tartan army
Firstly, as you know, Scotland lost the match, but Scotland are not depressed. The tartan army is strong and will move south to cheer on the team. Go Scotland!
The WHW Race
This morning, as we prepare to hit the trail, the West Highland Way Race runners will be coming to our accommodation. At Rowardennan they have a strict 8:30am schedule, so we keep an eye on them as they go by. Remember they run the 96 miles in 32 hours, which is crazy for us. We encourage each runner and send them good wishes.
Road
You may know the song, Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond, which contains the choice between a high road and a low road. The song is actually about two Jacobite soldiers, one sentenced to death and the other released. The free man travels along the high road back to his home and the condemned man will be hanged, thus reaching his beloved Scotland by the low road. In today’s terms, it’s a choice between a rocky, strenuous trail along the lake shores or walking along a forest trail. No matter which one you choose, the two meet and the path continues to the lake along a strenuous rocky path.
This year, however, there are not many options because the lower road is undergoing trial maintenance and is therefore closed. So for us it is the Camino Real! It has a slope but levels out along the forest road. Yesterday’s rain is evident as the road is still slippery.
Reminiscence
The cadence of our step leads me to walk faster and spend some time alone. During this trip I will miss the 23rd day of my son’s adoption. In the world of adoption we celebrate both birthdays and the day the family adopts the child. For us it’s usually a family day, but this year the walk is keeping me away. I enjoy remembering the moment we met, how scared I was as a father, and how far we’ve come. Adopting my children has been both the greatest joy of my life and the greatest adventure. I miss my children but I am grateful that they have become adults who support me in this adventure. Don’t worry, they intend to celebrate together in my absence and spend my money!
low road
We advance at a good pace along the High Road and it soon joins the lower road again. About 11 kilometers away we stopped for a snack at a local hotel. Halfway there we are doing well and having good weather. We begin again the path that now becomes more and more challenging. Yesterday’s rains have left the road muddy. Consistent tree roots and rocks mixed with mud are a bad combination. This trail is listed as strenuous, but I don’t find it that way. I find it technical and slow, but not strenuous. I sometimes climb rocks using my hands and on steep sections directly over the water. I’m not taxing my cardiovascular system and I find the technical aspects fun. Many of the New England hikes I grew up on were like this area and bring back good memories.
rough section
Now everyone around us doesn’t see it the same way. Sugar Sand hates it and, along with a certain fear of heights, doesn’t have it. At one point she was convinced we were off the road because it seemed too dangerous to her and we were right in the road. We take our time to ensure you navigate safely through the section. According to Sugar Sand, this section has gone from Good Pain level to Oh My God!
Highlights
It’s a 14-mile hike with elevations reaching 1,226 feet. After the hotel stop, the undulating road promises to undo many. I enjoy the mental puzzle of where to walk, walking in some ways is an exercise for the brain and body. It’s like dancing when you combine the physical and mental aspects. There are several famous areas that we are excited to see. Rob Roy’s Cave is along the trail today. Rob Roy was a famous Jacobite who resisted against the English many years ago. Another area has a section of rocks that everyone has trouble getting over with backpacks.
Low road compression
As we drive along, we see a cruise ship on Loch Lomond passing along the coast. We joked that the tour guide was probably saying, «To your left you can see the silly West Highland Way hikers as they hike 96 miles on a trail. They’ve long been studied to be missing a chip, but we indulge them by letting them walk until they drop.» The hikers furiously greet the tourist on the boat, but we really hope that a water fire will break out, but it won’t.
Rocks, rocks and more rocks.
Then we ran into sections that defied sanity. A steep stone staircase that seemingly leads to nowhere and a ladder to climb the path. The ladder has a fixed rail which I am happy to use.
This section goes on and on, but I remember that in the AT we have Rockslyvannia and we don’t have it too bad. Finally, we left the lake and said goodbye to Loch Lomond forever. The trail takes us through a deceptively beautiful valley. But it will also challenge us as it goes on and on while playing with our emotions.
waterfalls
If you love waterfalls, you are in the right place. As rainwater flows down the mountain, many waterfalls are formed. Each one of them is beautiful. The sound of running water is relaxing.
Just when we think everything is coming to an end the trail gains altitude and takes us through meadows at the summit before descending back into the valley. Our destination tonight will be Inverarnan and we will sleep in an enchanted inn. No ghosts appeared but we did rest for tomorrow’s walk that continues through the highlands. We hope to see the Highland coo!
This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any products or services you purchase using links in articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price they would otherwise pay, and their purchase helps support The Trek’s ongoing goal of bringing you quality backpacking information and advice. Thank you for your support!
For more information, visit the About page of this site.
