tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59219749590878566692024-02-07T17:59:43.906-08:00John & Skye: Kendal to Cape WrathOn May 01st 2008, John Dunbavin and Skye his dog set off on a continuous walk of 2,134 miles/579,379ft of ascent unsupported over all the Scottish Munro mountains to raise funds for charity. This blog was started during this walk.
Please feel free to make any comments and Thanks for droppping in :-)John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-85253517291020859452010-02-14T06:05:00.000-08:002012-01-21T05:26:38.900-08:00Equipment - 2008 Continuous Munro Walk<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What equipment did you take...?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since I returned from my five month long walk, it has always been one of the first questions people make ‘how big and heavy was you rucksack, and what equipment did you take?' I have therefore revisited my notes and listed all the kit I used with the aim to share my experience and views and also hope that this may be of help for others in deciding what to take (or not), and deciding on their own personal kit list, for a weekend or a multi-week adventure. In the next few weeks I hope also to follow this up with how I decided what food to take. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course what items we all take (or don’t take) on our trips varies enormously depending on the nature of the trip (location, season, length, environment, facilities) and our individual aspirations, requirements and disposition. It wasn’t easy deciding what to take as I was trying to include equipment which would be suitable for a wide range of situations. An extended solo Scottish summer backpacking trip, with all the vagaries of Scottish highland weather (very hot and very cold), walking in low lying glens but spending a lot of time on Munro tops, crossing rough ground and walking off-track in remote county with some road walking, mostly wild-camping but also using camp sites, often with few facilities, limited backup and several days until possibilities of resupply. A challenge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were many factors that eventually shaped the list. One primary factor was pack weight. I wanted as light a pack as possible which meant essential items only. I had to carry this thing over many miles and up 284 hills! If an item wasn’t used, it went home. Saying that, it was supposed to be a holiday and enjoyable and I did make allowances for an acceptable level of comfort. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Walking and camping day after day can take its toll on equipment. I simply couldn’t afford to be constantly buying or replacing gear as needed. I wasn't sponsored by any manufacture however Heather and Alan at Pacerpoles kindly provided my Pacerpoles and Lorraine Macall helped in the supply of my Raichle boots. I also did not have the luxury of immediate backup. If something failed, at best it may have taken days to get a replacement, and at worst, my safety may have been threatened. Any equipment would have to have a certain level of durability built into it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So with this in mind, I tried to strike a balance between functionality, weight, comfort and durability. The list below shows what I equipment I finally chose to take and carry with me. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaletJrVxEODgii1Io3_iyUoMCRIkQcAxJdkeedzVesetUvOOUed8KyWhUL2Zja1SPDIGQk8iwE7s4Vui2n1ydnVmO3z4jxRiwEpCsrTCbYJwcmSJOPQvFy1umMUV5Ez7AHXAPvi1AmQ/s1600-h/Munro+Equipment+List.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaletJrVxEODgii1Io3_iyUoMCRIkQcAxJdkeedzVesetUvOOUed8KyWhUL2Zja1SPDIGQk8iwE7s4Vui2n1ydnVmO3z4jxRiwEpCsrTCbYJwcmSJOPQvFy1umMUV5Ez7AHXAPvi1AmQ/s640/Munro+Equipment+List.bmp" width="428" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The equipment worked very well, and if I repeated the trip, I would struggle to decide what I would now leave out and what would need adding. I could maybe change some items to get the weight down (eg. I now use a Thermarest Neoair @ 270g) as new lighter products have come onto the market. There are a number of items however that were invaluable and deserve a brief mention. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Hilleberg Akto Tent</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Akto is so quick and easy to erect I could now put it up blindfold! This was priceless, especially when setting up camp at the end of a very long, tiring day in bad weather or surrounded by swarms of midges. It provided ample space (comfort) for my German Shepherd Dog and me and never showed any signs of weakness in bad weather. Hilleberg are expensive, but after five months of constant use, the tent showed little sign of wear at all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Golite Pinnacle Rucksack</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A simple designed sack and relatively lightweight. I used an Exped waterproof liner within the sack throughout the trip and this never failed to keep everything dry. I found the sack large enough to carry up to six days food (with dog food) although it was at it limits at that. I never considered comfort a problem even though it has no rigid back, padding or mesh. Many of the hills I climbed lightweight by stashing my pack at the bottom of hills between rocks and walking up with just a bumbag filled with safety gear, food and water. I bought the Pinnacle in grey as it camouflaged well into rocks, reducing the risk of it being found while I was away from it. The dog was pretty good at relocating the pack on descent, as it had all her food in! A valuable feature of the Pinnacle are the large mesh side-pockets which are great for allowing ease of access to water bottles, hats, gloves and food bars whilst walking. Again after five months very little sign of significant wear. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Lifeventure Bumbag</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used the bumbag to carry food, water and emergency equipment with me when on forays away from the tent or when I stashed the rucksack. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Rab 400 Quantum Endurance</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A superb dependable bag that kept me warm when I needed it. It was unzipped during hot nights and used like a duvet. The outer Endurance fabric was worth its weight in gold as its water repellency helped stop my tent companion (a constantly wet dog) soaking the down! The bag was professionally cleared on my return and the Endurance is as good as it ever was. To prevent the bag getting wet in the pack, it was stuffed into an Exped dry bag and this was placed into the Exped rucksack liner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Thermarest Prolite 3 (Short)</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a day out on the hills, I never had any problem with sleep, even when it was blowing a hoolie! The Thermarest was very comfortable throughout the trip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Pacerpoles</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Walking poles with ergonomically shaped handles. They eventually became an extension of my limbs and greatly reduced the day to day effort of ascending and descending many hills. These poles played a major role in making the sheer strenuous effort achievable. I would not go out into the hills without them now. Wonderful pieces of equipment!