Torridon 3
- gear hiking scotland
I arrive at the top of Ben Damh, there is a proper cairn and a little shelter built from rocks. My plan was that the sun comes out now that I’m up here, but it doesn’t, so I don’t hang around and turn back. I leave the ridge and lose the path. I wander around the rocky moor, every rock seems familiar but then isn’t. Eventually I spot a cairn and find the path again.
Back at the bealach it starts to rain harder. The water is sloshing in my boots and I have to put on gloves as the cold wind is draining all the heat from my wet hands. Walking down, the previously wet path has now turned into a proper burn. Not that that would make any difference for my already soaking wet feet. The trouble is that my boots are waterproof, so the water isn’t going to go anywhere.
I see a group of walkers crossing a river below me and joining my path ahead of me. I catch up with them. Turns out they tried to climb Ben Damh as well but gave up because of the weather. I tell them they didn’t miss much and stride sprightly past them, feeling young, strong and not just a little smug.
Reaching the woods I spot a massive waterfall that I’m sure wasn’t there before. The rain finally eases for just long enough to take a picture.
Back at the car, conveniently parked at the Torridon Inn, I empty my boots, wring out my socks, and get a soup and a coffee in the pub and check out my gear. My trousers are completety soaked as are my pants. But my jacket did a fantastic job at keeping me dry and toasty all day. My waterproof rucksack looks very wet but everything inside is dry. Strangely, the pocket in the lid at the top is not waterproof even though the rain usually gets there first… Other than that, I’m very happy with this purchase, it’s comfy and roomy.
Back at the hostel I share my fruity tea with some Germans. They are on a supported mountain bike trip and got mugged in Nottinghamshire. Everyone is gathered in the panorama lounge, watching and listening to the rain together, Scottish, English, Germans united, drinking tea.
The Scottish boys are from Glasgow and give me their leftover chilli con carne - nice! I didn’t plan my provisions well, and shops are few and far between. Now, instead of having spaghetti & pesto every night, I have two nights of spaghetti & chilli!
Back at the bealach it starts to rain harder. The water is sloshing in my boots and I have to put on gloves as the cold wind is draining all the heat from my wet hands. Walking down, the previously wet path has now turned into a proper burn. Not that that would make any difference for my already soaking wet feet. The trouble is that my boots are waterproof, so the water isn’t going to go anywhere.
I see a group of walkers crossing a river below me and joining my path ahead of me. I catch up with them. Turns out they tried to climb Ben Damh as well but gave up because of the weather. I tell them they didn’t miss much and stride sprightly past them, feeling young, strong and not just a little smug.
Reaching the woods I spot a massive waterfall that I’m sure wasn’t there before. The rain finally eases for just long enough to take a picture.
Back at the car, conveniently parked at the Torridon Inn, I empty my boots, wring out my socks, and get a soup and a coffee in the pub and check out my gear. My trousers are completety soaked as are my pants. But my jacket did a fantastic job at keeping me dry and toasty all day. My waterproof rucksack looks very wet but everything inside is dry. Strangely, the pocket in the lid at the top is not waterproof even though the rain usually gets there first… Other than that, I’m very happy with this purchase, it’s comfy and roomy.
Back at the hostel I share my fruity tea with some Germans. They are on a supported mountain bike trip and got mugged in Nottinghamshire. Everyone is gathered in the panorama lounge, watching and listening to the rain together, Scottish, English, Germans united, drinking tea.
The Scottish boys are from Glasgow and give me their leftover chilli con carne - nice! I didn’t plan my provisions well, and shops are few and far between. Now, instead of having spaghetti & pesto every night, I have two nights of spaghetti & chilli!
