2016 Highland Trail route.

[touch]

Yep, the section of Torridon which has been cut out was the big scramble over the top and the descent which was mostly washed away. It still includes the nice technical descent which was the best part anyway.

[GregMay]

Yep, the section of Torridon which has been cut out was the big scramble over the top and the descent which was mostly washed away. It still includes the nice technical descent which was the best part anyway.

Isn't it just:

Torridon Descent by Greg.May, on Flickr

[Alpinum]

Wrong Glen Greg
It's to the east now and drops straight into Achnashellach instead of Coulags or what it was in '13.

[Ian]

One of my favourite bits from 2013 was the ascent up the big stone slabs and a beautiful bit of singletrack that ran close to a little lochan. But that not in this year.

*sniff*

[GregMay]

Wrong Glen Greg
It's to the east now and drops straight into Achnashellach instead of Coulags or what it was in '13.

Damn it...

[Alpinum]

I caught a snake bite hammering my way down to Coulags. Perhaps it's for the better this year. Threw me out of the rythm and from where I flatted I struggled a bit to continue riding down the valley so some of it turned into a HAB.

[fatbikephil]

One of my favourite bits from 2013 was the ascent up the big stone slabs and a beautiful bit of singletrack that ran close to a little lochan. But that not in this year.

*sniff*

That bit was hellish last year - the climb was so eroded very litle was rideable comapred to when I did it in 2013 (I admit I was totally wasted by this point on HT15 so less than objective!) and the section by the lochan was a total bog. After that it got really hard

I for one am very glad Corrie Lair is out - the new route is very pleasant and features a further bothy. I think the bit alongside Loch Maree will break a few spirits however...

[ScotRoutes]

http://www.asgcommercial.co.uk/Badenoch ... _Rest/573/

Yep - Laggan Stores is up for sale. The Canadian family that have been running it don't have a UK Visa and all protestations from the local community to HM Govt. have fallen on deaf ears.

[padonbike]

Yep it sucks about Laggan store, although slightly off Ht route. Hate preachers stay for ages and a decent family wanting to put something in to the local community get booted out.

[Mike]

If I had the money that store would be great to buy. What a great base in Scotland :0)

[Taylor]

If I had the money that store would be great to buy. What a great base in Scotland :0)

You might have to do some work though.

[Mike]

Er no id hire someone to do that pal id be to busy riding n doing fun stuff

[Alpinum]

A month... one... to go.

Here in most likely all insects have been killed by the freezing temps lately.

Are we looking into a low midge year and hopefully low tick year too?

No head net, skin so soft nor smidge in '13. Could be the same game this year.

[Gari]

^^^ I am guessing not unfortunately, it's not been that cold a winter I am afraid

[fatbikephil]

Late frosts good for destroying the midge population so yous maybe OK - bring the smidge anyways. I'm now out as my back issues have persisted and I've realised I need to focus on sorting that rather than training for the HT plus if I twang my back in the middle of Assynt or Fisherfield I'm screwed.... Probably means the weather will be good however!

[padonbike]

Question: is the famed Lochinver pie shop actually on the HT route, or do you come off slightly? Reason I ask is that I never saw the place when I did my march reccie.

[AlasdairMc]

It's on the route, on the main street through Lochinver quite near the shop (Costcutter maybe) and before the panini van

[padonbike]

Well, Alastair, I went into a butchers that had a few scotch pies on the main street next to the little supermarket, but it seemed more like a butchers to me.
Obviously need to get this sussed!

[boxelder]

http://www.lochinverlarder.co.uk/

They do mail order if serious about preparation?

[ScotRoutes]

It's on the right hand (shore) side of the road as you pass through heading south.

[rando nomad]

Has anyone tried the heat way menu items from the shop? Sounds like a gourmet meal for a bothy :)

[Blair512]

New life plan....get fit, race htr17, sample that pie menu in the passing!

[boxelder]

Good life plan - they do entree pies, main course pies and pudding pies.

[Blair512]

I'm sure you could stack them into stem cells to save them for later!

[padonbike]

Thanks guys - here's the proof I really was on what I think was the high street of Lochinver!