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Paramo Velez Smock and Cascada Trousers</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the idea of trying to achieve a lightweight flexible clothing system suited to wet, cold and hot weather, I initially packed lightweight Goretex (Berghaus Paclite) clothing and adopted a layering system. When the rain and wind set in during mid-June for six whole weeks, I rapidly sent this clothing home and had my Paramo smock and trousers sent up. The Goretex never lived up to its claims, the jacket and trousers were very delicate (zips, drawcords etc), and a continual on/off with layers eventually became tiring. The Paramo smock and a thin wool top provided a very flexible approach on all but very hot days, where I carried the jacket and swapped the Cascada trousers for thin wind-proofs. They were completely dependable in some very prolonged spells of unpleasant weather and were extremely durable. The Cascada trousers became a bit raggedy on the leg bottoms and inside leg seams, but the smock is in still in excellent condition. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Footwear </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went through five sets of footwear and used Superfeet footbeds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I initially set off wearing lightweight fabric and Goretex boots (Aku Slope). Although they’re lightweight (which is why I initially bought them), the sole wore out so quickly I was amazed. The second pair were Aku Zeniths, constructed from leather and Goretex. Although they were very, very comfortable, the rubber sole again wore out incredibly quickly indeed. I also used Asolo approach shoes which worked very well. The most miles were walked in a pair of Raichle Mountain Trail boots. They were wonderfully comfortable and waterproof until the sole eventually disintegrated. The final pair were Keen Targhee and immediately felt uber-light compared to the Raichle boots. The Event lining leaked almost as soon as I got them out of the shop and the soles were treacherous on wet grassy slopes! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like to use Inov8s running shoes when on backpacking trips, but find they can wear out quickly on rough rocky ground. The amount of pairs I would have needed over five months I considered then to be outwith my budget. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>MSR Pocket Rocket</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This stove is very small, light and simple to use. Disastrously, two months into the trip I found that I could not screw on any gas canisters! I replaced it and the same thing happened towards the end of the trip. I am always careful not to cross thread or over tighten canisters .Maybe these stoves have a working lifespan and I exceeded it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Terra Nova 2 person Bothy Shelter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I carried this for safety reasons. If required, when away from my rucksack or tent, ‘the dog’ and I could use the shelter to get out of the elements. Taking only a bivvi for emergencies would have excluded shelter to beloved canine companions! It however proved to be very useful for lunch stops in bad weather, sitting on, as a groundsheet and a whole variety of other uses. A very useful bit of gear. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Utility kit </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very small pen knife, pegs, whistle and spare batteries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>First Aid Kit</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Compeeds, zinc tape, plaster strips , antiseptic cream, lip salve and paracetamol/ibuprofen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Hygiene</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wash suds, lightweight towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, loo roll, lighter and hand sanitiser. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUYKUTricXIA0w7skRP0ZLWYGmEyrFUdVl-q0oNUuaihqyZtL-3bQqUSeQQrZ4yfICA71xyhxInpGsBAVDpQEG-0NcEgGCCdeSjSHd0ZAi4IsCRhcmWJAqxDtjy_qIlL1xWBMOWyiQcA/s1600-h/TEST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-37475472983721307322009-01-22T15:09:00.000-08:002012-01-21T06:04:17.947-08:00Walk Images - Part III - Skye to Ben Hope<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have so many fantastic images from the walk. These below are the final ones of three parts. See previous blogs for earlier images from the walk. I hope you enjoy them.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296457119949023362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp8-Zi894VmCrEwoWbdKtN4cO659l-mOUmQr7wKhDMrgUJa9ShH0P0I6mpDmiXGG6oLsYgnWhdZey9ZMJvUZBjUQ_FaKuXEhTlsxje4oGMcKsZiJthsoGIpiyLbJLldVVmZcacIVIorU/s320/g+(8).JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From Skye we had a series of idyllic high camp sites to the north of Glen Shiel. This one was just past An Socach.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294260261400179826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirS_ORaR_dqa6J6aHis14tYTyU-wpq3mZt_OhpZ7xtJb17pOBor0HhsEdYoJhviMIN6lRtbugyIDMHuj9V9raErYLm3j9Fq8k56lKnktQBr5DN2dQx_yBHntGAXEZhFjFtwkoIF6apiTY/s320/P9020070+Mullach+na+Dheiragain+Summit.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A snooze on Mullach na Dheiragain</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296448214457585378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAWQceJ-6IdMUgIZ2aV96-6FxryS157s0d_2KQN5zeOGlN3C6orp5mFY2qNjwEzX2wP_A0MuZvHSXsH8fvw4iUoSV4T9Ovvirst4CC641P5pmrgpeDTMW0DUOiC9O3IRDc68RstcFOwU/s320/h.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This image taken early one August morning after a period of wind, rain and gloom. The sun shone, the birds were singing and everything was well with the world. Skye looks north over Loch Monar. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296448451509882322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vddiGNLX_2hBA1Nilxa7HC26dj-huvygrSzf18qlO4RuXG4Wm8M6ztpbk5Ik2Z4z3QL7HjlWCJ5qzIhE0Jq3oNfgq6pHt7QUbZ7HPk2sBoP57ULhDoTuGD7ruXwp0zBlEIyueeSmTKc/s320/h+(2).JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a wonderful bothy near to Achnashellach called Bearneas Bothy. A real wilderness feel. A front came in so we spent the day holed up in this bothy listening to rain batter down on the roof. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294263690439084098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn74dbaG91Kkavin4hyphenhyphenY4YI15VupYWKVKki67yhAETT5uDCfEV-kj-hmdk-hLu7EwhEstSRPry7ZGA1bfxYfhr5zOesXgrFlZLrtagrsX_IfdwC2dYMrJfUhDFcO8crY9ELCUUCcApsJE/s320/P9080107+Maoile+Lunndaidh+Summit.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was taken on what felt like a rooftop - on the summit of Maoile Lunndaidh.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296448798743706514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtbp_X_h3_S7d-nBCG8VMjWxBBEWF3BGJIhSTGXniFqX4LHGUdLJeEfiLAiVsUt-2jPPJlgRj2HIjE7qrU3A3tj3K3xzcDvrGIKDazMlaoGziia86-VUdWBN8FGY3ms67A1HuXD7pxBw/s320/h+(6).JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A real hoolie of a day! We battled across Beinn Liath Mhor in very strong winds to get down into Torridon.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296449318913270610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvYjqc4JEqMS4-0iDRCUwap0ZjVG_IfaUTga4eMs7Og0bqpiV3gppe2I3omWKgvKPWOuKnlIkmSvrwF5-FpPmVnJwwlfIyIMaL_MwOc0xUUgBczDdNfCfCDpyd1Ggn5ec7r9ENIPZUww/s320/i+(1).JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Skye on top of the world and on top of Liathach in Torridon.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294266866009965634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxXDEJF8xNAr3QZbjSY5MUHHu4xkTVgYds-troCs5ZihUEf9KPtZm3NY_-ffVNNx9QZlYoljBk8raJHRWukVGax4v-uFh9ihqk63z4KpL5ajsqpOXer0nQU3K7aI2S6ZqKHpUX0_SdSk/s320/P9120165+Traversing+Liathach.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The path along Liathach is very dramatic running along the edge of a precipitous drop.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296449566336865458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGunHoQGxxdR_bVpVReajH-tKMkrP28GioWaOEmDf551_m2FvzwxPs3IdAvM9r0qxQox4uuwNS1lhNFMaNHChkKrwp_JeoRU53AIh6iJmHBVBU-rVCSxWp9Hx_YKSxoOvkvRooQub1Bv8/s320/i+(10).JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From Liathach it was Beinn Alligin and then onto Beinn Eighe as shown above. We were so lucky with the weather in Torridon. Clear, calm and sunny!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296450206651665314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVN_kgd4SiLDKzzRvgeEFkMorXCV5If-2D7PakjCsnbB3EBZFxbjBon8AknYPVwGxBl8WmBl0-C5SccUUJgpWC0Kx202-Ghhzhn5sCmLv6P420fXOUf6gJaV-BegyWmRpVNEuVXuFsdFg/s320/i+(15).JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> One Monday morning about nine, we found ourselves alongside Loch Fannich (looking like a mirror) in marvelous conditions. Thinking about what I may have been doing on a such a morning, it made me really aware about how lucky I was to be doing this walk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296451052703870546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbmk0WEtm5vxthUEz7QcdYYcd2v_4I3ul7xoKDCN9gOX3w5NmTzHNSncXB47okqrmnGC3Gzz-5s0gqlpHagebMT8epDE5fO_4RLyej4-fEj5cE-egtJKiI9t657eyUYJzroc3Y69fgJs/s320/j+(1).JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> Glen Beg Bothy - outside...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296451629367074722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTp347h0bmfnHenfOpjUZwT3OsbG8lFZMdShWp0crCMDKhmsa738a_GetjEa9cacqGPrX14SeeOXUjhldcyg73Y-3qBKz-QUeo5dLEqE1ujfQWBF3UL33-SJ5-Li1ilm9YZZ098oXLcY/s320/j+(2).JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />...and inside! All my wet clothes drying over this fantastic potbellied stove.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296451282490458434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmfuZRCpgrel_w-vUwf6yMCACNdtEzq-BEP0TAZYP6lmr1Rv4ngdoQf0sz9AQVFtnjneujT9YV7Poph88fQwEVBJA4S4wZx_yy9TRtjD5tBof05U7JWjRUGlWfmGt7_Z0kGu9pkaGGvU/s320/j+(4).JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> Red deer were rutting and roaring by the time I reached the Beinn Dearg hills. They also were not phased by people and dogs. This one was most untroubled by how close were came.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296451899423214738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6TPDf54ptS0LrQhaM35zJM34xE6gQLR-JDllbCjH6gdgBWMj0W6cDq_B6_ClLA5mwifggbR9KbrRLs5JsmjK-rhhV0KVYoVxfPJ6OsNDbRUORjj92MwOTHRM6qPyMOPZuxJmV0Sh4v8/s320/j+(9).JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />The run up to the end. Ben Hope in distance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294272412459449058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAwT9BS3cu0PqFCTHg2k80439Y_9jwKmIA0bWLXuv-GSTGW6-uq39R8XIoFT1PCQv7oEOFsyvawm_Ch-pRHxuqV_8pXS30-wYOcLNFfB-FvxlR-1H_GQTP67JpjWCOcmAAuHAAgFh6uo/s320/100_1276.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> And then reunited with the support pack spending a week on Raasay 1 stone in weight lighter!</span>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-65939847723212068482009-01-22T13:32:00.001-08:002012-01-21T06:04:52.996-08:00Walk Images - Part II - Cairngorms to Skye<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The weather becomes a focus point for such a trip and your eye is always on the sky. Eventually confidence grows and whatever the weather you know you'll be OK.The next few weeks were unsettled but then.. the Cairngorms were stunning. Ten whole days of scorching sunshine!!! <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294235820388281058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCHbJh7fx2UA2fRb10A3iUIvaR6Xj_3WYyZkOaUYocV-C7kqJ6KV72X6__pREaR7xMl3LNyDC7M_jjQcNJ3CW96tLYM8VMiVHxX-NzuRE3VdCOxwLpc8X0jmLcZcHLnQVeKQ3Pb5mm5U/s320/P7210171+Lochnagar+Summit.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> Skye doingng her best Sphinx impression on Lochnagar<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294236676366930562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkI14Tlp29ojyXjwuRoR9UIigdxeKHJMinj03jXQhBZoQeQV1zfcBLMg1qhWXqGS2oVNmfY3XPXAqJVGzWzpU7wamL1gHaEZjDx8a_e_hpXPb-fDa6gd2JgpSAEmkqpZc9q_p-_YWSFbU/s320/P7250226+Loch+Avon.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />Another pose beside Loch Avon in the heart of the Cairngorms. It was so hot we nearly got a suntan!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294237243629129346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCeLedfGJmrBKneu2wrSb6WAUVwNV0yXKNiDTSulp6iqpWAco8KoD5YafIqUcm_oU_-7iPYlDoAQSJAd2RpsQu5TVOfl6rU5NXEr79VaYCy8ypXyX7CtI-aQ-um0xwWkvgnnjlyhJJ0Y/s320/P7270238+Loch+nan+Cnapan+Wildcamp.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />An idyllic wildcamp at Loch nan Cnapan around 850 metres.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294237905731074146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5whsbuFozJsT8_M5M4ucfVZphjV6yyJNAm77lFmjOXvS1Jei78VTkcm39HgYR-zr9Mxa3qi9kMQzr6SbFbjMf4vmCM0Rnwk0_jvnIdR8LofEjmUawQUymiM3W2bruLKjGatw6bFR-C_s/s320/P7280277+View+from+Braeriach.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />These really were days in the mountains that were spectacular. Here was a view from Braeriach on a very hot calm day. Skye scrubbed a paw on descent into Aviemore so it was an unscheduled rest for a couple of days and a trip to the vets to make sure all our six feet were OK.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294238902300380882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpyFe-DxdLs-D9vhm2URi7jd7ytLoFQHc_ibYmAkz6xFiPaMPonr2SIhF8x0EFZ4idH5t8MyzWed0kS5jGSKXp7jpzWiDfCgbkiFO48U80BNDfy5prFmkiLKvQrRg2UZ7Zi213YL1Oa0/s320/P8020298+Loch+Uaine+Wildcamp+under+Creag+Meagaidh.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />The weather broke after Aviemore so it was into the Monadhliath in low cloud and rain. Here was a wonderful wildcamp under Creag Meagaidh at around 900metres.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294241108278350066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0-3VOLN0CiKqAn4hqlV6UL36X-YDbOdiyk811ShQ4TaPeXNaINBUYO4fnz7M0OsNd8-Xq_-U3PSzN8mPfnaz3_U5ABlTzuaLOj-Ki650eEH2V71oIDYrkqW1N9PJF0uKGu7jJ3tRI1E/s320/P8070363+Ascending+Gairich.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" />Onwards and westwards into Knoydart. This was taking as we were ascending Gairich.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294251426405190562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNwDS0jbbVuDlkL7PbKcRoyPtT_gOpI_OTA2oEKw-saSXahULgINRyXZwxc3-czPyoHp_APaF3rpaRCVvcCzpQ0NeWI-LJAoBMmlS-fNV-rz7cK74Uh0fIJnuF9ycc6W398PT0_gvUd0/s320/P8070366+Sgurr+na+Ciche+Ridge.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />Knoydart... one of my favourite areas of Scotland. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296465010323595170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PPpf8mfu3U9szON8nxE9kjICD2XElaHvFm8d0ycUSMuL5dPr-6YQqjfymipSvz6MJ3hUJinszLYAi-CQpU7jdx4WFgdeys1y39FIbAKdgdBSRWtIUVJpP14IzM5Surug0X2VcetpLvw/s320/e+(2).JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also one of my most memorable walks was along the ridgeline towards Sgurr na Ciche (the ice cream cone shaped mountain in the background).</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294252675891742946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgot6Lkhz9m8UiD-xkR5FnPQ6hcR8UoagijbKKWu1t3JcWigy1BPNj6kThgBPV3E-ygXwVpCX523qWAgmYv-ERf5TRDuVPv64PPoqT1lBY9Wt9A5rFXzwAzxLWshHyY_RLH69gG4YFVLfQ/s320/P8140443+The+Saddle+from+Sgurr+na+Sgine.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />A very hot sweaty walk along the south Glen Shiel ridge ending with the saddle shown here in the distance. Nine Munros on that day- a long one!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294253566654325874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQp_HPpseDnN6GkbfL91atX5v-DBQaNYk1Fu2qjCZZMT89znJTGgg9niLWmwz9C5aNAWLjIoYWDZClopuDWb3RN9o-XFhUcGlk79rtSx4m_-8q4bB-BoqBxKoifWz9T0P6g9WLh_dOpc/s320/P8180498+Blaven.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> Then we headed west towards Skye. This was taken as we were approaching Blaven. Impressive looking mountain and the start of that gabbro rock. Goodbye fingertips!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294255000069617778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfg9YmlsMIEXqYQboG5o_ssgobVX0tVOWvEjsY4ZDD6T6xphLUaxG4E8EPSkkZUWqvVdUDZBUTnY_yETAiPoUgaPPafTSEEnk7nTcq2h3sLQS-nGGkospZDPn0SXmd8YtNNt_DH0fjdDs/s320/P8180508+Views+of++Cuillin.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />The Skye Cuillin could have been a big sticking point of the walk. At my limits I managed to complete them all, and then the Inn pin with the help of Simon Webb and Paul Glading in awful weather. Thanks guys !</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294255736273365282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tW8MLNz8gHewy1HRZVCuDulvmM5ZPIEdZbOXJ6HnukoX8GVmoFPay1odHCiUzD9k8wZKl4i4j6qYaFdD9HFYZ_nl1VZCBP_hhTi9QNzNjyF3_pfq6HfMiCbzLbyizSeYa5dABnz71-Y/s320/P8220567+View+from+Ascending+to+An+Dorus.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />The view from An Dorus on the ridge. Stunning...no explanation needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294256214533857618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDcejh1rNyHvgBm678nLuQMJE1cdd2wpORJudGOtfNk-YW5oHSh5GA_70xQxvRCQG2bmlprlGH3wh5TD-9EG77vnnSup7h6YU2P2sbPywdnSGbnXAx3D6YMCIFn4Lw0L7YSOvtrFy8AQ/s320/P8250635+Sgurr+Alastair+Summit.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />An unexpected visitor on the summit cairn of Sgurr Alasdair.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294256936888012034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQg4uu2ofSpAGUlSPUhsCvUSYVb7T4BhopQGdbfJMnQhnXRxrzOFEXZmlg3aST4_7s_l3f2c0ZRYDnP7U9a2COPCQxwQWcMegZlOyYxGHO2sjER4DKTyC-IT312vLf7SOxV0GTLVSVmU/s320/P8250631+The+Great+Stone+Shoot.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Great Stone Shoot and a completion of the Skye Munros. A releif to have finished but not all was over yet. Still another many miles to go.</span></div>
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</div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-21923835238528383002009-01-21T13:35:00.000-08:002012-01-21T06:05:27.318-08:00Walk Images - Part I - Starting Off<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below is my first set of photos showing Kendal to Ben Alder...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-jS4mVEMFUVeCnstyk5SD3bjnUjAaRrlfNT7FFezrl4SPcYTHWTkFkvjsFT2fhk7Lwtun7-nHSHNABC34ijtz4iMlTp3pMLkUjBRwQlPIjHjpEv60UTH0Hkvm8VNc1icqKOL211n708/s1600-h/P5060030+Skye+Swimming+River+Esk+Bentpath.JPG"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293864988118053122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-jS4mVEMFUVeCnstyk5SD3bjnUjAaRrlfNT7FFezrl4SPcYTHWTkFkvjsFT2fhk7Lwtun7-nHSHNABC34ijtz4iMlTp3pMLkUjBRwQlPIjHjpEv60UTH0Hkvm8VNc1icqKOL211n708/s320/P5060030+Skye+Swimming+River+Esk+Bentpath.JPG" style="cursor: hand; height: 240px; width: 320px;" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May was so hot to start such a walk. We needed to stop and cool off regularly as we moved north to Scotland! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294231594956076706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRr9JNp3CRok1nkU32Ek3YfUS7SUk7mK3AAV1nMpd3UZy9tNJiuRbEoyvQDoXxnaPotpbqKPKIQtV3TKowbmZsK2QA8B0HjMSGzvnU95sKKXjuKp2CrwjL3I2a-fmXG2ERzTwz4j37c8M/s320/P5080050+Brattleburn+Bothy.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many a tea stop was needed in such hot weather. Brattleburn Bothy and tea stop on the Southern Upland Way.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294223562312604514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhau3LkE5CQVuEd6wIsc7VAnrEBZpRPtFkG7gw5o1W5o-is3mHc8Io9LiH0j_9dNp8LbBWu8Pe-BpEq864OJZjUTC29F2-me8MT8GaFkwcNU-jg1qKj9tnnf2gd7-WVPRjkzjKx31xLuUg/s320/P5090053+Dalmellington+Wildcamp+Skye+in+Tent.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Walking day after day in such hot conditions, is it a dream or a nightmare? Skye sleeps in the tent corner after a long day on the road.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294223185504110882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzhW6JsYVrio4-2viJxnzY0HUESb8A8TXLllV6w6mrQkRW6wBxbTvS-wxyr_Gmsri-UI4gnRL5SZD6MGZF84-ZKjHw9WWkZBGZjyfcfQOM0ExIGosGfytFpj7C_GnHFmD7MtmjykWxII/s320/P5190090+Beinn+a+Chochuill+Summit.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />Skye, the natural poser on Beinn a Chochuill with Cruachan in the background.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294225628621481298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErgzhxO87kb-Pk0iDVzYHNSTCPScwbFV7hsf7jO2YW0B_wlLcB-M0JM9luA_7hiOGAJoErs1CmI9RRWvk9P_MusmL5dhoX7GyPXEpe1e7j2LxYHcCoXGD6VCY8MhjyUMdcC4SHTiwueQ/s320/P5200097+Ben+Lui+Wildcamp.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A wildcamp just under Ben Lui - little did I know how much use those Pacerpoles would get. Absolutely irreplacable !</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294226584128539682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDuPsgejXpjlPbam3I0u-MwCyHK9I91lLECN4Jv8kBE1NDTTxFEnSjaJFTLtlsOk7xSE4xSJAfiRoVUlHzGwQGUQW-21_xVWP_tb1y22B5-6VkyBvBstoeHG0HsnGm5VARTLsF50wYjI/s320/P6170311+View+from+Ben+Starav.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the more brighter, clearer views we had while in Glen Etive. This was taken ascending Ben Starav in wind, rain and low cloud. Conditions that continued for many days.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294227467072449714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSd0wGlxsVPgOyfyXfLwggm2b_Rl5BqdUsfHmn40IGU3dRL2wQlYEwRPVsidXGLyFODhmtwCkbBQFwu04SP_3MM2fDpWfIZA1lvseBF6DnTmermTVWSbom4cmsGhoiOxCR8PJImS0a2YU/s320/P6210369+Aonach+Eagach.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Aonach Eagach was always a worry for us. Was it as difficult as we had imagined it to be...? Not really, and the rain stopped, the cloud parted and it was sunny for th event of crossing the ridge.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294228296515072194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3p874g1EY64PTfJmGU2b0RcQIVGM7MYuWvKSD3UwnUvLGOFKM3suGTe5265Q5imPN8KExHpiwPHOwIpEyCC2f0n6_SI1q7_UIFtFZP-ev-HBt22btVggtSh2SyAe7B43PeuEgZpr15M/s320/P6270027+Stob+Coire++a+Mhail+Mamores.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the rain returned and the cloud closed back in, this was a typical view from the Mamores (and the Grey Corries and all the Ben Alder Munros etc etc...).<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294228933022370994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_ZowoFIvJKEPMNAXikF6uz_8dw5NsprqDtQ08KGCnmh22aQAzDHwVYqpM2laN5lVnAs4CXPRTr5N8-uE9Axlx6Hlkl-0aiNYwweZol9g8Lg6Xa6ioMrVWX4k0Mj7ddUqSI_zAE2r8oI/s320/P6290052+Meananach+Bothy.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />This is one of my favourite bothies - Meananach in Glen Nevis. It kept us dry during a particulalry nasty storm...Thanks Mountain Bothies Association.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294229807834015298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DlYvQW81aY3RJjTMaOah1X5fZ7Wp1ECuOS7buIJciHIBv5_X1AmIiEg7zYzwhWmRSQ7ReqREcfi03crFqAcOVX4pP46KNd-Z2iz7XZa7nHVtSPJAVoakXONGKZRJt0-2Rns6-ctkbhQ/s320/P6300057+Grey+Corries.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Grey Corries. What more can I say?<br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294230273782184002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihVM9B38BzC6TeEUtjX9QjTidvu1k8yCZHDneWSN9vWjvZ5uKD69CK7TJU5Bjbu4I5DiC4iz8qYpL4rBip2rVNOuXiS7DmB3AR9z3FNpC18Zj-_pAdS71w_AJzInuL5c1N7LwrfYjzSk/s320/P7060090+Culra+Bothy.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Culra Bothy with Ben Alder in the background. What a stunning setting for a bothy. </span></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-34414895930100276892008-10-22T12:51:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:07:00.278-08:00We're back and it's still raining !<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well after months of walking we arrived back in Kendal a week or so ago. How is Skye adjusting...? Say no more!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgKXtfeWXoT50cNZ6ZRSauDfJGFUb1jzL87sx0NTZKU6nI-1uBXZ9dmrBEHXGNh67XVWoqsF2uigreJuVO2RYp_NNwvQmfXmyed_I7kOeFsyiBrA8ZAtGgKITPG2iKmAXddqevjLc2y0/s1600-h/Picture+090.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260068951531930146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgKXtfeWXoT50cNZ6ZRSauDfJGFUb1jzL87sx0NTZKU6nI-1uBXZ9dmrBEHXGNh67XVWoqsF2uigreJuVO2RYp_NNwvQmfXmyed_I7kOeFsyiBrA8ZAtGgKITPG2iKmAXddqevjLc2y0/s320/Picture+090.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> </span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As for me? I am enjoying catching up with family and friends and appreciating the simply things in life again such as warm water, a loo to sit on in the morning and a real bed.<br /><br />I would of course wish to thank everyone for their support over the last five months, without which the trip would not have been possible. Especially to Heather and Alan at Pacerpoles for all their help, to Simon W and Paul G for getting me up the Inn Pin, to Mike K and Glen for their fish and veggie dishes, to Steve P and Lorraine M for their wisdom and encouragement, to everyone who put a roof over my head (particularly the wonderful peaple at the Crask Inn) but most of all to Corrie, Maisie and Charlie (the Support Pack) who worked hard over the summer keeping me going when times were... lets say 'trying'! Many thanks to you all...<br /><br />I now hope to eventually post pictures and anecdotes which I hope capture some of my experiences during the walk. I have thousands of memories; rain soaked days in Glen Etive, scorching days in the Cairngorms, shared bothies in Knoydart, the Cuillin ridge in cloud (say no more), Fisherfield in gales and rain and the joys and releif of standing on Ben Hope the 284th Munro. Seeing the seasons change, eagles, otters, starry saxifrage and pine martins. A whole array of captured images... Overlaying all these, I recall a feeling of a deep contentment, of completness, a heightened awarness, of being in the 'moment' day after day having to deal only with simple tasks of survival. What a trip it was, many magical moments of sheer bliss and a good number of shear struggle. All character building.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260090975917456178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TlUn73f1DDsSJ6hgd0TTxCWCaHuKnLvqcPdadNeEQ4gNLCL5MDrGRV5gewRtK4h2WW1SBaWBS4ezWGUPpToKBmEyfCdHoYHgSNMdreNNMcw5Re6JlUS8se7fbddazyTmuDhqej7msDU/s320/P9140192.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></span>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-68642401184543561742008-08-24T13:14:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:08:13.048-08:00Day 116: The Inaccessible Pinnacle<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A big thank you to Simon Webb and Paul Glading for coming all the way up from Cumbria to help John onto the Inaccessible Pinnacle. The weather was foul, but that didn't deter them and Simon, Paul and John reached the top without mishaps. As John is a walker and not a climber, he couldn't have done this without Simon and Paul's help. Skye had to stay behind with the support crew as there was no way she could have done this Munro! <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244120301798975874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgZMtIS6XDwk918FcZZgOc3XDVkYCvmA6ypd4_iU5SC2-XMZUxmD6yrfy73HOTvDHe6YVHRkxDIcqmpjilgVlM5uaq_A5FHh9sbejykfOyHTQiMSoXNde7hZQ-Y6mCZwZLO5DWg-n_bg/s400/P8240625.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Simon abseiling down the Inaccessible Pinnacle </em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>while Paul is wondering where the sun has gotten to.....</em></span></span></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-51295195201794504572008-08-13T13:59:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:08:44.840-08:00Day 105: Wildlife Watching<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the joys of walks like this is the wildlife you bumped into. Skye is clearly fascinated by this hare. Fortunately, she has been trained not to chase anything!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fMyR_kX7KV3Lc8DkUdvzY71P7R0MX0sW6q-0xC03nm3gtKDSpIDoNn6Lo9Z5pogii1cKI23F3DT4zaAjQrF7fTM7U25ElGQ71VeYRZNDFFgnAqzn59DajKIxhmHhzpM2rfXvsO4uWe8/s1600-h/Copy+of+P7110110.JPG"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244129941598238914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fMyR_kX7KV3Lc8DkUdvzY71P7R0MX0sW6q-0xC03nm3gtKDSpIDoNn6Lo9Z5pogii1cKI23F3DT4zaAjQrF7fTM7U25ElGQ71VeYRZNDFFgnAqzn59DajKIxhmHhzpM2rfXvsO4uWe8/s400/Copy+of+P7110110.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></span></a></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-19514926608163834962008-07-31T13:46:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:09:40.730-08:00Day 92: Resourceful Skye!<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just before Aviemore, poor Skye got a cut on her right front paw and has got a little limp again. Knowing she needs to cool her paw down and being ever resourceful, she finds her own solution: during stops, find somewhere to lie down where the paw can dangle in water! Fortunately, the limp didn't persist long. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIykCGXYzjJ97RMupVbaiUQyD4EVQv0qsnFqkAFO_zkd48OC8E230XqKpI21Jnqzv7M7JDPKqTavI3Z60iHkSZKhfDAIlVn322RQeFBMyiEA9H-8DbN6lLzZbuafbGxYKDta4qgYG4V3I/s1600-h/Copy+of+P7270260.JPG"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244127288231149826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIykCGXYzjJ97RMupVbaiUQyD4EVQv0qsnFqkAFO_zkd48OC8E230XqKpI21Jnqzv7M7JDPKqTavI3Z60iHkSZKhfDAIlVn322RQeFBMyiEA9H-8DbN6lLzZbuafbGxYKDta4qgYG4V3I/s320/Copy+of+P7270260.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_YZ08y3_s-OmjW-xL1Z_BB19vfle32zUYZ-WqkkGVhelInFrJcD3vrePuHDYFtZfJkuM6sLK0K4ShKYEFIwtMNg6T-XY4NDESzYhfC6cZnZcdUd76MNxw5mqsirtBUAIVc3PXJDHS0c/s1600-h/Copy+of+P7270261.JPG"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244127288879524018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_YZ08y3_s-OmjW-xL1Z_BB19vfle32zUYZ-WqkkGVhelInFrJcD3vrePuHDYFtZfJkuM6sLK0K4ShKYEFIwtMNg6T-XY4NDESzYhfC6cZnZcdUd76MNxw5mqsirtBUAIVc3PXJDHS0c/s320/Copy+of+P7270261.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmVZZlGxdmELb11p4h232vjr-98okGAexivGpfdzK-qMQfIKZsOl1XOdm2rU7XzbqfflQc3949rZSkE3CQ0-y2VUFIcgwhwaG4uw3mOei1XgAYqi3Dtt-yJKZeeHbXPxU6FNAkDbJIFk/s1600-h/P7270259.JPG"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244127989873854274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmVZZlGxdmELb11p4h232vjr-98okGAexivGpfdzK-qMQfIKZsOl1XOdm2rU7XzbqfflQc3949rZSkE3CQ0-y2VUFIcgwhwaG4uw3mOei1XgAYqi3Dtt-yJKZeeHbXPxU6FNAkDbJIFk/s320/P7270259.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Cooling down the injured paw. And while you are lying there, you might as well have a little snooze ...</em></span>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-43841730726009070072008-07-21T04:43:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:29:12.767-08:00Day 82: Half way there!<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As there are a total of 284 Munros, John and Skye hit their half way mark today when they climbed Munro number 142: Broad Cairn!!! And yes, it is still raining, but there has been some improvement in the weather in the last couple of days, so John and Skye finally got a view from the top again. Fingers crossed that the weather continues to improved.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Posted by Corrie B)</span></em></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-57675944237953870832008-07-17T04:39:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:28:53.758-08:00Day 78: Skye climbs her 100th Munro!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBX7Jl527c6QxotxWAjfZcl23-z11PRZ_EQ3NBIgjlkBYA9a8SIk_RpiPMVd2gT1sqk32piUvIo5Q7y6LEFZdMM8tqG6dysoB0yh9tnl82X5jaNlTGom6glJ6V9eVOA1rOo50tO_Z3iNw/s1600-h/P7170151.JPG"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260067292093364578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBX7Jl527c6QxotxWAjfZcl23-z11PRZ_EQ3NBIgjlkBYA9a8SIk_RpiPMVd2gT1sqk32piUvIo5Q7y6LEFZdMM8tqG6dysoB0yh9tnl82X5jaNlTGom6glJ6V9eVOA1rOo50tO_Z3iNw/s320/P7170151.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having had to miss some Munros due to the sting on her paw, Skye is a little bit behind John in terms of numbers of Munros climbed. However, she has now also reached her 100th Munro when she climbed Carn Gheoidh. Well done, Skye!!!</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Posted by Corrie B)</span></em></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-83413516998869146742008-07-11T04:35:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:28:17.297-08:00Day 72: John and Skye hit the headlines<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52IWt8hsbBOZhj7Ev1EImeIrsOqyKwF72SGjiIX-37aORUQkWPGj_RfZ6rFSgouPnu2wkHT8AFdcA0tbiGuN8F7Zj8l4IQoFhDKjyA3GOPTXGr5lkMbJiKv3ZtrTTBIaT7IeYFhciYMo/s1600-h/100_1045.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227656699658632610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52IWt8hsbBOZhj7Ev1EImeIrsOqyKwF72SGjiIX-37aORUQkWPGj_RfZ6rFSgouPnu2wkHT8AFdcA0tbiGuN8F7Zj8l4IQoFhDKjyA3GOPTXGr5lkMbJiKv3ZtrTTBIaT7IeYFhciYMo/s320/100_1045.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week's Westmorland Gazette featured an article on John and Skye's long trek. It was quite a nice article, but my favourite bit was the poster hanging outside newsagents. As the weather hasn't improved, 'gruelling' is probably the right word!</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Posted by Corrie B)</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">A advertising board outside Kendal newsagents</span></em></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-19144719085754282652008-07-10T04:10:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:27:02.426-08:00Day 71: Making new friends<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31_dooZXM2MrVG_NE3R5MFaup9gYy4YS9CoFSaXBGYVGRG10BFweVFk9RwKzGjJHu164iSxZwdZFMcc5uMW7fLthDk88ZP7m4SA3Jzu0XoPBuOAmLthvS89L2C7RYnYNntSyf1Vixr68/s1600-h/100_1044.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227655528956900418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31_dooZXM2MrVG_NE3R5MFaup9gYy4YS9CoFSaXBGYVGRG10BFweVFk9RwKzGjJHu164iSxZwdZFMcc5uMW7fLthDk88ZP7m4SA3Jzu0XoPBuOAmLthvS89L2C7RYnYNntSyf1Vixr68/s320/100_1044.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the nice things about going for a long walk through Scotland is the people you get to meet. One special new friend John made was Toni, aged 9 3/4 from Glasgow, who was staying in the same bothy as John one night with her parents Teri and Bert. We haven't been able to upload any of John's photos recently, but fortunately Toni drew a picture of the bothy they were staying in for John. So thanks for coming to our rescue Toni and John sends his regards to you and your parents.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(posted by Corrie B)</span></em><br />
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<br /></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-77656074063406182008-07-06T10:41:00.001-07:002012-01-21T06:25:11.018-08:00Day 67: The 100th Munro<div align="justify">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-pBv3hI8Y2FYMQ4FpL5bq1mKVJl7XUHuf0fwfSSln67fpSVmgkBB2BUqhXKyd23kju6-R3-1m4QbCFN6DTSi_JZBRWESvx4v4SFnEU6UAmK7oNxdFdejJsEacDRA1sbjxoy3IS9P1lY/s1600-h/P7060088.JPG"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260065948685405330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-pBv3hI8Y2FYMQ4FpL5bq1mKVJl7XUHuf0fwfSSln67fpSVmgkBB2BUqhXKyd23kju6-R3-1m4QbCFN6DTSi_JZBRWESvx4v4SFnEU6UAmK7oNxdFdejJsEacDRA1sbjxoy3IS9P1lY/s320/P7060088.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Today John and Skye climbed Ben Alder: their 100th Munro! A bit of a milestone and not an easy achievement after days and days of rain, hail, rain gales, rain, rain .......</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>(Posted by Corrie B)</em></span></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-8044774120954272022008-07-01T08:01:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:24:34.369-08:00Day 62: A message about the weather<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John has been getting frequent text messages from friends in the Lake District saying what a lovely time he must be having in this brilliant weather. John has asked me to let everybody know that of the last 29 days, he has had 25 days of rain!!!!! Hmm, I wonder if he'll have webbed feet by the time he's finished....</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Posted by Corrie B)</span></em></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-81784711584991152592008-06-28T07:55:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:24:13.326-08:00Day 59: John and Skye climb Ben Nevis<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the weather not being brilliant, John and Skye have made it to the top of Britain's highest mountain together with another 3000 or so people who were all climbing Ben Nevis for a charity event that day. And another 1000 people were in the middle of doing the 3 Peaks Challenge and also climbing Ben Nevis. It probably was the busiest mountain in the UK that day!</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Posted by Corrie B)</span></em></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-87700731495608282152008-06-24T07:35:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:23:48.463-08:00Day 55: Skye secures sponsorship<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A big thank you to Gilbertson & Page Ltd who have very kindly donated the entire trip's worth of their fantastic Dr John's dogfood. Normally our dogs are fed on Dr John's Silver, but for this strenuous trip Skye has been put on Dr John's Gold and Dr John's Platinum which has a higher protein content. To see Gilbertson & Page's full range of foods and to read about John and Skye in their news section visit </span><a href="http://www.gilpa.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.gilpa.co.uk/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Skye looking very chuffed with one of the donated bags of Dr John's dogfood</em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Posted by Corrie B)</span></em></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-43776985915169068172008-06-23T05:28:00.000-07:002009-07-19T09:20:54.670-07:00Day 54: Skye is back on track<div align="justify">Skye is back in the mountains and is looking as fit as ever. She has not picked a good time to return though, as the weather has recently taken a turn for the worst and despite a few clear and sunny moments, there is a lot of rain and mist around making navigation and river crossings a bit of a challenge. Both John and Skye don't seemed to be daunted by bad weather though!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfUgSJzst8ZZv3UPxppQ5R1MwfNF8D1sHgmJd9PWKr3vELCFxEEtubF1BYvFgo6jXZIYETELZL4gZc-wBRAihSWM0LdzFvjbMYwGJxZ7chXPG9faUCYKAPfOHphopg2sf-9Bvefj9cgs/s1600-h/Copy+of+P6230001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217280294804000322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfUgSJzst8ZZv3UPxppQ5R1MwfNF8D1sHgmJd9PWKr3vELCFxEEtubF1BYvFgo6jXZIYETELZL4gZc-wBRAihSWM0LdzFvjbMYwGJxZ7chXPG9faUCYKAPfOHphopg2sf-9Bvefj9cgs/s320/Copy+of+P6230001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Skye on the way up Bidean nam Bian (as usually having to wait for John to catch up!)</strong><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsdSjuFLTXJJqCXbHcXbKmb_6sLOPA9mj6biMwssWKmsnZJMFWlR5LhKgF1jfnCmTq5GUm9_ia_5hXOsUMhsIU0B7AZr8ov58rZPvetrJD8Ghy4e-QKPzZXEbnvtz-KMv8H0jkYgWPso/s1600-h/P6230011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217283680132067330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsdSjuFLTXJJqCXbHcXbKmb_6sLOPA9mj6biMwssWKmsnZJMFWlR5LhKgF1jfnCmTq5GUm9_ia_5hXOsUMhsIU0B7AZr8ov58rZPvetrJD8Ghy4e-QKPzZXEbnvtz-KMv8H0jkYgWPso/s320/P6230011.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>Having lunch looking down towards Glen Coe</strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyXZc4p__8eKnE9-KM7r4MnwAR14fCk0DrFi2322paHt4xBIOLmuuJ2usS3rF4IrJ1MoLPpq6cebEgACQxG-g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p><strong>One of the more misty moments...</strong></p><p><em>(posted by CB)</em></p>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-28167355242577796852008-06-21T04:58:00.000-07:002012-01-21T07:20:16.523-08:00Day 52: Aonach Eagach<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pictures probably speak for themselves:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Looking at Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach from Aonach Eagach</em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Posted by Corrie B)</span></em></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-71482322846244763212008-06-18T03:07:00.000-07:002012-01-21T07:20:39.965-08:00Day 49: Skye has fully recovered!<div align="justify">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8aIhByI1WdAiKiiW61G08ZAUOtUn8zM5z5XV7B5atYcpWIPTrmzYmK7jAVafwDYhS18cJN-Ahjomu5H3iqB0qffFnz_loPdaSGepEVx5aV3WYZ6xd6nyFYWdTBH7fclZtHgXSPDJmKA/s1600-h/P5010002.JPG"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213532715511244594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8aIhByI1WdAiKiiW61G08ZAUOtUn8zM5z5XV7B5atYcpWIPTrmzYmK7jAVafwDYhS18cJN-Ahjomu5H3iqB0qffFnz_loPdaSGepEVx5aV3WYZ6xd6nyFYWdTBH7fclZtHgXSPDJmKA/s200/P5010002.