Mom took a video of Chad and I climbing the large wall.
Video on You Tube
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Yesterday at the Ice Factor
Note: I posted 5 different posts today in order to catch up with the last 5 days of activities. There are lots of pictures and you probably will have to click "older posts" at the bottom of the page to see all 5 posts from today. I labeled the last four days of the hike 1 of 4, 2 of 4 etc so you know where you are at in the posts. Hope you enjoy!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since we finished the way a day early we could now spend the next day at the Ice Factor. The Ice Factor is an activity center in Kinlochleven that is mainly known for its ice climbing wall which is considered the largest in the world. They also have 3 different rock climbing areas that are designated by skill. Outside they have a ropes course and huge swing that you can ride on too. And of course a pub.
After the 16 miler the day before Chad and I were not really feeling up to doing much there. Dad was kinda moping around because he wanted to climb the ice wall. I gave in and said fine, I would do it if he wanted too. Chad couldn't be left out so he reluctantly agreed to climb too. At 11:30 we were in the ice wall room getting our instructions. We were taught how to use and attempt to trust your crampons (which is really hard to do) and how to use ice picks properly. After a short instruction we tied in and Chad and I made the first climb up the small wall. We caught on to technique quickly but ice climbing is very different from anything we have ever done that we were using muscles that normally don't get used as often. It was physically exhausting but a hell of a lot of fun.
Since Dad had to belay for Chad on his first run up, they switched places so Dad could climb and I got to try the small wall a second time. My second time up was very quick and I almost beat Dad up the wall and he had a head start. Dad did well, but was using more arms than legs and wore himself out. We all were offered to try to large wall so Chad and I took the challenge and Dad opted out. I will admit that I was pretty reluctant but decided to anyway. We both made it almost to the top but our arms were shot by the time we made it nearly to the top and had to come down. We needed to be using more legs than arms too.
Even though we didn't want to do it at first we are really glad we did. It was an awesome experience and I am glad I don't live in Kinlochleven because I would be climbing that ice wall everyday and spending too much money!
After ice climbing we jumped on a bus and headed in to Fort William to our B &B. Which is neat old place that was a rectory and choir school for the local Episcopal Church at one time. We have had a good day walking around FW and will take a ride on Jacobite Train tomorrow afternoon that takes us to see more great views of Scotland.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since we finished the way a day early we could now spend the next day at the Ice Factor. The Ice Factor is an activity center in Kinlochleven that is mainly known for its ice climbing wall which is considered the largest in the world. They also have 3 different rock climbing areas that are designated by skill. Outside they have a ropes course and huge swing that you can ride on too. And of course a pub.
After the 16 miler the day before Chad and I were not really feeling up to doing much there. Dad was kinda moping around because he wanted to climb the ice wall. I gave in and said fine, I would do it if he wanted too. Chad couldn't be left out so he reluctantly agreed to climb too. At 11:30 we were in the ice wall room getting our instructions. We were taught how to use and attempt to trust your crampons (which is really hard to do) and how to use ice picks properly. After a short instruction we tied in and Chad and I made the first climb up the small wall. We caught on to technique quickly but ice climbing is very different from anything we have ever done that we were using muscles that normally don't get used as often. It was physically exhausting but a hell of a lot of fun.
Since Dad had to belay for Chad on his first run up, they switched places so Dad could climb and I got to try the small wall a second time. My second time up was very quick and I almost beat Dad up the wall and he had a head start. Dad did well, but was using more arms than legs and wore himself out. We all were offered to try to large wall so Chad and I took the challenge and Dad opted out. I will admit that I was pretty reluctant but decided to anyway. We both made it almost to the top but our arms were shot by the time we made it nearly to the top and had to come down. We needed to be using more legs than arms too.
 |
| Getting our boots and crampons on |
 |
| Getting ready to go in! |
 |
| Practicing the use of our crampons and moving horizontally along the wall |
 |
| First attempt up the small wall |
 |
| Kari nearly to top of the small wall and Dad is being tied in, Chad is on belay |
 |
| Starting up the large wall with instructor Bex on belay |
 |
| Chad going up the large wall, Dad on belay and instructor Connor keeping an eye on things |
Even though we didn't want to do it at first we are really glad we did. It was an awesome experience and I am glad I don't live in Kinlochleven because I would be climbing that ice wall everyday and spending too much money!
