6 Days and 95 miles on the West Highland Way in Scotland
Life moves at a different pace on the West Highland Way (hereafter referred to as the "Way"). The day's requirements - eat, hike and sleep - are easy to understand and grasp. Progress is measured by time and distance, and success is a simple concept, judged by reaching your destination with enough time left in the day to eat and sleep. The path throughout the day is decided and marked, the Way guiding you through civilization and the wilderness, free of the constant choices afforded in society. The ever-changing yet continually superlative scenery along the Way brings wonder to your mind and soul. Overlapping and crossing paths with other hikers multiple times over the days brings a camaraderie, a bond formed by experiencing, enjoying and accomplishing the same things each day. Individually, the body adapts to the demands, the mind acquires a focus on the surroundings by letting go of worldly thoughts, and the soul soaks in the nourishment of the complete environment. Each day, put one foot in front of the other, and with each step you are closer to your destination.
And therein lies the rub.
Each night, with the satisfaction of the accomplishments of each day's hike, you begin to realize you are one day closer to the finish. The first couple of days, your concerns are whether or not you will be able to complete the hike, worrying about the long daily mileage, fearing the daily climbs into the mountains, battling the soreness, blisters, stiffness, lingering pain and nightly tiredness. But by the last couple of days, having conquered the daily tribulations by either mind and/or body, you realize you will miss it.
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Background: The West Highland Way stretches 95 miles north from Glasgow to Fort William, Scotland. The "Way" is hiked by approximately 50,000 hikers a year, and provides a combination of varied scenery through wilderness and civilization that provides a fantastic mix of experiences for any hiker. For those looking to enjoy a bed and a pint after a stiff day's hike, it is a great experience. For more details on the web, consult http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk.
Personal background: Kevin originally came up with the idea of the hike through a pub conversation, and we originally discussed the details and timing during one of my trips to London. Fran (joining us from Spain) and Bryan (who came from the USA) rounded out the group. Special thanks goes to Arancha for letting her husband Kevin hike off into the wilderness while chilling at home in Spain 7 months pregnant...
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Instead of a 10, 30, 50 picture slideshow of the superlative scenery (ed. note: it was amazing the number of times we all said "this is the best view of the hike", only to be followed shortly thereafter by an equal or better view), which is of course captured better by the mind and the eye rather than the camera, the following gallery will provide a peek into life on the Way, a taste of the things I will miss from the journey...
Scotland - 2007 | On the Way into Kings House | Taylor Davidson | Print size: available up to 16" by 24", prices as quoted.