“Marry an outdoors woman. Then if you throw her out into the yard on a cold night, she can still survive.” -W. C. Fields
May 16, 2014
Red Bothy to Glenmore
Cairngorm Mountains
This day was all about food…
Good food…
AND we are halfway across Scotland!
The walk into Aviemore was windy and cold. At the top of the fIrst saddle, we met Heather from England. She is hiking the TGO solo and was in a big hurry because her iPhone battery was dead. It was great talking to a woman hiking on the challenge.
Just as we were coming into Aviemore we met Andy and Katie. They had the best tips on where to eat and stay. We listened and were so glad. Breakfast was at The Mountain Cafe that consisted of pork and beans, sausage, black pudding, hash browns, bacon, fried egg, mushroom, and fried tomato all stacked on a plate. I have never had anything quite like it! We then had a delicious steak dinner at The Glenmore Lodge.
Aviemore is the ideal sports mountain town. You name it you can either do it or learn how to, from sailing to dog sledding.
Tomorrow the weather is supposed to clear and windy and we will be attempting to climb Ben Macdui, a challenging and scenic monro we are really looking forward to.
We are showered, happy, and well-fed.
Follow our progress across by clicking on “Track Scotland” in the top menu.
That food! Loved the WC Fields quote too.
It was an inspiring meal! We are going to attempt to replicate it at home. I think we need luck.
Andy Howell, Robin Evans and that young man we walked with Philip last year – who sadly dropped his camera in the river. Well done to all on getting that far.
One of the best things about the challenge is meeting new friends along the way. It is such a special event.
Congrats on the half-way mark! This is such a great adventure. My husband and I had planned to visit friends in Scotland this year and hike Hadrian’s wall on the England/Scotland border. But continuing health issues stymied our plans. Things should be better next year, so hopefully we will go next summer. And…love the quote!
Marry an outdoors woman. Then if you throw her out into the yard on a cold night, she can still survive. -Now you tell me!
Glad you got to enjoy the joys of the outdoors and have some fine meals. The breakfast is a bit familiar since I’ve been married to an Englishwoman for nearly 25 years. I of course know you aren’t in England, but that meal does look familiar!
It is an amazing plethora of flavor and calories.
No wonder the Scot’s and Welsh are so tough. That overcast is persistent. ‘Have family in Aberdeen but do not know them well….
I see snow fields in the mountains behind you and your husband. Will you be traversing through them and if so will they be anything like your 2011 PCT trek?
All the snow was soft and pretty easy to navigate through. The mountains in the photos are the Cairngorms that we did pass through.
Are these towns that you are stopping at aware of the TGO? used to hikers?
Can’t believe you are already at the 50% mark! That was FAST!!!
Just like the PCT, the small towns have special discounts and are welcoming to TGO Challengers as they stay and pass through.
By gosh, that looks like Andy Howell! How the snow outside of Aviemore?
Yes it is. The snow was soft, fun, and easy to walk through.