at Taynuilt and took the train back to Tyndrum. You'll need to book your bikes on the train, its free though! We found that the trains bike hooks aren't big enough to fit fatty wheels, take a sling with you for each bike and you can strap your bike to the hook. Thankfully the train attendant was very helpful. The distance of the route is around 33m / 54km, get ready for a great trip. It can be done in a day but why rush it!
As I sit here writing this blog and reflect on the subjects Stephen covered, I realise how much learning we had done and how our skills had improved. We didn't feel like we were being overloaded at the time, it just gently sank in, our bag of new skills slowly filling. We had some pure dead brilliant, classic Scottish banter with Stephen alongside the learning which really helped us relax and enjoy.
We thought we would share some adventures sent in by those active followers of our community. Who knows, something you have sent to us may be inspiring others.
The word ‘adventure’ means different things to different people based on prior experience but our definition has remained a constant. If you think you’re on an ‘adventure’ then you are.
We had planned an exciting adventure of packrafting on the Isle of Mull but the weather combined with our experience levels put a slight dampener on things. The sea state and winds were to be way outside of our comfort zone and because of that, we chose to save our plan for a later date.
However, we did manage to get some paddling done in the bay at Fidden Farm near Fionnphort before the blowy stuff arrived. We jumped in the rafts and were blessed with being followed by a seal. He really was cute!
And of course there's our website that we are constantly adding to, you may just find your next adventure there!
Its the one thing that can ruin an adventure even more than the weather. The dreaded MIDGE. Finding yourself under a 360° assault from these persistent little blood burglars is not a laughing matter, normally! The only time you can sit back and laugh is when you aren't the one running around screaming like a wild animal begging these airborne suckers for mercy.
When I say ASTONISHING, I mean it! The sun was cracking the earths shell and giving us thee most power and slightly emotional sunrise we could have wished for. Now, to say I’ve been excited and waiting for a perfect cloud inversion for quite some time would be an understatement! We were being treated to a full show of sunrise whilst sat on top of the clouds.
Weather was hot which ultimately altered our plan A. This wasn’t to spoil our adventure, in actual fact it made it more enjoyable! As always, plan A was possibly slightly over ambitious which involved a 9 km bike in, 4 km paddle and a summit camp on Sail Leith, the summit camp wasn’t to be, for now!