After ice climbing we jumped on a bus and headed in to Fort William to our B &B. Which is neat old place that was a rectory and choir school for the local Episcopal Church at one time. We have had a good day walking around FW and will take a ride on Jacobite Train tomorrow afternoon that takes us to see more great views of Scotland.
 |
| St Andrews Guest House, originally a rectory and choir school |
Post 4 of 4: Kinlochleven to Fort William July 3rd..LAST DAY
Originally we booked 2 nights in Kinlochleven because of our intention to go to the Ice Factor Activity Center. We had been hearing that the weather may deteriorate before or on the day we had planned to walk the last section of the way. We decided that we would walk to Fort William on July 3rd instead because the weather that day was supposed to really good.
We woke up to a real summer morning on the 3rd and had an early breakfast and was out on the trail by 8:30 am. Which was the earliest we had ever started during the past 10 days. All for good reason, as we had 16 miles that had to be done all at once. Just like the day before, our first task of the day was to climb up another ridge similar to Devils Staircase, this one was not as high but it was just as tiring!
At this point we had to make a decision. We came to junction and had a choice. We could take the normal WHW trail into Fort William that was 6.5 miles and would take about 3.5 hours. Or we could take the road in which was 4.5 miles and 2.5 hours. Since we had to head back to Kinlochleven for our second night there and meet back up with Mom, we had to get into Fort William before 5:15 to catch to last bus back to Kinclochleven. We opted for the road and walked the 4 miles in on pavement which was not great on the feet. We made into FW with plenty of time. We watched the final match of Wimbledon in pub near the bus station to kill time. We probably could have taken the normal way in but needed to be better safe than sorry.
Since we were worried about catching the bus on time we didn't get a chance to see the end of the way until the next day. Even more annoying is that we didn't know the new end of the way is now at the far end of Fort William's main street. We walked right by it when we hiked in the day before but since we were looking for bus info we didn't even notice! So no true pictures of the last day but it is still a great accomplishment. We saw some awesome stuff and are glad to move on to seeing some new stuff for the rest of the time we are here!
We woke up to a real summer morning on the 3rd and had an early breakfast and was out on the trail by 8:30 am. Which was the earliest we had ever started during the past 10 days. All for good reason, as we had 16 miles that had to be done all at once. Just like the day before, our first task of the day was to climb up another ridge similar to Devils Staircase, this one was not as high but it was just as tiring!
 |
| Looking back down on Kinlochleven |
If you look at the center of the picture above and you see a mountain sticking out just behind the large one that extends up from the city, that was the area we eneded up coming down from when we came from Kings House the day before. It was a pretty steep walk down!
 |
| Dad and Kari resting on the way up the ridge |
 |
| Looking up the loch from the top of the ridge |
 |
| Starting to climb up into to the gap between the mountains, not as bad as the others |
 |
| Well into the gap now, looking back at where we had already walked |
 |
| Ben Nevis, the largest mountain in Great Britain, we are about 4 miles away from Fort William |
 |
| Fort William at last!! |
 |
| The original end of the West Highland Way, we made it! |
Post 3 of 4: Kings House to Kinlochleven-July 2nd
The morning of July 2nd had us leaving Kings House and having to immediately climb the Devils Staircase on the way out of that valley. Mom decided to opt out of today because the steep ups and downs kill her knees and can make a short trip really long. She took a bus to Glencoe and then another to Kinlochleven which was the end point for the day. This day was another one for beauty. Being officially in the highlands for the past 3 days each day seems to produce some new amazing view.
 |
| Kings House Hotel at the base of the mountains |
 |
| Chad with Buachaille Etive Mor in the background |
 |
| Dad and Kari in the same spot |
 |
| First rest of the staircase with Buachaille Etive in the background, you could hike up that if you wanted to, we opted out! |
 |
| Made it to the top of the staircase |
 |
| Chad selecting the lunch stop of the day |
 |
| View of Blackwater Reservoir from our lunch stop |
 |
| The trail heading down into Kinlochleven |
Post 2 of 4: Inveroran to Kings House-July 1st
We headed out of Inveroran the next morning and the weather was cooperating. No rain today. Not a lot of sun early on but we did end with some. The mileage for the day was 10 miles but according to Dad's trusty West Highland Way book there was nothing to crazy along the way. Each day the scenery seemed to get better and this set of 10 miles had to have been probably one of the most spectacular. Compared to the other days I think this one won!
