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Challenge 27 11th to 24th May 2006 Total distance 407km (253 miles) Total ascent 12720m (41,340ft) 19 Munros 5 Corbetts |  |
I decided on two objectives within the Challenge framework for this years crossing:
1/ To cross from the furthest west, Ardnamurchan Point, to the furthest east, Keith Inch, Peterhead.
2/ To make the crossing over all the 4000ft peaks.
To get to Peterhead would obviously require a lot of road walking but by using minor roads and the old railway, now the 'Formartine and Buchan Way' it turned out to be a very pleasant route.
The weather was good at the start then turning wet and cold with bright showery conditions at the end.
I spent 14 nights under canvas, including the last night at the Montrose campsite, and one night at the Dalwhinnie Hotel walking a total distance of 253 miles (407km) with a total ascent of 41,540ft (12720m). My pack weight at the start was 10kg plus 6kg (7 days) food and I collected one food parcel on the way at Dalwhinnie. All food was 'Pack& Go' supplied by Be Well Nutrition. The total weight of everything (boots, clothes, poles, pack, etc) was 19kg, I think that this is the best way to look at your load weight and also the simplest (just stand on the bathroom scales wearing/carrying all your gear as you leave home!).
I had no real problems on route only sore feet from the roads (no blisters) and general fatigue from the climbing! The day length, excluding the two short days at the beginning and end, on average 10½hours, was fine as when camped in remote spots in poor weather there is nothing to do except sleep anyway.
NOTE 1 - Picture quality - The compression of the pictures for the account has produced some rather strange colour effects in the mist on some computers, this is not apparent in the originals, sorry.
NOTE 2 - A Munro is a mountain over 3000ft in height, a Corbett is a mountain over 2500ft and a Graham is over 2000ft.
Click on the button below to start the crossing:
