GSXR1000 mishap so decided to hike about 90 miles instead!

[woo]

Took my GSXR 1000 up to Scotland but the fuel strainer inside the fuel pump became too contaminated after 11 years of use so decided to turn the biking holiday into more a hiking holiday and ended up hiking almost 90 miles over the 3 weeks.

After taking the bike from Spean Bridge to John O'Groats to Tongue then back to Spean Bridge the bike then had the problem which is now fixed.

This 15 mile hike began as:

Corriechoille to Spean Bridge to Corrour to Corriechoille

This must be the most epic hike I have ever done. (well it is my first real hike)

I woke up at 5.20 am to get ready (shower, make packed lunch, quick breakfast) then left my lodge at Corriechoille at 6.20 am to catch the 7.57 am train from Spean Bridge to Corrour.

From Corriechoille it is 2.5 miles to Spean Bridge train station and as I walk slow that’s a 1 hour walk.
Arrived at Spean Bridge train station at about 7.20 am and just chilled at the station until the 7.57 am train arrived.
Boarded the train and enjoyed the epic scenery on route to Corrour Station.

https://i.imgur.com/lAZ3gsD.jpg

Arrived at Corrour around 8.30 am and got off the train ready to begin the 12.5 mile hike back to Corriechoille.

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There was a little bit of drizzle so on came my water proof jacket.
The path beginning from the station is a well kept path so was easy and soon came across the sign for Spean Bridge 15 miles.

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Passed the Corrour summit sign wish I had time to actually hike up it, maybe I will next year!

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But soon it turned into a very narrow muddy path mixed in with bog.
Some of the bog reminded me of the dead marshes that Sam, Frodo and Smegol had to trek through in the dead marshes. (thankfully there were no dead orc/elven/men’s faces in these bogs with strange white lights)

https://i.imgur.com/zJ3CBA3.jpg

Almost lost my running trainer in the bog as I had not done up my laces tight, this was soon fixed.
Some parts of bog almost went half way up my calfs which was a cold feeling.

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Crossed a wooden bridge which looked like it needs some serious repair

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Weather cleared up and became sunny and cloudy and was beautiful.
I then reached a bridge where the boggy path joined a main path/road which leads to a dam and followed this until Loch Treig which was a beauty to behold.

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At this point I finally saw some people, first it was two lads fully loaded up with their camping gear and another lot about six people loaded with camping gear.
These six were concerned about if they would make it in time to Corrour station for the train back to Spean bridge, but on the off chance of leaving them as I continued one of them ran up to me and asked if I knew the train times.
Luckily I did as I had taken a photo on my phone of all the train times and they took a photo of these times so they were able to plan their walk accordingly, they were so happy it felt good being able to help someone in this wilderness.
After leaving them I continued with Loch Treig on my right.

https://i.imgur.com/RBMF8ad.jpg

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Someone had made a shelter which reminded me of Will Byers shelter in Stranger Things Season 1

https://i.imgur.com/oLBchYq.jpg

The path was no longer a wide track which easily supports a huge 4x4 vehicle but became a single muddy stony path.
This was refreshing as it’s a lot nicer on the feet treading on a muddy stony path vs a complete stony path.

https://i.imgur.com/PN0g7ny.jpg

I crossed a high bridge that had a fast flowing river below it and came upon the sign which had Fort William 18 miles, Spean Bridge 12 miles.
This is where Creaguaineach Lodge is and it was all boarded up plus a tree looks to have fallen and destroyed a garage/shed.
It is a beautiful location to be in.
It took me little bit to find the path again as I studied my ordnance survey app on my phone.
The great thing about the app is that if you follow the route on the app where the map loads it saves it on the app so when you have no phone reception you can still find where you are using the GPS locater on your phone.
This was a life saver as it made finding my course much easier. (lesson learnt will also be taking a paper map and compass whenever I go hiking again and not sole rely on a mobile phone app even if the phone is in flight mode to conserve battery).

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Upon leaving Creaguaineach Lodge I carried on walking on the narrow stony muddy path with the river to my right.
I was hungry at this point after walking I think 4 miles plus the 2.5 miles before the walk even begun so tucked into my tuna sandwiches and ate half the Jamaican Ginger cake made by Mcvites and drank some water.

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Now semi charged up on calories I continued on.
Walked through some amazing parts almost like a very mini canyon with high rocks walls to either side.

https://i.imgur.com/vG9nIjK.jpg

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The thing that amazed me the most was the feeling of wilderness and solitude.
There was no one around, didn’t even see hardly any sheep or other animals apart from very brave flies who have no fear of landing on humans.
However those flies were far better than midges which I am grateful that there were none so far. Midges feel like someone is sticking you with small needles when they bite, so annoying flies were a much lesser evil.
Although I found it best to try and eat when there was a good decent wind blowing as then there is no flies and you can eat in peace.

