Well, packed up and on the train to London tomorrow. Nervous and sad to be leaving Fleur but sort of excited….
Kit ready to be packed, minus a few odds and ends mailed directly to Scout and Frodo’s.
Author: capocciblog
PCT Documentary
Glenmore Lodge
Anticipating plenty of snow this year on the PCT, I enrolled on a short Winter Skills course at Glenmore Lodge in the Cairngorms. It is a two day course and, as luck would have it, I chose the two warmest February days in recorded history to do it!
I was very nervous but the whole place had a great atmosphere. The participants were great and the instructors excellent. We practiced step kicking and cutting, self belay, crampon use, daggering and self-arrest – and probably more I can’t remember. It was so good I plan to go back next year for the 5 day version.
Links
Charities
I am hoping to raise some money for two charities while I hike. Now, to be honest, I would have gone anyway for my own reasons, but I don’t want to miss the chance to help if I can.
Details here, including why I chose the charities I did: Donate Here!
Almost there!
Ok, so I have been preparing for this trip for ages, but now at last minute I’m actually going to start the blog!
I am flying out on the 26th March to LA and then by Amtrak on to San Diego – my permit is for 30th March. For those who don’t know, there is a limit of 50 through-hike (from Mexico to Canada) permits each day, and these are allocated randomly. In November 35 permits per day are released, and in January a further 15. Each time, you log on to the PCTA website and are allocated a random place in the queue. Once at the front of the queue you are allowed to pick any date still available. I was lucky(ish), from my position of 2500 I was able to grab a permit only a few days from my preferred starting date.
In San Diego I will be staying with two of the best known Trail Angels, Scout and Frodo, a wonderful pair who have hosted, fed and advised hundreds of PCT hikers every year for over a decade. Next year will be their final year and I feel lucky to have the chance to meet them.
Day 8 – Kinlochleven to Banavie
Last day! We set off through Kinlochleven dreaming of a hot meal that wasn’t either couscous or noodles. A pretty ascent then descent down into Glen Nevis, dodging the motorcross riders and being sad at the number of tress felled since we were last here.
Pretty descent, with Freddy once more falling when filming, and headed straight to the Ben Nevis Inn for a great meal.
A night a the wonderful Chase the Wild Goose Hostel, which is highly recommended, if a little out of town. This is also a good starting point for those wanting to walk the Great Glen Way.
Day 7 – Kingshouse to Kinlochleven
Today, up and over the Devil’s staircase and a uneventful stroll to Kinlochleven.
However the descent to Kinlochleven, past the hydro-electric pipes, was pretty.
The most fun part of the day was Freddy repeatedly falling over while taking selfie videos….
At Kinlochleven there is a rather nice campsite, so we took a short day (a nero? I need to get into PCT speak). The ice climbing centre was open so coffee was enjoyed in the dry. We grabbed the best spot in the campsite beforehand – Freddy’s nous most welcome.
We also met a young couple from New Zealand, one was a ultralight nut who was probably wearing cuben-fibre underpants. I love how young people are so often trying to show off. I of course tormented them with my political views – the young are often so indoctrinated these days it is almost too easy!
Day 6 – Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse
It was an overcast day as we crossed the Orchy to enter Rannoch moor. However visibility was good and the clouds just added to the atmosphere as we crossed Rannoch Moor.
Spectacular views, but was a bit fatigued so the stop at the Glencoe ski area’s coffee shop was very welcome.
The Kingshouse Hotel was under refurbishment, which was a shame, but we found a beautiful camping spot on the river. Almost immediately, the clouds disappeared an we had a gloriously sunny afternoon! A really idyllic spot with spectacular views.
Day 5 – Beinglass Campsite to Bridge of Orchy
Now I’ve been extremely bad and neglected to post the last few days! I hope to be more diligent on the PCT.
Apart from a bit of mud-hopping early on this was an easy day to Bridge of Orchy, at the edge of Rannoch Moor.
The Bridge of Orchy hotel used to have a bunkhouse and was very welcoming to walkers, and indeed many years ago I enjoyed a cup of tea here after a particularly wet day. Another year I used the bunkhouse – and another I camped nearby next to the river! (Yes, I’ve done the WHW a few times…). However now the hotel has been refurbished and is chasing a higher-class (or heavier wallet-ed) clientele. But don’t despair, the station buildings at the nearby railway are now a bunkhouse! Freddy knew the owners and thankfully they had a spare space due to a cancellation. A bed!
Michael's Ramblings 