Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2008 11:07:02 GMT
Mission accomplished ;D
Willie, (n4naked) and me managed 4 crossings of the pass in weather varying from drizzle to low cloud, and wild gales.
It all began on Tuesday 9th with a great run up to Wester Ross in pretty good weather, but as soon as we turned off the main road (A896) just after Loch Kishorn, the drizzle started, and the wind was up at gale level. The sight of the ascent was awe inspiring. You ride in to what looks like a closed off glen and right at the top the road (single track) becomes a series of really tight hairpins and finally you make it over.
Looking back down to Loch Kishorn
The descend towards Applecross village has fewer hairpins but some very exposed built up straights where the gale made for some white knuckle moments.
The rains was now pretty steady as we made our way back over the pass and headed for Torridon for a night at the hostel. This is a purpose built place and very well equipped.
Luckily we had loaded up with essentials at Applecross, (lager) as the there was no wayy we were walking 1.5 miles to the pub in the gale & steady rain.
Next morning the hills were under cloud and it was raining on & off. We took a run along to Kinlochewe to fuel up and hopefully see some of Torridon Glen which is spectacular. It was spectacularly wild and we did get fleeting glimpses of the top of the mountains.
We skated back to the turn of for the pass again only pausing to let Willie do some recycling.
Is that a big black t*t behind us or an eagle?
Climbing up the pass , we couldn't see the last few hundred feet for low cloud being blown through by another gale.
Down at the village we got settled in to the pub and refuelled with a fish supper. The place was packed and a wood burning stove was on. Reluctantly we left for the 4th crossing of the pass, this time clearer but very wet.
The run back to Glasgow was going reasonably well, a bit of rain and less wind, then a sting in the tail coming down Loch Lomond.
An absolute torrent
If you've never done the Applecross Pass I would thoroughly recommend it.
It compares with any climbs I've done in the Alps and Pyrenees,maybe even more challenging due to the single track road. And the bonus is a great fish supper at the Inn,
which we both forgot to pay for
, but Willie sorted out later ;D
Willie, (n4naked) and me managed 4 crossings of the pass in weather varying from drizzle to low cloud, and wild gales.
It all began on Tuesday 9th with a great run up to Wester Ross in pretty good weather, but as soon as we turned off the main road (A896) just after Loch Kishorn, the drizzle started, and the wind was up at gale level. The sight of the ascent was awe inspiring. You ride in to what looks like a closed off glen and right at the top the road (single track) becomes a series of really tight hairpins and finally you make it over.
Looking back down to Loch Kishorn
The descend towards Applecross village has fewer hairpins but some very exposed built up straights where the gale made for some white knuckle moments.
The rains was now pretty steady as we made our way back over the pass and headed for Torridon for a night at the hostel. This is a purpose built place and very well equipped.
Luckily we had loaded up with essentials at Applecross, (lager) as the there was no wayy we were walking 1.5 miles to the pub in the gale & steady rain.
Next morning the hills were under cloud and it was raining on & off. We took a run along to Kinlochewe to fuel up and hopefully see some of Torridon Glen which is spectacular. It was spectacularly wild and we did get fleeting glimpses of the top of the mountains.
We skated back to the turn of for the pass again only pausing to let Willie do some recycling.
Is that a big black t*t behind us or an eagle?
Climbing up the pass , we couldn't see the last few hundred feet for low cloud being blown through by another gale.
Down at the village we got settled in to the pub and refuelled with a fish supper. The place was packed and a wood burning stove was on. Reluctantly we left for the 4th crossing of the pass, this time clearer but very wet.
The run back to Glasgow was going reasonably well, a bit of rain and less wind, then a sting in the tail coming down Loch Lomond.
An absolute torrent
If you've never done the Applecross Pass I would thoroughly recommend it.
It compares with any climbs I've done in the Alps and Pyrenees,maybe even more challenging due to the single track road. And the bonus is a great fish supper at the Inn,
which we both forgot to pay for
, but Willie sorted out later ;D
