Scrambling on Lochnagar

Rob Howard / 22.08.2012

Through Wednesday teams have made their way, by the full or short routes, to the longest trekking stage of the race. 

This stage, across the Grampian mountains was longer for those who had opted to send their bike boxes out to House of Mark on the full route , and to get there they had a longer ride too, finishing with the crossing of Mount Keen.  This is one of the Munros on the route – mountains over 3000 feet - and is the only Munro which can be ridden ... though by this stage of the race it’s doubtful any teams had the energy to ride all the way.

Part way into the trekking stage those coming from House of Mark arrived at Spittal of Glenmuick, which is where those who’d opted for the short option had ridden to. Their ride from Mar Lodge was along minor roads most of the way, with a climb up into Glenmuick at the end.  But the climb they made on their bikes was climb they didn’t have to make on foot as they set off up another Munro – Lochnagar.

After a steady ascent the teams arrived above the north facing Corrie of Lochnagar, where steep cliffs fall to a small enclosed lake.  It’s an imposing view and all the more so as they knew they would have to climb up through those cliffs.  After descending to the lake teams had to put on their climbing helmets for a scrambling stage up through the main gully where race staff were on hand to guide them and a few short guide ropes had been put in place.  They set off up the main gully only to divert into a narrower one where the walls towered high above them.

Emerging at the top they were near the summit cairn where a checkpoint was placed on the trig point and those not in too much of rush could stop and enjoy a 360 degree view of the Grampians.  They also had a clear view of their route ahead.  Luckily the weather today was mainly fine, with high cloud, clear summits and only a few short showers – as good a day as could be hoped for, though the wind was strong and blowin into the racers faces for much of the way.

You can see a video of the panorama from the summit of Lochnagar here.

Throughout the day more and more teams set off over the hills, only now the first to go were the short course teams, with the full course teams following later.  Team adidas TERREX were still leading and For Goodness Shakes Nectar have moved back into second place overall after their earlier bike problems. 

All of the teams will be out on the trek overnight, with a midway stop at the Glenshee Ski Station, where they cross the only road on the trek.

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