The West Highland Way, May 2011

Day Six: Kingshouse to Kinlochleven - 9 miles

Devil's Staircase, no problem to us.

Only nine miles, and one devil's staircase.  This rises to 1850 feet above sea level, the highest point of the Way.  However we started about 1000 feet, to tomorrow's climb is probably a bigger ascent (from sea level).  For fact fans this trail was built by Major Caulfield around 1750 as a military route.  

And the bus worked out just fine, despite getting on and off all over the place!.

Some of the devil's, the night before

Waiting for the bus at Tyndrum.

One of us had to get off to pick up Stewart's sticks that we saw yesterday.  Guess who!  The rest are still on the bus as I waved it goodbye.

A deer this morning, Glen Coe (not raining!)

Looking back to Kingshouse and yesterday's path down from the Black Mount

Buachaille Etive Mor on the right, impressive as ever.  On the left you can see Sron na Creise, and between them lies Glen Etive.

Buachaille Etive Mor on the left and Buachaille Etive Beag in the middle.  Glen Coe was looking magnificent.

Some people had done this a lot (21 times!).

Down Glencoe, much closer to Buachaille Etive Beag now.

Looking back from the start of the ascent up the Devil's Staircase.

Back up Glen Coe, from part way up the Staircase.

Back South from the top. Kingshouse down on the left behind the hills.  And in the distance, to the left of Buachaille Etive More and Sron na Creise/Meall a'Bhuiridh you can just see Beinn Achaladair which we passed yesterday, though it was in the clouds.

Looking North from the top of the staircase.  The Mamore's, resplendent as ever, on the left.  Loch Treig hills in the middle I think.  

And to the right the Blackwater Reservoir.

Heading down

River Leven

Final stretch into town

Macdonald Hotel in Kinlochleven.  The rooms have a bath!

Looking down Loch Leven from outside the pub

And inside the pub, thank goodness that is all over.

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