By morning the wind seemed to have abated, except for a few squalls and the rain had stopped. Today I'm due back at the car but I delayed my start till 10:30am to take full advantage of the view and improving weather. Yesterday I'd noticed a faint track near where I'd camped. I followed it down for a while but it seemed to be just a deer track and not going anywhere in particular. A couple of deer were nearby and seemed to take little notice of me.

early morning view of Corpach

Deer taking no notice

Further down the track it got bigger and seemed to be the main access to this part of the mountain. Below a couple were coming up and when we met we stopped for a brief chat. They were from the south of England and in Scotland for a two week holiday in place of the one they normally go to in the Alps. I continued my descent and met a lone walker coming up. Again I stopped to chat and after asking about my picture taking I mentioned my website. He had his phone with him and accessed it straightaway.

I think he said his name was Eddie and he'd email me how his walk went. Further down I met the main path up to the CIC hut so I turned left to join it. Climbing steadily upwards was much better than descending in full pack. I didn't go as far as the hut but cut across to climb to the path towards Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe. I used my binoculars to scour the glen for any sign of my lost blue mug, but there was none.

down in the valley

RAF

A RAF red helicopter flew up the valley and after making a couple of circuits left and flew off over the Lochan. I continued up and joined the main path for Ben Nevis. It was packed with people going up and down. The wind was still a bit gusty but the sun was now getting very warm and approaching 20decC.

Near the bottom of the path I stopped to talk to a man who was building a stone structure which he said would be a point to show a marker of the Friends of Ben Nevis and there would be facilities to make a donation towards the upkeep of the path. I got back to my car at Achintee House at 3pm. After changing I went to the house to get my spare car key. Scot wasn't there so I got the key off Heather. I left, topped up with diesel in Fort William and set of driving towards Connel Bridge. I stopped to photograph Castle Stalker Appin on the way. Over Connel Bridge I left the car at the viewing car park and walked over the bridge to take a few pictures.

building the stone marker

evening view from the car

I drove back over the bridge and along the Loch side to find somewhere for the night. Opposite Ardachy Farm was a short track to the water’s edge do I drove along it to find a nice grassy patch to park for the night.

NM 9539 3527.