The last post (almost)
“After gazing at the sky for some time, I came to the conclusion that such beauty had been reserved for remote and dangerous places, and that nature has good reasons for demanding special sacrifices from those who dare to contemplate it.”
Richard E. Byrd, Alone, (1938)
One of the things that attracted me to the Cape Wrath Trail was the reaction it inspired in others, particularly when I mentioned I was doing it in midwinter. Their incredulous responses instilled in me the belief that this was an undertaking quite out of the ordinary.
Some scoff that the Cape Wrath Trail has become “too popular” as if popularity was itself a bad thing. Others believe that to stick to a route that misses the majestic heights of the mountains it passes is sacrilegious. But I take great heart in this trail as a walk that draws people out of their everyday lives and into the wild and remote places. There is something in the challenge of traversing this huge tract of land that uniquely captures the imagination.
And part of why I chose to take it on in winter was to show that with a good degree of care and preparation, this is a route that need not be tackled in the fairer months alone. Summer, after all, holds no guarantee of fine weather in this part of the world.
When I started to write this blog two years ago, I intended to use it as a place to jot down a few thoughts as a place to bring together information about a route that I hope will never become “official”. Its beauty is its freedom. There are many possible variations, and the route I took was only one of many. You’ll find no way marks or posts painted with yellow acorns around here. This one’s down to you.
One of the true joys of the trail was the re-discovery of long forgotten parts of Scotland and the resolve it has given me to visit these far removed corners of our stunning island more frequently. I hope if you take on the route, you will find it is just the beginning of an exploration of new areas. And if you see a figure with a big red rucksack emerging from the mizzle with an ear to ear grin, it might just be me. See you out there. Iain
Photos from Cape Wrath trips and other mountain jaunts can be found on Flickr.
If you’re interested in what I’ve been up to since the Cape Wrath Trail you can find out at www.asheepasleep.tumblr.com
