Our Final Total

Well we are now ready to hand over the money to Cancer Research UK. With the Just Giving page  and offline donations we have raised £4,602!

We are handing over the cheque at the Beatson Institute Open Evening tomorrow.

Thanks for all the donations and good wishes!

Day 7 - Kinlochleven to Fort William (15.33 miles)

Leaving Kinlochleven Anne has joined Scott and I whilst Charlie has taken the support vehicle onwards to Fort William. 

It's raining during our steep ascent out of Kinlochleven through birch woods, with stunning views views back down to Kinlochleven, and over Loch Leven below to the jagged tops of Aonach Eagach. The Way zigzags uphill to around 240m. Some parts are so steep it feels like you could fall backwards!

We next passed through the wooded gorge of the Allt Nathrach and then gradually ascended into Lairig Mor. 

Still gradually ascending towards the Mamores. Anne and I thought they were fantastic bits of scenery and because they were so close it felt a bit like watching a movie. The light at this point was great.

Continuing to climb to the high point of the col at about 340m, we then came across a ruined cottage. The stone walls must have been a metre thick. You'd need that to keep the cold and wind out! This place is so remote and desolate it must have been quite a life to live here!  

We then entered a harvested pine plantation with the Mamores in the background.

Now the route gets a little testing again with a long series of little ups and downs through the trees as we make our way towards Glen Nevis. 

We reach a col overlooking Glen Nevis.

Ben Nevis and view along Glen Nevis to Fort William. 

The official original end of the way after a long section of tarmac road to enter Fort William

The new end of the Way. By this time my feet had nearly given in

A sense of achievement was tinged with a bit of sadness due to the main reason we took this challenge on... but thanks to all our sponsors we have raised an amazing amount for CR UK.

My darling Jen would have been proud of all who took part with us and raised money with us. She would also have thought we were a couple of pelters for even attempting it. 

West Highland Way..... Done. Total distance 95.85 miles! Next challenge??????

Day 6 - Kings House to Kinlochleven (8.85 miles)

First views from our hotel in Glencoe.

More views of the magnificent Buachaille Etive Mor before the Devils Staircase

First views up the Devils Staircase

Views back while about 1/3 of way up the Devils Staircase

Over the top! 'Devils Staircase' 1 mile uphill bosh!

Onwards towards the Blackwater Reservoir, the Leven valley and the Mamores. 

The start of the long descent into Kinlochleven

We follow the hydroelectric pipeline right down (and I mean down!) into Kinlochleven

Day 6 done - Total Distance 80.52 miles

Day 5 - Bridge of Orchy to Kings House (Glencoe) (12.15miles)

After a little too long in the bar last night we woke full of the joys..... Not! But after a hearty breakfast we set off on today's "moderate" walk. As seems a daily occurrence we were greeted by another robin.

We crossed the Bridge of Orchy and headed uphill (again) into the woods for our first climb of the day.

Over the top of Màm Carraigh.

Loch Tulla in the mid distance

This was tough walking up the old road of unsurfaced cobbles 

The Way now continues along the western edge of Rannoch Moor and its Lochans and heads roughly north across the open moor.

Blackrock Cottage  and Buachaille Etive Mor.

WHW descends below Meall a’ Bhùiridh, home of Glen Coe ski centre

Looking back towards Rannoch Moor

Meall a' Bhuirdh and Buachaille Etive Mor

Day 5 done. Total distance - 71.67 miles.

Tomorrow the Devils Staircase!