GLENFINNAN EAST
From Gulvain summit looking along the ridge southwards. Photo http://big-gorse-bush.blogspot.com/
10.8 miles 937 metres
Start Thursday 10.12
Gulvain 11.32
Finish 12.35
Squares: yellow - changeover, red - finish. Circles summits - green - this leg, red - done. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 2.45 Actual 2.23
John writes:
Panic! Tony could be at the changeover in an hour or so rush rush rush – drive a little way up the glen then out and onto mountain bike. Fast tarmac track up to weird new house at Corryhully, then an increasingly rough but just rideable track up to very near the col. 45 minutes and a lot of sweat saw me in bivvy at the appointed spot – along with lots of midges.
Tony appeared after about an hour – no need for all the rush then set off contouring round into Gleann Camgharaidh. Good route through crags on little deer tracks, ascend 2/3rds of Braigh nan Uamhachan contouring round into Gualann nan Osna and a steep ascent through grass and rocks to saddle of Gulvain. Nice route – more like mountain marathons.
Descended south into valley to try and get fast damp descent; probably not a good choice as the ridge from Gulvain looked good from the bottom. Met Colin and bike and lucozade at head of track for a man vs. bike race – man won! But track was fairly awful.
Peaks done 111 time taken 5 days 10 hours peaks to go 166
Colin Powell our amazing mothership driver and general support (Note he is not the same as Colin Matheson who produces our maps)
Colin had cycled up the glen to provide John with refreshment and road shoes for the long run back down the glen. He arrived back a few seconds after John amazed at his speed on the track.
Alwyn had already taken the car across to Mull as security in case there was a queue for the ferry. I drove the van to Lochaline, the only time that it was used to carry the baton any more than a tiny distance. Nevertheless the road was clear and I made good progress, arriving just in time for the official departure time, so I leaped out and ran aboard. Ian who had been sleeping(?) in the back was left to park it. In fact the boat had a mechanical fault and we had a twenty minute delay.
The other end was another flying start with me leaping off the boat and jumping into the car which departed with a screech of tyres before the ramp was down.
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