Walking on the Moon

I did it! That’s a wrap for me on the West Highland Way - phew! That was harder than I expected in ways and also easier than I expected. It’s May 12th and I’m sitting in my pod at Kinlochleven. I did the hike today from Glencoe Resort because I was sad thinking I wouldn’t do any of the actual “highlands” sections of the west highland way, and it really is just prettier on the second half. My ankle is feeling better enough and I managed it just fine! Even though today was the infamous “devil’s staircase” I didn’t think it was that bad. The Conic Hill day was harder and longer in my opinion, and that gets no “devil” name. I’m going to rest my ankle and not do the 15.6 miles tomorrow, since there is an easy 1 hour long bus right here.

So total west highland way mileage was 52.38 miles and 8,616 ft of elevation gain over the course of 5 days. 20hrs 54 mins of total walking time.

Things I learned:

• Making friends is important - we are all in this together! It also passes the time more.

• My body gave out on me before my stamina. I hardly broke a sweat or felt physically exhausted, it was my feet hurting or blistering, ankle flaring, knees (on downhill) that impeded me the most.

• Even though the trail is well-marked, having a map to check progress on my phone is nice.

• Taking breaks to drink water is fine - it’s not a race!

• Oftentimes the best weather was in the afternoons not mornings, so leaving a little later (weather permitting) is fine! The sun doesn’t set until 10pm so there is no rush.

• Carry blister plaster

• Cold water soaks help more than ice packs

• I loved the little electrolyte tablets, those were a good call. Snacks too.

• I didn’t have any revelatory thoughts or epiphanies by walking alone without music or podcasts, in fact my mind was usually blank. Or there was a song stuck in my head, or I was thinking about where to put my feet so I didn't eat it. Maybe that’s a form of meditation though? I don’t like listening to music when I hike alone because it makes me feel disconnected from the scenery and less aware of my surroundings. If a biker is coming up behind me for example. It also drains battery life and makes me feel plugged in when I should be unplugged.

Some pics from today (like walking on another planet or the moon with all these mountains):

Here are the stats for the day:

Also yesterday I took the bus out of Tyndrum to the glencoe resort, then I took the chairlift up the mountain. It went right over a majestic waterfall cascading down the side of the mountain. I did a short 30 min walk to the peak and took in the magnificent views! I could clearly see Ben Nevis in the distance - the highest peak in Britain. It’s also next to Fort William, where I’m going tomorrow. I’m feeling a wee bit of a cold coming on because of all this travel, fingers crossed it goes away fast!

^ toasting to the mountains with a sip of my to-go Oban whiskey from the top of Glencoe mountain.

^Peak rock piles

Selfie with the mountain