If Challengers do find themselves on the south side of the Kingie and it's uncrossable, these days it's not as bad as it used to be to trudge along the south bank.

This is because there's now a new track you pick up a few hundred metres to the east of Lochan nan Sgud that'll take you merrily on your way to join up with your original route eastwards down the Kingie after it has crossed over to the south bank. This track has one or two little streams to cross - but nothing frightening.

You still have the Allt Coire an Stangain Bhig to get over (not too bad if you take it in the two stages south of the confluence) and one or two other crossings as well. And remember it's very slow going on the south bank too - and there' six miles of it. But it is do-able with time and a little persistence - but we all have that, don't we?

Thanks for that information Alan, duly noted. Though, in a sense, I wish that it wasn't there; another stretch of wilderness partly tamed. I'd still stress though that Challengers would do well to avoid the situation of having to use the south bank at all. As I recall, the going is very arduous and would be unpleasant indeed in wind and rain.

I certainly agree with that, Colin.

The many flooded peat groughs that will have to be crossed are a nightmarish prospect, with detour after detour.

Thanks to all for the info and advice. I have modified the route to go North from Glendessarry and cross the Kinge at the first available opportunity and camp.

I have a FWA along Loch Arkaig – but I hope to avoid road walk so early in the event, but the weather will be in charge of that..

Thanks Again, William

You know, William, I don't have nearly such a downer on the Loch Arkaig road as some of the others here.

I've walked it twice - on my first Challenge in 2000 (when it was the route on my route card), and after getting trapped by the weather at Oban bothy in 2012 (when I had diverted through Glen Pean and had no real alternative).

Yes, it's a road ... but as roads go, I don't think they come much better for walking.