HT 550 Logistics Help.

[Ray Young]

I have a notion to do the HT 550 over 10 days towards the end of March when my wife is away on holiday. Can anyone point out links or sites to help planning with regard to refueling and easy/hard sections? Thanks.

[ScotRoutes]

There's usually at least one post each year in the threads here outlining what the refreshment/replenishment stops are. There's been a wee bit of churn but they've mostly not changed.

[whitestone]

I don't know about "sites" but a search through the various HT threads for each year should provide most of the info.

Difficult bits: I presume you mean likely to be unrideable either in part or as a whole section

Ben Alder Singletrack, mostly rideable, just watch out for the water bars!
Corrieyairack Pass, the last zig-zags will be a push for most
Loch ma Stack, maybe 1km along the loch side boulders
Bealach Horn Loop, Gobernuisgach Lodge to the split boulder at Lone
Ledmore traverse from Suileag bothy to the road at Ledmore junction
Not sure about the new bit after Ullapool to the Dundonnell Road
Phil should know about the Loch a Bhraoin - Loch an Nid track, I've not done it.
Strath na Sealga - frustrating due to lots of burn and drainage crossings. The river crossing is OK so long as it's not in flood and/or there isn't a strong upstream wind blowing.
The climb over to Carnmore is just a push/carry to the plateau then mostly rideable.
The stalker's track out to Poolewe is OK but again water bars.
Torridon descent - very technical but even walking it doesn't take long.
Glen Ling - annoying because there's an obviously easy track on the other side of the river. Make sure you get the right path to find the gate in the deer fence.
Glen Licht, big hike-a-bike to get to Camban bothy
Kinlochleven descent
Devil's Staircase, up and down.

I think I've got your email Ray, I'll send you a document

[Ray Young]

Thanks Whitestone. I've found Lars Henning account and map download on bikepacking. com so I'll start with that.

[fatbikephil]

Some of the hike a bike will be right up your street Ray In reality the H-A-B isn't too bad (when compared to, say, the bloody awful drag from Fruid res over to Moffat ) but there some longish sections of proper techy riding. After the B350 it will be easy!

I take it your doing the '19 route? I know it backwards so any questions drop me a pm.

https://philsbikepacking.blogspot.com/2 ... -2015.html
https://philsbikepacking.blogspot.com/2 ... -2017.html
https://philsbikepacking.blogspot.com/2 ... stuff.html

blah blah blah....

[Ray Young]

Hi Phil, thanks for that, I'll peruse them tomorrow.

[Mariner]

There are a set of notes with all that information on.
Cant remember who I got it from but will see if I still have it.

edit - that was easy pm me your email and I will send it over.

[Jonathan]

I'm doing the Highland 550 starting about April 15th. Could someone lie to me and tell me that most of the snow will be gone and it'll will be sunny and nice please?

[FLV]

I'm doing the Highland 550 starting about April 15th. Could someone lie to me and tell me that most of the snow will be gone and it'll will be sunny and nice please?

15th april you say, absolute best weather window that, ideal..

[ScotRoutes]

Statistically, we have more white Easters than whites Xmases. Having said that, the warmer air temps and longer (sunnier) spring days do tend to melt the snow quicker than in, say, December or January. Of course, melt means water...

Glencoe ski area was reporting last week that they had too much snow in places

Overall though, snow would likely be confined to the highest, most inland areas. You have a reasonable chance of coming across some snow on the Corrieyairack, a lot less likely elsewhere.