 |
| Dad and Chad on one of the bridges outside Inveroran and Mom way up ahead |
 |
| Moving along an old cobbled military road |
 |
| Kari sitting on a bridge at our lunch stop...it was a midge free area |
 |
| Chad on the same bridge when the sun came out |
 |
| Trekking up the large hill of the day |
 |
| Kari and Chad took an extra hike to the very top of the ridge |
 |
| Last rest at a bridge before going down into Kings House |
 |
| Dad showing Chad what distance we had left to go |
 |
| One of the best mountains in the area called Buachaille Etive Mor, don't have a clue what it says! |
 |
| Walking the last leg to our hotel there in the distance |
Post 1 of 4: Tyndrum to Inveroran-June 30th
On June 30th we left a really nice Bed and Breakfast for Inveroran, which was a 9 mile day. A few miles longer than we had been going the days before. There is not much accommodation but we were lucky to get into the Inveroran Hotel. This day and the days to follow had the best scenery of the entire way. You can see from the pictures although its not the same as being there in person!
 |
| Kari walking through a stone underpass, it was raining again |
 |
| Just one of the very large mountains that we would be seeing |
 |
| Chad on the Bridge of Orchy, our lunch stop before the climb up a ridge |
 |
| View at the top, we had walked through that valley earlier in the day |
 |
| Still at the top of the ridge an the general direction for the walk on the following day |
 |
| More mountains and rain off in the distance |
Friday, July 1, 2011
We are in Kings House
So on the morning of June 30th we left Tyndrum for Inveroran and made great time. We were mostly walking on an old cobbled military road so the pace can be quick. We made it to the Inveroran Hotel by 3 pm. We left there this morning and walked 11 more miles to the Kings House Hotel. This is the only accommodation in this area and were lucky to have booked two rooms a week ago. Otherwise we would have had to have been bused 15 minutes away to another place.
It is hard to describe what we have seen over the past few days because the views have been so awesome! Huge valleys and mountains that seem to appear from no where. Dad's WHW book said the scenery would dramatically change and it certainly did.
I have lots of pictures but due to some very slow internet here its been impossible to upload any pictures. I am going to have to wait until we can get a more reliable connection. I am hoping that will be tomorrow. In the mean time I am going to leave you with some thoughts.
Wisdom of the West Highland Way Travelers
There never seem to be enough hooks in the bathrooms
Beds in Scotland are terrible, if I could have packed my bed I would have.
Apricots on an empty stomach, when in the middle of a hill climb, are a bad idea
Haggis is good
Blood Pudding is tolerable when mixed with eggs, bacon and beans
Beans for breakfast is growing on me
Strongbow Hard Cider Extra Cold, after trail drink of choice
Don't stop moving or the midges will get you
Watch out for black slugs and dead frogs on the trail
Crossing creeks in a rain storm can be dangerous to your health
Drying rooms smell like dirty feet, dry your items at your own risk
Hostel bunk beds suck!
Dad thinks he met a ghost at the Drovers Inn
Continental breakfasts don't keep you going...Bring on the full Scottish Breakfast everyday!
Mind the barbwire, its can jump out and bite you
Pavement walking will kill your feet...fast!
When sharing a room, don't let Dad have too much ice cream
It is hard to describe what we have seen over the past few days because the views have been so awesome! Huge valleys and mountains that seem to appear from no where. Dad's WHW book said the scenery would dramatically change and it certainly did.
I have lots of pictures but due to some very slow internet here its been impossible to upload any pictures. I am going to have to wait until we can get a more reliable connection. I am hoping that will be tomorrow. In the mean time I am going to leave you with some thoughts.
Wisdom of the West Highland Way Travelers
There never seem to be enough hooks in the bathrooms
Beds in Scotland are terrible, if I could have packed my bed I would have.
Apricots on an empty stomach, when in the middle of a hill climb, are a bad idea
Haggis is good
Blood Pudding is tolerable when mixed with eggs, bacon and beans
Beans for breakfast is growing on me
Strongbow Hard Cider Extra Cold, after trail drink of choice
Don't stop moving or the midges will get you
Watch out for black slugs and dead frogs on the trail
Crossing creeks in a rain storm can be dangerous to your health
Drying rooms smell like dirty feet, dry your items at your own risk
Hostel bunk beds suck!
Dad thinks he met a ghost at the Drovers Inn
Continental breakfasts don't keep you going...Bring on the full Scottish Breakfast everyday!
Mind the barbwire, its can jump out and bite you
Pavement walking will kill your feet...fast!
When sharing a room, don't let Dad have too much ice cream
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)