Hi Trevor

Can I suggest you check the Event Details? Firstly, the northern boundary is the road to Kinlochewe, so you are precluded from climbing north-east. So as you very sensibly want to avoid the tarmac, you are fairly likely to be heading south-east for some of the time.

Which route you choose is very much up to you and is part of the fun of the Challenge. As the Event Details state: "The Challenge is all about producing your own personal bespoke route". So your best course of action is to spend time working through the map and devising your route. Then, if you have a specific question about a bit you're unsure about, for example a river crossing or what looks like a tricky descent, by all means ask here.

On the whole it's best not to ask for people's routes. Only you can match your skills and experience against what the map is telling you. You can of course look at previous reports and blogs to get some ideas.

Happy planning!

Vanessa

Hi Vanessa.

Thanks for the info. I realise where the boundary is and have now worked out a start going S over the bridge and turning E then SE aiming for Gerry's Hostel. This is just provisional planning, as we may not even start at Torridon. I appreciate the sentiment in your message and would never copy another's route although duplication is sometimes difficult to avoid. Thanks again and hopefully, if I'm invited again this year, our paths will cross somewhere en-route.

Very best.

Trevor

You're welcome. It's an area I love with so many different options for routes to Gerry's. (As Gerry is no longer with us, now run by his son - or it was last time I stayed).

One thing you won't find on either the 1:50 or 1:25 maps is the Old Pony Track, taken by the Ettrick Shepherd back in the day, although I'm pretty sure it's in Scottish Hill Tracks. If you find yourself descending towards Glen Carron on the Coulin pass there is a path coming down from the bend at NH 241 496 that takes you more directly down to the road about half a mile west of the hostel. It's marked at both ends by a green footpath sign.

Vanessa

Hi Vanessa
I went that way in 2017 and was looking for the little track you mention. You can see a photo of where it leaves the main track here. Although the Scotways sign is still there, the little track has sadly been turned into a bulldozed monstrosity.

Emma, thanks. I've used it a couple of times, but I last went in 2016 so hadn't seen recent changes. What a shame.

Vanessa

:blush: f yes,,