Читать книгу Not the West Highland Way. Diversions over mountains, smaller hills or high passes for 8 of the WH Way's 9 stages онлайн

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Winter is a time of short days and often foul weather. Snow lies on the high tops from December to April, with patches in the corries obstructing some routes even into May. Few will attempt the routes in this book during the cold months. Those who do could just enjoy crisp cramponing along the ridges, views of hundreds of mountains, and buttercup-coloured sunsets; such a journey is described later in this Introduction.

Safety in the mountains

In the glens of Part Three you can be a day’s walk from the nearest road or habitation, and without a mobile phone signal. In the mountains, especially north of Rannoch Moor, the ground you need to get off by may be steep with crags. Safety and navigation in the mountains is best learnt from companions, experience, and perhaps a paid instructor; such instruction is outside the scope of this book.

Most of the routes and outings in Part One are no more than moderately serious, and a walker used to day walks in the Lake District or Snowdonia should feel at home on them. The main difference is that in various places, Part One takes you off the trodden paths. This can be disconcerting or worse if you are unhappy with your navigation.