Last weekend Mathew Hack who would run Leg 2 accompanied Chris up Ben Nevis at the start of Leg 1, carrying extra fluids and still managing to get a couple of photos.
Chris on the summit (photo M Hack)
Chris descending from the Ben (photo M Hack)
Being able to revisit the weekend of the 19th provides an excuse to have a look at some of the nearby hills and by travelling north very early on the Saturday morning meant I found myself in Glencoe enjoying the morning sunshine without having to climb any of the surrounding mountains.
Looking west at two of the Three Sisters in Glencoe
Same two Sisters with Bidean nam Bian behind
Beyond Glencoe I sat on the beach on Loch Leven looking at the Pap of Glencoe (Sgorr na Ciche) remembering our visit to the summit a year or two again in pouring rain that stayed with us almost to the other end of the Aonach Eagach. Today would have been just about perfect for the traverse.
The Pap of Glencoe above Loch Leven
As Chris set off across Glen Nevis I took a gentle stroll up the glen and a little way up Ben Nevis to have a look at, both the Glen and the Munros Pauline and I had visited in damp cloudy conditions a few weeks earlier on 30 May 2010.
Glen Nevis with Sgurr a Mhaim, Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean on the skyline
Heather Bells on the side of Ben Nevis
Stob Coire Sgiodain above Loch Treig at the start of Leg 2
Geoff and Mike who would have run the third and final leg came out to see Chris on his way into Leg 2 and like the rest of us were very surprised at the exceptionally low water level in the loch - the water level should be almost as high as the greenery on the far bank.