Tom Buidhe - Carn na Claise - Tolmount - Cairn Bannoch - Broad Cairn

20.5 miles, 1240m ascent, 9 hours 35 mins

A long winter's walk from Glen Clova, which was memorable for the final river crossing.  The streams were in spate after a multi-day thaw, and I failed to notice that we'd passed the bridge in the dark.  By the time we'd arrived at the ford, I couldn't be bothered to retrace our steps and waded in to the water holding Ben aloft.  The darkness gave no indication of the depth of the water and I quickly found myself thigh deep in an icy torrent that threatened to topple me and Ben in to the black depths.  Fortunately I managed to stagger the several metres to the far bank and breathed a sigh of relief.  This was short-lived, however, as it soon became apparent that I was without map which I needed to consult to check the way back.  I assumed that it had slipped out of my waist belt prior to crossing the river and not wanting to endanger Ben once more, I felt that I had no option but to leave him on the bank and search for the map.  He was understandably unhappy at the prospect of being left on his own in the dark, but I reasoned that, unpleasant thought this may be for him, it was the safest course of action.  I waded the river once more and set off up the track, shouting to ben to stay where he was and that I'd be back soon.  He was clearly distressed so I just got on with it, but to no avail - the map must have fallen in to the river and was probably half way to the sea by now. 

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