Munro Bagging in the Mamores, Day 4.

We were up and away early this morning.  Although dry initially, the clouds loomed threateningly as Linda drove us along the Loch to be dropped off at Kinlochleven to begin our three wild camping trip into the Mamores.  We had been up here a few years ago to walk the Mamores, although based to the north of the range in Glen Nevis.  On that occasion both time and weather defeated us and we needed to complete the munros that we had missed to the east of the group.  Consequently we now found ourselves shouldering heavy packs and climbing steeply through the woods above the town passing some superb bright red fungi on the way..

It wasn't long before we came out onto the open mountainside on the main path to Loch Eilde  Mor. By now it was most definitely raining and it was time to don waterproofs, not a pleasant experience in warm weather, because, however breathable gortex fabric is, hard work still makes it feel like walking in a sauna.  Not long after reaching the loch we took the hill path heading up to Coire an Lochain at 2500 feet, our home for the next two nights.  We managed to get the tent up in the dry(ish) and retreated inside in the face of the continuing rain.  A relaxing evening ensued enhanced by two pot noodles each followed by instant whip made with dried milk and water; yum!!  Actually, after a hard day on the hills there is nothing like pot noodles and when all food has to be carried it weighs relatively little.  We did, obviously, also carry up some red wine to accompany the meal!  On the wildlife front the hillside surrounding us was covered with beautiful orange/red cloudberries.

Although we slept well (sort of) we did wake up at one point to find a puddle at the end of the tent.  It has done us good service for fifteen years now, but perhaps the time has come to replace it.