Highland Fling

would that be the path of righteouness t rex?

and those that stick to it are fewer?

i hope ali bj is back in time for this...or matbe he missed the volcano cuffuffle altogether..are you there i mean here ali?

A controversial point.  For people who are lost is it that they have strayed off the path, or have they never found the path in the first place?

But I'm sure you'll be doing none of that on Saturday!  btw a place to watch is Craigie Fort about mile 20.  When you reach the top it's not signposted but you take the path at 9 o'clock and go down the zig-zag.  I walked the WHW in 2006, missed this path, and spent ages wandering around the woods at this point.

Can't think of any other navigational problems, can you, CD?

I'd have a WHW map with you to be on the safe side.  There's Harvey's which is too detailed and lacks clarity. I prefer the Footprint map.  Very clear, although the mile markers marked on it are a bit inaccurate!  I've remarked them in the right place and written on the map split times from 2008 and 2009, and my hoped-for ones for this year.

Yes, where's AliBJ?

please stop tempting fate t rex..its the most obvious route ive have run..two attempts and not a foot in the wrong direction (cant say that for all my runs)..so please enough!

mind you..can you remember the only two chumps with maps in their hands at the start two years ago? clowns!

Hi T Rex - will make a mental note of that one. I've gotg the footprint map which I'll be taking with me on the day. Will put a little x on the map for that one tonight.

Looks like most of my friends will be making it up to scotland now - flights getting there and even my stranded pal in the states should just about make the train. She will be arriving at King's Cross with all her holiday clothes for the carribean though so if you see someone watching shorts and flip flops that'll be her!

T Rex - I'm hoping to run the HF on Saturday. First time and I haven't got a map because quite a number of folk say there really is no need. However I would appreciate a bit more info about Craigie Fort. I'm looking at the map and CF is just after Balmaha where the WHW crosses the main road then heads towards a viewpoint. Is it at that point you take the path at 9 o clock?

What is your target time this year? Hope you reach it!

Cheers

Sorry also meant to ask about the section just past Ptarmigan Lodge (beyond Rowardennan) when the WHW seems to split into 2 and becomes one path again at Rowchoish. At PL you can either follow what appears to a forestry track or the path which hugs the shoreline - which one do we run?

Thanks

Richard36 follow the foresty track not the shoreline.

Navigation is never an issue on the West highland way, even less so this year wit 340 plus runners you will just be doing a 53 mile Conga.

Enjoy all

Thanks Fellrunner

I nearly mentioned the fact that there are almost as many runners for the HF as the VLM - or so it seems - and therefore navigation shouldn't be a problem

I think a conga is a great idea and will liven things up and give us newbies all the help we need!

Hi Richard36.  I'm probably making a meal about nothing at Craigie Fort, but a pal and I did waste a lot of time here in 2006.  You go straight up, there is only a small summit with I think a bench on it, and head down on the path on your left at 9 o'clock.

At Ptarmigan Lodge the WHW used to follow the loch edge but this is now closed (at least for HF purposes!) due to landslips and the route is now signposted at a higher level on a much more dull forestry track.  The old route is still passable with care but I wouldn't advise it on Saturday.

I shall still take my Footprint map, but carry it more discreetly.  I like to know what's coming up and can't remember every foot of the way yet.  In all likelihood this year there will always be someone in view ahead.

I'm looking for about 10:30 which will be a seriously quicker time than my other two Flings.  But at least this year I haven't got the mental burden and the general restraining factor of having to do another 43 miles straight after the finish.

Well, our numbers are up now.

Along with T-shirt sizes.  And I see you're going back on the 2200 bus, CD.

T Rex wrote (see)

Well, our numbers are up now.

Along with T-shirt sizes.  And I see you're going back on the 2200 bus, CD.

plenty time to enjoy some fish n chips t rex

besides..whats the rush?

No, I mean you're not staying until the wee small hours!  I should be in residence in the Real Food Cafe washed, clothed, and in my right mind about 7.30 - 8.0 p.m. onwards. Look forward to meeting up.  I remember eating there slowly but continuously for several hours in 2008.

Thanks, Richard.  You too.

And you, Birdypie. (Have a great run.)

And where's AliBJ?

i'll be there (real food cafe) hopefully in time for last orders! im coasting it tomorrow (as always)

i would have loved to stay out but logistics and the 'mutt' must take priority

having a shit time at work meant imbibing too much last night

Home at last - got back at 8pm last night after driving through france and the UK for four days with three kids - great fun.  It was all not that bad except for calais - no-one has manners anymore (apart from me of course).

So, today I am feeling flipping knackerd, very underprepared, and have not sorted anything out for the Fling (including travel back to Milngavie) and I expect the sensible option is not to start otherwise I will probably make myself ill or injured.

That said, I am very, very tempted to give it a go still but at the moment think the chances are about 10% that I will be at the start line tomorrow.  If not, I'll probably go up to Tyndrum to spectate and feel guilty.

sounds like a trying ordeal alibj

if it was me id give it a miss

that said, say hi if you see us..

setting off now..ta-ra.