Mark Bothy, Loch Long
December 4th & 5th 2021
Wind forecast for Sat – NW F4 with strong gusts & overcast, Sun – N F1/2 and sunny
Steve, Gordon, Edward
Last club trip of the year and a resurrection of an idea from the previous bothy trip in 2017 to Loch Awe.
The forecast though just allowing an outward and return trip from Helensburgh was revised for a more comfortable weekend, to a linear trip from Arrochar to Helensburgh.
Sat 4th
Met at Arrochar Pier 1230 for on the water at 1300. One car parked near church.
Pleasant paddle down the loch arriving to the bothy at 1500. Last of the daylight spent cutting wood. 3 other lads in the bothy. Good evening chatting, cooking and eating. The bothy nicely warming up as the evening progressed.
2 hours paddling and 12 km
Sun 5th
One of the few great weather days in the past weeks and we get it again. Frosty morning and still dark as we prepared to depart the bothy after cutting some wood for the next residents.
Brief stop prior to Loch Goil entrance to allow a reduction of insulation as the sun appears. Mid morning break on Finart Beach followed by a crossing from Gairletter Point to Knockderry. Lunch at Kilcreggan still in the sunshine, followed by a home run into Helensburgh for 1500.
5 Hours paddling and 27Km