The sound of the river to my right mixed in with the music from my mp3 player was just simply the best thing ever, plus the natural smells of the highlands
A couple miles before the Lairig Leacach Bothy the path became extremely boggy and in some parts just simply disappeared.
It was then a case of trying to figure out if someone had previously walked here before or if that was just simply a mini river stream as it can be easy to confuse the two in absence of easy to see previous foot prints.

https://i.imgur.com/2o9kTTN.jpg

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I had to go all Aragorn ranger here and think about where I was going.
A few hundred metres before the Lairig Leacach Bothy the path complelety disappeared and before I could even see the bothy I could see a well maintained track wide enough for a 4x4 vehicle in the distance so I walked towards this track through the bog and long stranded blades of grass

https://i.imgur.com/fj93mNc.jpg

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Literally just before the Lairig Leacach Bothy there was a most comforting stream and here I just stood in the stream with the water running over my running trainers cooling me down and cleaning the mud off my trainers.
I must have stood here for 5 minutes just admiring the feeling and the scenery, words cannot describe how beautiful this wilderness is you just have to get out and experience it even if you have to go alone like I did.
Cos sometimes in life if you wait for others you will never do what your heart desires to do, so just plan and go for it.

https://i.imgur.com/5upUCI8.jpg

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Had a look inside the Lairig Leacach Bothy and no one was in.
Had a read of the guest book and added my contribution to it ending with “Long live the Night King” as he deserved more detail than what was contained in Game of Thrones Season 8.

https://i.imgur.com/1rbRPmd.jpg

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Once at this bothy I knew I had a long walk still till I get to Corriechoillie but I knew that I was almost home even though there was probably no more than 7 miles left.
I wont lie, my feet, ankles and legs were aching at this point but you cant have this amount of pleasure and beauty without some sort of cost as then it would be boring and cheating in some weird way.

So I trundled on saying good bye to Lairig Leacach Bothy and continued on the stony well kept path.
This path I believe is in a valley as you have huge mountains either side with the river running below on the left.

https://i.imgur.com/qppTdtH.jpg

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Here is where I saw two people after many miles of seeing no one and finally reached a gate which then takes you through a sort of forest path which leads down a steep hill, I believe this is Killiechonate Woodlands.

https://i.imgur.com/j8lmSCz.jpg

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I carried on down the path as I could see my log cabin in the distance and was grateful this time the cows were not chilling on the path, as last time they were there I got scared and gave them a wide berth. (not afraid of hiking 15 miles in the wilderness on my own but a few cows on a path scare me lol)
Also said hello to The Wee Minister!

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I have been coming to the Scottish Highlands since 2006 but I only decided to do hiking this year as my motorbike had a problem and im so glad I decided to hike as this hike from Correichoillie to Spean Bridge then get the train to Corrour then hike to Corrieichoille has been the best thing I have ever done since coming up here!
This was far more fun than walking up Ben Nevis although Ben Nevis is also an amazing walk but best done if you start at 5am as then its not busy and when you summit the top there’s hardly anyone there so you can take some great pictures!

My gear is definitely not the best but its what I felt comfortable wearing and the weather conditions were not bad.
I had running trainers as I at the time found these comfortable plus when they got wet they dried quickly.
However next year I will be wearing proper walking boots my ankles cant go through this pain ever again lol!
Tracksuit as in jogging bottoms and a hooded jumper, these again felt most comfortable to me, id never wear this if it was winter then id have gone all proper gear but for a summer stroll (be that a very long stroll) I was content.

I took a double sandwich, 2.5 litres of water, a Jamaican ginger cake and 5 packs of love hearts sweets, everything got consumed on this 15 mile hike.
Had a rucksack that contained all my food as well as a water proof jacket and trousers and believe it or not an umbrella

I honestly am looking forward to doing this again next year and the great thing is as I know the route I wont have any fear of getting lost.
Although it would be great if I had more people with me as I feel it would be nice to share such awesomeness with others!
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Elen sila lummen omentielvo!

[pepperami]

Truly impressive Sir
You get to see so much more when you walk.

Going without paper maps and a compass .

Impressed Pepperami is impressed
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[piazza]

Awesome write up and fantastic pics!

I live here and the scenery never ceases to amaze in all weathers.
Hope you have many more trips and momories.
Cheers

[chickenstrip]

Nice write-up.
I'm hard put to say whether I like bikes or hiking among the hills best. They both have so much to offer the spirit.

For footwear, there are some very good lightweight options available that aren't too heavy and still give ankle support. Have a look at Merrell Moabs (my hill wear of choice). I find they give reasonable feel for what's going on underfoot too. Coupled with Merino socks, and you're not bothered if you take the odd boot-full in a bog!
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[ThatDippyTwat]

Nice pics.

For wandering about in the Hills, but not quite scrambling, I prefer a Meindl boot. Granted, they're pricey, but they are pretty much bombproof, and I'm really hard on boots.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[Pigeon]

Brilliant adventure, great photos + post!

Definitely got lucky with the weather too.