Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019

Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019
On the Archduke's Path in Mallorca

Tuesday 14 May 2019

TGO Challenge 2019 - Day 5

 
 
 
 
Date: Tuesday 14 May 2019

Route: Coire Fhiuran to Bridge of Gaur Guesthouse

Distance: 21 km (Cum: 100)

Ascent: 750 metres (Cum: 4350)

Time taken: 8.3 hrs including 2.5 hrs breaks

Weather: sunny and warm, slightly hazier than previous days

Clear overnight but not cold or windy. Our lovely spot could be desolate in bad weather. But not today.

The sun had dispersed any condensation long before I put a brew on at 6.45. A leisurely breakfast and packing saw us leave this vast expanse that we were sharing with a large herd of deer, at 8 am.

We spent the morning wandering along a broad ridge that traversed the summits of Meall na Fèithe Faide (826 m), Meall Buidhe (907 m), skirting Gleann Daimh to Creag Riabhach (779 m), Meall Cruinn (830 m), and Meall nan Aighean (790 m), which we reached at 1 pm.

During the morning herds of deer had punctuated the horizon; mewing birds were the only sound apart from the grunts of the deer and the chirp of the wheatears.

There were no proper paths. Just deer trods and a mysterious and very rough Land Rover track that led puzzlingly from nowhere to nowhere. Perhaps used for stalking, but would they airlift the Land Rover in? Good heathery going was interspersed with peat hags and well constructed cairns.

From our lunch spot we descended to (with difficulty locating it) pick up a narrow path that led to a track and a couple of ladder stiles over deer fences. From there the easy route down to Bridge of Gaur was punctuated only by a call to 'Control' and a long chat with JD.

The hospitality from Eddie and Heather at the Bridge of Gaur Guesthouse was excellent as always. Sabine arrived as we were enjoying 'beer o'clock' in the garden. So we are three Challengers here tonight. The weather and the company are wonderful. Beer, wine, and a fine meal have all 'flowed'.

Today's pictures:
Early morning at camp
One of many summits
Bridge of Gaur (2)

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1 comment:

Sir Hugh said...

Still following you. That Scottish ambience of remoteness and pathless terrain shines through.