[Closed] Torridon -trail conditions

Interested in this too...

I think postierich is up there at the moment. Maybe bump this thread at the weekend?

Bump.....anyone...

[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/torridon-loop-with-bike-packing-kit ]Some pics on this thread[/url]

Just back from doing the achnashealach descent! It was fairly wet but not unrideable. Started at coulags and out past the bothy. It was snowing heavily at the top of the hike but once on the descent the weather improved.. brilliant!! 😀

Andy McKenna has been doing some trail maintenance up there too.

Hey peeps, we're due to be doing this route

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=odncjffmprshlbhl

In a couple of weeks. I'm hoping that the conditions are getting better. Any news of wash outs or the like?

Cheers.

I was up there yesterday and rode the Coulags-Coire Lair-Achnashellach loop. Was pretty dry and trails were all in good nick. I heard they were doing some trail repairs to the Annat descent this weekend.
Here's a few pics from yesterday.

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Ace photos!
I go in 2 weeks can't wait. Reckon it could be a long couple of weeks at work!

Good news. Cheers for the photos. 3 weeks for me. Don't ruin the trails stupor!

Any pointers for accommodation, please? 5 bodies but nowt available in Torridon...thinking tents now but unsure where.

.thinking tents now but unsure where.

There's an unofficial campsite next to the youth hostel. Toilet block with shower available for use. Apart from that it's a fairly soggy field

It's early in the year but be warned, the midges could be the worst you'll ever experience in your life.

Kinlochewe bunkhouse is fine if you just need to lay your head down for the night, good food and beer next door too.

[quote=DickBarton ]Any pointers for accommodation, please? 5 bodies but nowt available in Torridon...thinking tents now but unsure where.

We stayed here [url= http://www.torridonestate.com/index.htm ]http://www.torridonestate.com/index.htm[/url] website is a bit thin on ground for info presently.

Be very particular about how you leave any cottage if you do stay there as they wanted it immaculate ready for next guest so they dont have to clean it. Withheld my deposit as they claimed that we hadn't done various things and blocked a toilet. After many emails and lack of proof by them I was refunded, I am now banned from staying or booking any of their cottages 🙄

Just be aware

Gerrys hostel. Achnashellach side of the hills.Strathcarron hotel.
not a million miles away either.

[quote=chrissyharding ]Gerrys hostel. Achnashellach side of the hills.Tis a shame that Gerry himself is no longer with us. I'll leave this blog extract (not mine) in memoriam

The owner Gerry is the rudest man I have ever meet, it is said when he was drinking he would mellow out in the evening but now he has stopped the drink he stays his abusive, arrogant, self. I would say stay there are your peril, if you like to have abuse thrown at you for no good reason then go for it, TGO challengers you talk to who have stay there once never want to stay again would rather walk that bit further and camp I can see why now

scotroutes - Member
Tis a shame that Gerry himself is no longer with us.

Blimey, didn't know that. Without a doubt one of the more colourful characters we've stayed with 😆

Ha ha, I picked him up a few times. He hitched from the Lochcarron golf course quite a bit.
He was always okay with me.
I was driving him home however.
His hostel is still there though.

Used to be a wee campsite in Lochcarron, couple of pubs and a restaurant too I think. We had good food at the smaller pub, can't remember what it was called. You could also stay at Applecross but that's not so handy for Torridon but you could do the Kenmore loop which is very good and passes the walled garden cafe.

Thanks for the pointers folks.

Tis a shame that Gerry himself is no longer with us

I had a few 'interactions' with Gerry. Woe betide anyone who put coal on his fire. Maybe in his head he was just having a quiet word but it came across as barely contained homicidal rage!

you could do the Kenmore loop

I think the out and back Applecross-Kenmore is one of the biggest bang for your buck rides in the country. Short and sweet.

All change now Torridon is pretty much submerged.

Submerged?

As in underwater.

All of it?

The top of Liathach was poking out but that was about it.

Heading up there on Friday, should I pack a snorkel 😡

Definitely take a map
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Im up there next week with Ben Jones so hopefully wont need a map 😉

Aye, I gave Gerry a lift on at least one occasion. Def a character.
Had a couple of mates that used to stay there quite a lot, it was certainly different !!

Any more update on the trail conditions?

Ground was absolutely waterlogged on Monday with huge amounts of rain falling over Sunday night. Burns were huge too.

We used to ensure we took extra malt to keep Gerry onside. I mentioned to my Dad that he had died and he told me a few stories about him back in "the day" He was once in lurve and the hostel was a joint effort for a few years.

Which routes were you riding that were waterlogged?

I stayed at Gerry's once...

I wasn't riding, I ran up Coire Lair on Sunday and then did nowt on Monday because it was so grim. Massive amounts of water coming off the hill.

I know I keep asking, but any updates on the trail conditions please?

90% of it is bed rock at worst it will be wet.

I've ridden it wet and it was fine.

Don't mind wet but suspect others will have issues if the trails are like rivers...ta.

Just setting off in a bit, let you know later today!

Ta

Very interested to hear how your ride went stupot. I'm hoping the good weather today and predicted good weather coming dry the trails out.

Did stupot return or is he still out there getting a trail report? 😉

He's just not resurfaced yet 😉

27c over that way today - that's got to be making a difference.

Sorry for the delay, lost connectivity on the phone.
Trail conditions were brilliant, dry rocky fun, bit boggy by the Tarns but not bad.
Absolutely gutted to be back at work!!

Cheers.

stupot - by Tarns, I presume you mean lochans? Anyway, the whole of the North West Highlands are in superb condition for riding at the moment. I've just got home from doing the Meall Horn circuit, took my bike out of the car to wash it - and opted to gently dust it instead.