Challenge Complete!

Saturday morning. 8.45. Gailochy….excitement, slight nerves, trepidation. Thoughts: ‘Have I got the right footwear?’; ‘Will my feet blister, and if so, when?’; ‘Will the weather improve?’

Sunday morning. 6.00. Strathfillan Wigwams…‘I want to go home!’

The drive to Fort William for registration was perfect – blue skies as if it were the opening titles of The Simpsons, a pleasant pace with only a little congestion, and an ice cream at The Green Welly Stop at Tyndrum, where the rest of the team rolled in over the course of an hour. Once forms had been signed we made the move to Fort Bill and the Nevis Centre where we had to formally register, get our numbers and goody bags (with essential cap with midge net attached) and listen to a safety briefing advising, amongst other things, about how to drop out and how to use the portaloos without making a mess of them!

Friday night was spent at the Old Pines Lodge near Spean Bridge, about 1.5 miles from the start line. A wonderful 3 course ‘last supper’ was devoured by our carb-building team, whilst the midges laid siege to the outside of the building. Spirits were high, nerves were starting to jangle. The support crew made final preparations for the vehicles.

A hearty breakfast of cereal, fruit, porridge, toast, set me up for the day, and it was comforting to see nothing like a full Scottish being eaten by my team-mates, as tempting as it was. Soon it was time to make a move for the vehicles – the steady light drizzle and vicious midges made us all a little wary about what may come as we wound our way to the start line.

Minor issues reared their heads at this point, notably Gary realising his never-before-used second walking pole would not work, although Gillian Finn’s pole problems appeared to be rectified by the time we started.

Stage 1: Gairlochy to Fort William. 8 miles.

Not only was this an easy start to the walk, but it was unfortunately the most un-inspiring, although certainly not dull. Poles knocked together as you walked in such close proximity to other walkers so it proved too tempting for Gary and I not to push on and find a gap where walkers were moving at a more decisive pace. About 7 miles along a tree-lined canal followed by a mile down a busy road meant we were all eager to get this stage finished, and get in to the more rural sections.

The support crew met us in the first of their fancy dress outfits of the day, based on the Burns & Burlesque fundraiser earlier in the year. A welcome early lunch of soup and a roll was taken before we headed out, almost as one, to tackle the longest section of the route.

Stage 2: Fort William to Kinlochleven. 16 miles.

Once we had negotiated the residential areas we went off road, for what felt like the first time. The tourist route of Ben Nevis came in to view – even shrouded in cloud it makes you feel pretty small. A trudge up the stone track took us to a small exit in to the forest, easily missed as evidenced by the Highlanders who passed us for the second time, admitting they had run two miles further up the road than they should have!

By this time, Gary was starting to feel discomfort from his blisters, meaning regular stops to dress his feet as best he could. I decided to press on and make up time on the relatively flat terrain, eventually overtaking James, Louise and Derek at the water stop. Derek passed me after about 12 miles, jogging away claiming to have got his second wind. I was slightly concerned this had come to early, a prophetic thought as it turned out.

James, Nic and Gary soon caught up (after I used the time to myself to enjoy the views and take a few photos) and Gary and I arrived at Kinlochleven to be greeted by Katrina and Karen dressed as wine waiters. Gary initially passed up the offer of wine, but changed his mind once he was told what it really was!

As it was near enough tea time we ate as much of the delicious pasta with chorizo as we could muster, with the thought of a climb to the top of the Devil’s staircase filling our heart with dread. Gary’s feet were dressed by the first aid crew before we left – probably the best idea he had all day!

Stage 3: Kinlochleven to Glencoe Ski Centre. 10 miles.

This stage was, for me, like purgatory.

Straight after such a hearty meal it was straight in to a slog through trees and up a tarmac road which seemed to last forever. Sensibly, Gary decided not to wait for me, as my stomach was not happy at being expected to digest on the go. The situation was not helped by what James had described as a basin of a place, where the heat just seems to sit. I felt awful, and felt little better when I got to the sign telling me I was at the foot of the Devil’s staircase.

Weirdly, I found the going a lot better at this point. I had stopped for five minutes to contemplate how I felt, and what was to come with the next section of the climb, only to find myself feeling stronger and stronger. A slight pain on the outside of my foot held me up a while, allowing Gillian and Louise to pass me, with the news Robin had been delayed after returning to CP2 to get rid of his leaking water bladder.

Soon, Glencoe came in to view, and I descended the staircase with Jason (from another team, but who was a friend of some of our team) and soaked up the atmosphere. A theme emerged at the next water stop – they all seemed to be where the midges were congregating. After approaching the Glencoe Ski Centre for what seemed like a hundred miles we pitched up at CP 3 just after 9pm.

Things were taking a turn at this time. Derek’s feet were suffering, probably due to his earlier efforts, and Nic was receiving intensive massage to help her back and legs. Gary and James had left already and the back three of Robin, Gillian and Louise were approaching at various paces.

I changed clothes ready for the chill of night and loaded up with food from the crew (dressed in Hawaiian outfits) and headed off with my company for the night, in the shape of Nic.

Stage 4: Glencoe Ski Centre to Inveroran. 8 miles.

We soon realised the temperature was not going to be as cold as anticipated and removed our goretex jackets for the last time. Stage 4 turned out to be quite a slog along painfully stony paths.

The dark drew in at about 11pm with cloud to keep the warmth, and the surreal sight of trails of bobbing head torches guided our way. We both had our moments on this leg where we felt pretty drained, although we did what we had to in order to encourage the other forward. Nic lost her humour for a while, whilst I felt like I could have sleep-walked the last part of the leg.

A pretty uneventful walk eventually saw us arrive at CP4 just before 1am. With no support crew to help us I had to get my achingly stiff legs to carry me to the carvery, where a very enjoyable bowl of mushroom stroganoff was just what I needed.

What we didn’t know at this stage was that Derek, one of our strongest team members, had dropped out.

Stage 5: Inveroran to Strathfillan Wigwams. 12 miles.

Nic charged out of the tent after 30 minutes stop, with me hobbling behind, trying to free my legs of the stiffness that was enveloping them! A gentle climb had them free of pain and we arrived at Bridge of Orchy where Katrina and Gillian met us with trainers for Nic. If only I’d had the foresight – my feet were just beginning to tell me they were blistering.

We now headed on to the path we had covered on one of our training walks; a long, fairly bleak track by the railway line which seems to go on forever.

With about 4 miles to go, and Tyndrum within reach, Nic headed off on her won, as my feet were now slowing me considerably. The sun was rising and the mist was creating a wonderful atmosphere, but my feet were killing me! On arriving at Tyndrum a marshall told me “only 2 and three quarter miles left!” I could have swung for him – it wasn’t what I needed to hear, as this sounded like a lifetime of walking still to do.

Behind us, Robin had hit trouble at CP4, collapsing and meaning Louise had to stay with him until he had been assessed. Further ahead, Gillian was being ferried to the finish in a car after her knees prevented her being able to carry on.

With the finish in sight (about 20 minutes away) I could hear the PA announce Nic finishing (over an hour after Gary and James!) – it spurred me on to hobble the last mile or so until I finally got there, with team members enthusiastically urging me on.

My first reaction was to get changed and go for a massage on my aching calves, with limited effect, except to make me howl in pain!

Once Louise had belatedly made it back we headed home, vowing never to do it again. Well, maybe not…

Route