Highland Trail 550 - 2020

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slarge
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by slarge »

That concrete pad doesn't look very inviting (mind you, the Hydro bothy was never luxurious), but it looks like a 40 minute push to Contin is the way forward now......
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sean_iow
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by sean_iow »

ScotRoutes wrote: Mon Apr 13, 2020 7:23 pm It was basic but always seemed pretty sound.

There is another (open-sided) shelter/bothy very close by.
Which direction is that? I'd not spotted anything else but then I wasn't really looking.

The Hydro was basic but looked better than being outside if the weather was bad. It must have deteriorated in the last 2 years as it looks ok in my picture from 2018.

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[Image

It was certainly in better structural condition than Corrimony was in 2019 with some 'issues' with the stonework on the right-hand end.

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ScotRoutes
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by ScotRoutes »

I'm not sure what our site policy is in identifying private bothies....

It's about 4km East. English translation is The hangman's house :???: :shock: :lol:
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Richpips
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by Richpips »

Fond memories of that bothy from 2015.

2 big polystyrene sheets as mattresses, and coal and wood for the fire. Oh yes and someone had left 3/4 of a bottle of whisky.

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Bedmaker
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by Bedmaker »

I never heard anything about the bothy going. IT always looked pretty sound whenever I was in it.

It would be interesting to hear from a MBA rep what the reason was.
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by ScotRoutes »

I don't think it was a MBA bothy.
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sean_iow
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by sean_iow »

The sign seems to indicate it was privately maintained?

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Richpips
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by Richpips »

We've been in the Hydo Bothy a number of times. I am always amazed by how much colder it is inside than outside.
AlasdairMc
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by AlasdairMc »

ScotRoutes wrote: Tue Apr 14, 2020 12:49 pm I'm not sure what our site policy is in identifying private bothies....

It's about 4km East. English translation is The hangman's house :???: :shock: :lol:
It’s also slightly off the route, so probably not particularly appealing to the hardened racers.
Dean
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by Dean »

I have been doing some map sleuthing (nothing else to do so I am trying to trick my head into imagining that I am riding hills) and I have found that a Stores/Tea Room opened in October at Rosehall/Invercassley just after Oykel Bridge. Hope they can survive the virus.
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Mart
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by Mart »

Bedmaker wrote: Mon Apr 13, 2020 6:47 pm Nothing left but a concrete pad.
Pic taken yesterday.

Image2020-04-13_06-43-13
Sad to see we’ve lost another bothy. I slept there last year. Apart from a broken window pane and a door that rattled it was OK.
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fatbikephil
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by fatbikephil »

Looks like we've dodged a bullet folks. Long range forecast was looking pretty good until last week and then its nosedived since, exactly like last year!

Showers on Saturday developing into heavy rain and high winds through into Sunday, mixed thereafter.....
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ChrisS
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by ChrisS »

htrider wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 9:43 am Looks like we've dodged a bullet folks. Long range forecast was looking pretty good until last week and then its nosedived since, exactly like last year!

Showers on Saturday developing into heavy rain and high winds through into Sunday, mixed thereafter.....
I've been secretly hoping this would happen :lol:
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sean_iow
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by sean_iow »

htrider wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 9:43 am Looks like we've dodged a bullet folks. Long range forecast was looking pretty good until last week and then its nosedived since, exactly like last year!

Showers on Saturday developing into heavy rain and high winds through into Sunday, mixed thereafter.....
Doesn't help me as I had planned to finish my ITT by today and I would currently be sat outside the Tyndrum Inn drinking a beer :sad: As it is I'm sat in my front room working*

*obviously working also includes looking on the forum :lol:
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Escape Goat
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by Escape Goat »

I've been busy making plans when I've not been busy working. Still full time, but 2 days a week I don't really do a great deal of anything right now.

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Quite fun seeing where resupply / bothy / bnbs are .
ScotRoutes
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by ScotRoutes »

You missed the Corrour Station Restaurant :shock:
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Escape Goat
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by Escape Goat »

Until now! Thanks :)

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sean_iow
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by sean_iow »

ScotRoutes wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 2:21 pm You missed the Corrour Station Restaurant :shock:
Isn't that a long way off the HT550 route?
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whitestone
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by whitestone »

sean_iow wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 3:11 pm
ScotRoutes wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 2:21 pm You missed the Corrour Station Restaurant :shock:
Isn't that a long way off the HT550 route?

I managed to find it a couple of years ago :lol:

It's close to the original route that went out via the WHW to Kinlochleven then over to Meanach bothy and down the Abhainn Rath past Corrour Lodge and meets up with the current route at Ardverikie.
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FLV
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by FLV »

whitestone wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 3:20 pm
sean_iow wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 3:11 pm
ScotRoutes wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 2:21 pm You missed the Corrour Station Restaurant :shock:
Isn't that a long way off the HT550 route?

I managed to find it a couple of years ago :lol:

It's close to the original route that went out via the WHW to Kinlochleven then over to Meanach bothy and down the Abhainn Rath past Corrour Lodge and meets up with the current route at Ardverikie.
I got turned away from the station in 2014, hadn't booked you see :roll: Wouldn't even sell me the cupcakes to take away :cry: :cry:
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whitestone
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by whitestone »

I think it's changed hands a couple of times since then. I had a different experience in 2018 - http://bobwightman.blogspot.com/2018/05 ... ll-no.html
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Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by Bearbonesnorm »

Anyone planning an ITT this year assuming lock-down / restrictions are lifted before Julember?
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boxelder
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by boxelder »

I was, but we'll be right into midge season. Aim to do something over a few days up north in the 'Indian Summer'.
Maybe just the southern or northern loop - both have changed quite a lot.
AlasdairMc
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by AlasdairMc »

We’ll need to review the list of supply stops after this as there’s a real risk some may disappear in the next few months. Plenty of precarious operations using their summer takings to pay their winter debts, and if opening delays much then they may not have that chance.

I'll do my bit by heading up to the highlands when permitted though.
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ChrisS
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Re: Highland Trail 550 - 2020

Post by ChrisS »

Bearbonesnorm wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 5:19 pm Anyone planning an ITT this year assuming lock-down / restrictions are lifted before Julember?
Not all, but perhaps part of it. Though, even if restrictions permit it, the welcome in some small communities may be uncertain for a bit.

I've been a bit startled by the extreme reactions in my small village (which in normal times relies almost 100% on visitors for income) to the "strangers" who have appeared on rare occasions during the lockdown. There's been some ugly behaviour on display. I think this sort of residual suspicion will take a while to clear away.
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