HT550 - 2017

[ton]

Rich, how long are you planning on taking?

i have a 2 week window whenever i want. planning on doing this at a very slow enjoyable pace, visiting pubs when open and spending a extra night or 2 at stops on the west coast.

[ianfitz]

Rich, how long are you planning on taking?

i have a 2 week window whenever i want. planning on doing this at a very slow enjoyable pace, visiting pubs when open and spending a extra night or 2 at stops on the west coast.

Did you read Lars article on that? http://www.bikepacking.com/routes/highland-trail-550/

[ton]

cheers Ian.

[Richpips]

Rich, how long are you planning on taking?

We're hoping to be done inside 8 days Tony.

[ton]

We're hoping to be done inside 8 days Tony.

not much pub time then........

good luck mate, enjoy yourselves.

[Zippy]

Bon voyage

[fatbikephil]

Best of luck - pretty damn dry out there just now. Look out for hydro scheme works down the pattack - there is a short diversion at one point but no drama

[Richpips]

Thanks guys, we've bought a number of train tickets today.



Looking forward to being in Tyndrum tomorrow.

[Mariner]

Just for reference/general information the overnight sleeper Euston to Fortwilliam stops at Crew and Tyndrum.
I think its at Tyndrum at 0759 am so you could call in the Real Food Cafe and make the start of the main event if you were doing that.

[AlasdairMc]

Just for reference/general information the overnight sleeper Euston to Fortwilliam stops at Crew and Tyndrum.
I think its at Tyndrum at 0759 am so you could call in the Real Food Cafe and make the start of the main event if you were doing that.

You've clearly never tried to get served quickly in the Real Food Cafe.

[ScotRoutes]

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/news/20 ... n/0016247/

2.5km of path repairs to be done on the approach to Suilven from Lochinver.

[ton]

just a quickie, been watching Rich and Tom pipps progress today. 83 miles today. good stuff

[ZeroDarkBivi]

That's good news. Pity it's not the 'track' going the other way to Ledmore that's being sorted!

[fatbikephil]

Seem to be making good progress and a few hours ahead of where they were on their attempt in '15

[ton]

150 miles in 2 days is bloody vaguely exciting.

[fatbikephil]

Looks like Stus swear filter is at work here so to be clear its bloody fantastic!
Not sure where they are kipping as it looks like they are dossing in a roadside ditch... good campsite at Contin as well...

[ton]

looks like they have called it a day. cold weather and not warm enough clothes. save it for a warmer time of year.

[padonbike]

Agree with HT rider - weird stretch of road to stop on just outside of Contin.
Dot hasn't moved all day from here so I think Ton is right, they're not going on.

[ScotRoutes]

Rich has tweeted that they've called it off on account of it being too cold.

[Richpips]

A full report in due course.

Tom was flying ! He was loads faster than 2015. He was close to my 2014 completion times.

Rain showers coupled by wind and even some snow flurries were just much cooler conditions than expected. We were never shivering, but we were mostly cold.

We made Contin in high spirits and relatively unfatigued. We ate hot food, and drank hot drinks.

A cold night camping with a punctured mat each, followed by forecasts of more "wintry showers" in the morning.

I questioned our safety margin.

Basically we were carrying 2-3 season gear, and we needed winter stuff.

We'll be back (again). :)

[Bearbonesnorm]

Bad luck Rich but I'm sure the right call for the conditions.

[whitestone]

Tough luck but fair play for having a go.

This weekend has been a lot colder than what was forecast almost up until Thursday night. As you say, not a lot of safety margin at this time of year. I remember your comments from your 2015 trip along the same lines.

[Richpips]

I remember your comments from your 2015 trip along the same lines.

We had warmer clothing and carried a stove and extra food this time.

If I'd known how much colder it was going to be, we wouldn't have gone. The extra weight of a stronger tent, winter mats and sleeping bags would have not made the trip viable for Tom and I.

[Dave Barter]

I just watched the weather forecast, you both made the right decision as it may be getting worse up there

[ScotRoutes]

I'm currently sitting outside the workshop in Inverness in a t-shirt

Quite a bit of snow on the summits between here and Ullapool earlier today though. The Arkle loop and Fisherfield/Torridon would have been "interesting".

Still, April in the Highlands innit? It can be 20c one day and -5c the next.