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The day dawned very bright and very crisp, the freshly ploughed field outside was white over with frost and no one was too keen now for the hot tub outside. Forecast for the day was cold, but bright and sunny, with the chance of rain in the afternoon – now was the time to get out into the hills.
Once again ITN appeared to be sleepless and was busy preparing the porridge. It also came to my notice that the sarnies for the day had already been, mostly, made up. With everything washed and tidied up we loaded up the bus and were heading down the road at the back of seven. We soon felt the cold outside but the glorious sunshine made up for it. Of all the days during HM3 this was the one that had to be dry. The troops gathered from the bus and generally checked around to make sure they had all that was required for the day. Fruit, sarnies, water, first aid, spectacles, testicles, wallet n watch… and all the other bits…checked a.o.k. and it was off to the hills. Crossing the A9 was the last we’d see of traffic for at least seven hours.
The track leads through the forest, past a radio mast and thence out into the open with glorious views of the distant hills. Fantastic. We follow alongside Edendon Water which sits in the gully below us to our left. We are but a few miles in when Brew has trouble with his knee once again. GJ’s secondary knee support bandage thingy was brought into us and this seemed to ease his troubles for a while. He was determined to carry on despite this injury, much to the concerns of some. Our first river crossing was nothing but a trickle over a concrete road….simple pimple.
We continue towards Sronphadruig Lodge (dis used) along the track before crossing more water – a little trickier this time mind – to leave the track and join a narrow path. The path skirts along the edge of An Dùn, which peaks at 2713 ft, and its steep slope leads down to Loch an Dùn some 100 ft or so down to our right. On the opposite side of the Loch stands À Chaoirnich, which peaks at 2870 ft. The water in the Loch is dead calm and gave a mirror perfect image of the surrounding hills. Magic.
With Team Yomper well ahead they took the opportunity to mount ambush after ambush as the stragglers were ‘shot’ one by one. Gawd knows how many times we ‘died’. Gits.
Further along the path, between a gap in a dry stone wall, lay the remains of a headless animal – probably a deer – which Doz didn’t want to go anywhere near. She came around after she was told the only way is forward, unless you want to walk all the way back and not complete HM3. Tough choice ay?
What we couldn’t work out was, what happened to the head??? Did Team Yomper nick it??? Spooky!…and what’s for tea tonight?
The path eventually leads to another river crossing, Allt Loch an Dùn, which was more difficult than the last one. Although it was well spread out, it wasn’t too clear where the shallowest bits were but we all seemed to succeed in the end. There were rumours that one fell in – can’t believe that!!..it is also reported that he took it out on an innocent clump of heather – that won too!!!
From here its back to the wider track and the distant Loch Bhrodainn comes into view with Sròn Bhùirich (2782ft) to our right and Stac Dearg (2654 ft) to our left. The view is quite breathtaking.
The troops are now well spread out again, team Yomper are well ahead of the stragglers with Sergeant’s Gringo and Doz bringing up the rear. Even the struggling Brew was managing quite well at this stage.
The last of the river crossings was taken near Gaick Lodge as we tried hard to cross Allt Gharbh Ghaig without getting a boot full of water….some succeeded where others failed. Team Yomper were already into their pit-stop and ready once again to take to the hills. Team Gringo took a shorter break in an effort to stay with the advanced party. Didn’t work though.
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We pass Gaick Lodge to the echoing sounds of a barking pooch and this was the first sign of human habitation since the start of the walk some 11 miles or so back.
Loch an t-Seilich’s slightly rippling waters is to our left with peaks of Mullach Coire nan Dearcag (2847ft) and Bogha –cloiche (2946ft) on either side. I could overdose on this scenery. Another thing I could o/d on was the spring waters that trickled down from the hills. The opportunity of filling up the bottles of this ice-cold water was taken at every opportunity. I never knew water could taste so good. Towards the northern end of the Loch it was clear to see Brew was struggling and was offered the use of a spare walking pole. This helped him along tremendously and, with his headphones on, he ‘sang’ his way out of the pain barrier and limped along behind. At the head of Loch an t-Seilich lies Tromie Dam and, shortly after here, the stony track becomes a metalled road which made live so much easier for the injured trooper, this road then continued almost to the end of the walk.
The River Tromie is now our company as we head down the Glen with the same name. Although Glen Tromie is quite scenic it does become an anti-climax after the dramatic views earlier in the walk and I look forward to the day that I am able to do this walk in reverse. (No, not walking backwards!!). It is also clear to see that the River Tromie is never always as peaceful as this and the debris of past high waters can clearly be seen wrapped around the surrounding trees.
We finish the walk in sunshine at around 3 p.m (maybe earlier) and the forecast rain failed to materialise at this stage. We took out a much welcome can of booze and had a ‘celebratory’ little drink. Meanwhile, Brew is still hobbling back up the road and ITN when off in search of the injured trooper who was some 1 or 2 miles back. He eventually hobbled in to rapturous applause. Takes guts to do what he did – respect Dude.
On the bus then, and we’re off to Newtonmore for our beds. En route we pass by Ruthven Barracks, which was tentatively sussed out for an attack tomorrow. Should be a sinch.
The Newtonmore Hostel is always welcoming but it has to be said it is the most ‘compact’ of the venues we stayed at. There were eight bunks (4 on the top and 4 on the bottom) in the small room the lads were allocated which gave little room for the bags. It was all a bit cramped. Col’ stated that all the farters (frog treaders) should go on the top – this left very little room on the top deck!!
Our provisions, by now, were a little low and we’d run out of booze so Col’ and ITN went off to Tesco’s, Aviemore, in the bus for some more stock. Meanwhile, CS Gringo Jnr was given orders to meet Officer Cadet ITN Jnr off the bus from Glasgee at around 5 p.m. as he would be joining us for the rest of HMIII. Sergeant Doz and Private Mrs PB sorted out some of the troops washing, especially the smelly socks!!….and ‘froggy’ pants.
Our resident chef, yet again, expertly cooked the evening meal and we scoffed away to sounds of the Peatbog Faeries on the CD player. Quality.
Washing up done, it was time to hit the boozer and, for the first time during the evening, we had a choice of proper beers. The pool championship continued minus Brew who was resting his injured knee. Our collection bucket was left on the bar, which was gradually being filled up, nice one.
This great day was ended by the echoing sounds of trodden frogs as we climbed into the bunks………..pheeeeeeeert.