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Skye is back on all four paws again and is patiently waiting to be transported up to Scotland to rejoin John and continue her big adventure. She will do any Munros that she has missed on this trip at some point next summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the meantime, John has celebrated climbing is 50th Munro with a bowl of hot rice pudding on the summit.</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Posted by Corrie B)</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Skye showing the support crew </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>in a rather unsubtle way that </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good news: although Skye is still hopping on three legs, the vet thinks that it's a bee or wasp sting that caused the swelling and is making her not want to use that paw. He reckons she'll be fully recovered within a week. What a relief!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>(Posted by Corrie B)</em></span></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-4645702893490913992008-06-09T04:46:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:20:48.162-08:00Day 40: Rescue mission to Killin<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only five days after returning from Killin, the support crew was back <strong><em></em></strong></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SXxH-Tw7I8w7LYuYTvYa6oVKdsRMiYoZNbZ2MwrlnMqTl3-fYvKtTEe5A3hT7wuSMorNuul4J3gRHfSw7n1RN3tUzYVVhuKpuoQHKSvrOHi4Uo9N66NXFC7EE-yMuo_heGLZDG2XATw/s1600-h/Copy+of+P5010003.JPG"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="193" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211705186716935378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SXxH-Tw7I8w7LYuYTvYa6oVKdsRMiYoZNbZ2MwrlnMqTl3-fYvKtTEe5A3hT7wuSMorNuul4J3gRHfSw7n1RN3tUzYVVhuKpuoQHKSvrOHi4Uo9N66NXFC7EE-yMuo_heGLZDG2XATw/s200/Copy+of+P5010003.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="173" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to pick up Skye and take her home to the vets. A couple of nights previously, Skye suddenly started limping and by the next morning her left front paw was massively swollen and she was hopping on three legs. After a couple of days with little improvement, the decision was made to take her home to see her vet and give her time to recover.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Maisie, Corrie & Charlie: </em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Posted by Corrie B)</span></em><br />
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<strong></strong>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-84447578173495875332008-06-03T04:17:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:19:37.528-08:00Day 33: Killin<div align="justify">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdjJt6baVJknuE8bagE1-k4T0p0rzommccPKieeRAclRN6ZFZEXewKR_-E2U0nbrkYDBLxcOEEugA6aHjpKlo_ImkheN3vp-ur3F-19HTO0BTDvUKeECyR2ulgY6RFWaATxZGm-YZvjU/s1600-h/P5290146.JPG"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211700217603009362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdjJt6baVJknuE8bagE1-k4T0p0rzommccPKieeRAclRN6ZFZEXewKR_-E2U0nbrkYDBLxcOEEugA6aHjpKlo_ImkheN3vp-ur3F-19HTO0BTDvUKeECyR2ulgY6RFWaATxZGm-YZvjU/s320/P5290146.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em> Enjoying the views from the top of the Arrochar Alps</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI13xKgP-iN09H_KkaiuOCdrPwD8mXWR1dphHcpgunns4YTQkQnWNX10sVIn-AKrbqy3hApLIPGE1UgtlilaTAsX2c1FHBrXWoW8gjvXWCp28Cy_3BaVDL6qnK4JP8_1sTwMRkkBgS8ro/s1600-h/Copy+of+P5010003.JPG"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the main problems over the last couple of weeks has been the prolonged dry weather which has made finding water a bit of a problem. Never the less, John and Skye have made good progress and with 25 Munros now under their belt/collar they have made it to Killin to meet up with the support crew and indulge in some good meals in the local establishments. We spent the evening in the Killin Hotel chatting to Drew the bare-chested (don't ask) mountain rescue Quadrathlon competitor and Duncan the bagpiper. Good luck on the 12th ofJuly, Drew! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Setting off from Killin</em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Posted by Corrie B)</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-74640729946055210502008-05-27T04:00:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:18:08.882-08:00Day 27: Unscheduled Rest Day<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a good nights sleep at Rowchoish Bothy, Skye hopped of the sleeping platform and knocked her paw against the fireplace resulting in a limp when they set off to do their next Munros. So, to be on the safe side, John decided to give her (& himself) an extra rest day. It's ironic that after several hundred kilometers and 15 Munros, Skye goes and has a 'domestic' accident!</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Posted by Corrie B)</span></em></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-39335004778199378912008-05-23T10:51:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:17:29.050-08:00Day 23: The first dozen!<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After climbing Ben More, John and Skye returned to Oban for a well deserved rest day in a small hotel on George Street. The lady at the service laundrette put on a very brave face when John brought in his walking clothes for a wash! The bath at the hotel took care of John and then off John and Skye went to climb the next 11 Munros, before arriving in Arrochar for the next rest day. For the first time this trip John has had some proper rain, reminding him what a great challenge it will be to climb all these Munros and to keep going regardless of the weather.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkH-kCjHwZzd7-1Pk5VFGeAsizh0z8op6QW2v4gaF9DJanv3N2Zk4iBxGvH1zrxjJrCthr2ht57tNizJMBYgkwd46YDHf3aF8m76gscrQPAPi5DqSxfhYssfgXu6WN6e8zDHk6dvfViF0/s1600-h/Copy+of+P5070037.JPG"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204007721850912226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkH-kCjHwZzd7-1Pk5VFGeAsizh0z8op6QW2v4gaF9DJanv3N2Zk4iBxGvH1zrxjJrCthr2ht57tNizJMBYgkwd46YDHf3aF8m76gscrQPAPi5DqSxfhYssfgXu6WN6e8zDHk6dvfViF0/s320/Copy+of+P5070037.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Posted by Corrie B)</span></em></div>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5921974959087856669.post-3712333609074010912008-05-15T13:33:00.000-07:002012-01-21T06:16:59.917-08:00Day 15: 1 down, 283 to go!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today John and Skye climbed their first Munro: Ben More on the Isle of Mull. John said it was good fun, which is a good thing seeing that he has another 283 to go ....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Skye resting on top of her first Munro - Ben More (Mull)</em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Posted by Corrie B)</span></em>John Dunbavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14134011907504499369noreply@blogger.com3