Kinlochlevan to Glen Nevis
Distance: 23km
The Blackwater campsite was such a pleasure! The amenities were fantastic and my clothes were so gross. I really needed to wash them. But being me, I chose to wash everything in the shower because they had a drying room and I thought to myself…perfect…I will wash everything up and then dry them in the drying room. Then I read the sign….They only turn it on when it is raining…Well poo….Now nothing was going to dry by morning despite being quick dry as we were going into evening and there would be no help from the sun. Add a colder night to the mix and it sure was a chilly start to the morning. Hiker lesson learned.
Leaving Kinlochlevan started out the same as every other day so far….climbing! But this climb was going to take me deeper into the mountains. I did not know how painful this day was going to become. The climb took about an hour or so and then opened up to a wide old carriage tract with a rocky terrain. I am not sure why this kind of tract was so hard but I could guess it was because my feet were already sore from the day before and Altra Lone Peaks are not as thick as boots and so you can feel larger rocks under your feet. Not to mention, mine were about 5 years old. I knew this could be a potential issue when I had hit the trail on Day 1 but I also did not want to be starting out in brand new shoes. So, I suppose it was a bit of a catch 22.
There were several building ruins along the way that had so much character and historical reference. No plaques to outline what they were but they sure gave me something to imagine as I made my way along the way. Today was also the day I would say “goodbye” to many of the hikers I had met along the way. It would be the last time I saw the two guys with their dog (yup I forgot their names), Scott and his crew and Melina, the girl from Austria. Making trail friends, also known as a tramly, was very unique for me. I was quite surprised at how open I was to meeting people and engaging in ongoing conversations with them throughout the week. I am a bit of an introvert when it comes to people I don’t know or when I am thrust into a social situation with a lot of people. Something I am working on but I am going to say the magic of the trail and being around people of the same hobbies really did open up the freedom in my mind to just be me with no pre-thought. It was so nice to experience that. Something I brought home with me and hope to continue experiencing.
As the day progressed and I eventually made it out of the open carriage tract my feet were trashed. I really wanted to set up camp knowing I had about another 7km to go to get to Glen Nevis but I also did not want to stop so early in the day. I don’t even think it was noon yet. And, I did not want to have such a long day the next day either. So, I chose to push on. I was trying really hard to enjoy this last day but when one’s feet are screaming at you it does make that quite difficult. Hiker lesson number two of the day….Stop being so worried about mileage. I know looking back now that if I had of stopped more frequently and took more breaks I probably would not have had that problem. I would have given my feet the rest they needed throughout the day so it was not as painful getting into camp.
I arrived into Glen Nevis almost in tears around 3pm and was so grateful to drop my pack, set up camp and just relax. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful spot to set up. I hobbled my way through my set up and then went off to take a well deserved shower. I took flip flops along with me as camp shoes and that is something I fully recommend! Take Camp Shoes!!!! Your feet will want them at the end of the day.
I curled up in my tent and read, watched and relaxed. Oh…and I ate and ate and ate. I did not have to worry about needing food for the next day and I was hungry! Eventually Allen showed up and it wasn’t long before his tent was set up and I could hear him taking his afternoon siesta that was his usual routine. I couldn’t do that. If I slept that late in the day there would be no sleeping for me that night. Kudos to him!
I went to bed that night feeling bittersweet. My last night in my tent. My last night on the WHW. My last night on my first thru-hike ever.
DanCyn' Adventures 