Tough days in Knoydart, incredible scenery and facing my fears | Hiking the Great Outdoors Challenge

[@marellacoyle6999]

I've just finished this stretch from my armchair , phew I'm exhausted and now going into episode 3. What a determined young lady you are Elli.

[@user-ez5jj2hq3k]

Hi elli, wieder ein tolles Video. Mit einer Leichtigkeit, schnellen Schritten, Infos und einem Lächeln im Gesicht schaffst du es, uns Zuschauer mitzunehmen. ❤

[@StephenDouthart]

You're one tough cookie! 💪🙂

[@MrBarneymcgrew]

Beautiful, beautiful walk and very well presented. Many thanks - I am enjoying so much. I was, like you, frightened of lightning but then I had two near misses and although still sensible about it, my fear has gone. Why it's not worse I dont know. On the other hand my experiences with ticks and cows have created fears I never had in the first place. I am really not sure how this works!

[@mrjiggs3761]

Another smashing journey, thanks Ellie xx

[@ellihikes]

Thank you 😊😇

[@stephenvicary9243]

Always impressed at your hiking skills, video shots and presentation Elli. Thank you for sharing more amazing Scottish scenery. You do their country proud 👍🏻

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so so much for the kind words and your continued support, that means the world :)

[@Lindsay_Brunton]

Great videos Elli, Danke!

[@ellihikes]

Thank you 😊😊

[@user-man-guinon80]

Just watching you and seeing how you deal with the whole logistical situation is really very impressive, and a lesson to us all, but particularly your own age group, to get out there and see life. Another stimulating video. Thank you.

[@AlistairNY]

I love that Scotland has a loch called Loch Lochy :)

[@ellihikes]

😅 true 🥰😅

[@martinforrester8249]

What makes your stories so watchable, apart from your determination and resilience in adverse conditions, is your warm personality. Never change.

[@ellihikes]

Aww, that's a very kind compliment! Thank you so much, I really appreciate you following along :)

[@alastairthomson1197]

Thanks

[@ellihikes]

Aww, thank you so much for the generous support :) I really appreciate that, thank you 😊

[@alastairthomson1197]

My pleasure

[@alastairthomson1197]

@@ellihikes My pleasure, it's good to see you out and about having fun in Scotland

[@katieodonnell5469]

Thank you so much for sharing this journey so beautifully! I would love to do the TGO next year and your route is giving me all the inspiration. Your pronunciation of Gaelic words is better than most Scottish people but a teeny tip, bealach is 'b-YAL-ach' - this is one I think a lot of Scottish hikers get wrong too so you've probably heard other people say it like 'beelach'! Looking forward to the next video :)

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much for the kind words, really happy that you're enjoying the videos! Thank you so much for the pronounciation advice. I always try my best (like listening to the pronounciation of places on the walkhighlands website, asking locals etc.), but obviously I sometimes misremember things or am saying it like I heard other people say it.... Thank you so much :)

[@kivlehoggadventures5523]

Just Epic Elli, congratulation on completing this section looks soo beautiful x

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much 😊😇

[@markjackson6669]

Have been enjoying your hiking adventures. I never knew there were so many amazing trails in Britain. I mostly hike in the US, but will do the Tour du Mont Blanc in a couple of weeks. So maybe next big trip I will go to Scotland? I could really see doing the Speyside Way. I enjoy Scotch whisky, so that would be a double win. Your enthusiasm for hiking is amazing. And it seems Otto likes hiking as much as you do. Otto is especially cute with his little back roll thing and running around in the snow. You both do make a great pair. Too bad he couldn't come on the TGO.

[@RobbC.]

What doesn't kill you... annoys you, frustrates you, panics you... then makes you stronger. Love this adventure :)

[@ellihikes]

That's so true!! Thank you so much for following along and your support and encouragemet :) That means so much :)

[@RegEdmunds]

Excellent video. You have been so generous about Scotland and your videos shows the surrounding beauty. I think the Scottish Tourist Board should adopt you as their own. Have you compared and contrast in your thinking about how and why you started long distance backpacking, giving up your safe job, and where you are at now? It appears to be an interesting journey in its own right.

[@Onelesstraveledby]

Very nice footage! Thanks for sharing, and greetings from Canada! Have a great day.

[@ellihikes]

Aww, thank you so much :)

[@scrumpopulous]

You need to make some merch with your catch phrases! 'So so so nice' and 'get there and have a coffee' 😀 love the channel

[@ellihikes]

hahaha, this made my day 😂 I really do say it a lot 😆 Thank you for following along 😍

[@davidtyler7994]

Top quality film-making and commentary! Thanks for taking an old, retired hiker with you through the rough bounds of Knoydart again, one of the great areas of Scotland for wilderness walking. 👍

[@VeritySnatch]

the deer love the minerals in sea weed. watching them swim in groups of 2 or 3 makes me wonder if perhaps that would explain a few of the Loch Ness monster sightings

[@mattsmyname77]

84 likes already!! Just goes to show there is more important things than football x. Looking forward to watching the challenge

[@ellihikes]

😅 I didn't even think about that when I uploaded it. It's incredible that people are so interested in this series, makes me so happy 😍 Thank you so much for following along, that means so much!!

[@myadventuro]

Hiking requires not only excellent stamina but also the spirit of never giving up. Well done Elli !

[@chrishiking8818]

Such an awesome beautiful woman who puts so much in to her videos over the outdoors. The excitement and smiles of a true hiker 🌷

[@alangauld6079]

You were really lucky with the weather in Knoydart. I was there just a couple of weeks later and all the paths were rivers and the boggy bits were ankle deep mud. I got the worst case of trench foot I've ever had, it's still not fully recovered 6 weeks later! That was an interesting route from Barrisdale, I had assumed you'd go over the Barrisdale and Carnach passes but your route saved a lot of re-ascent. BTW Those grassy tussocks between Carnoch and Sourlies are actually quite solid and easy going, it's the grassy area further inland that is really boggy - up to my knees at one point! but the grassy things are easier than the "path" IMHO. That road along Loch Arkaig is a bit of a slog but you had beautiful atmospheric conditions in which to enjoy it. I've never camped by Loch Treig, there are too many bothies in the area, so I've always stayed in one of them. The Ben Alder section is another fabulously wild area, looking forward to it.

[@mikePNW]

There's no better way to build confidence than facing and tackling your fears. You should be so proud of yourself Elli! Glad the weather is still cooperating with you, hope it continues. Keep crushing it my friend.

[@michaelburke248]

Hi Ellie, Thank you for the great views of Scotland .

[@gavinstewart4574]

One of your best episodes ever. Wonderful to follow your journey 💪

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much for watching and following along 😊

[@alexcrichton6864]

Well done elli, you're doing well, keep going, thanks for sharing, take care.

[@stephie_10milehike]

Oh Elli, the joy on your face! You had me smiling all the way through 😊Conquering our fears makes us so much more resilient - and I'm totally with you, my biggest feaar is also lightening! 😱 (And the odd rogue bull!)

[@MrDroldo]

Very fun to follow along on this adventure! Excited to see more. Greetings from 🇧🇪

[@ellihikes]

Oh, that means a lot! Thank you so much, I really appreciate that 😊

[@michaelatkinson8291]

You're one tough cookie & I could listen to you all day. I passed the Southern edge of Loch Treig on a walk from Dalwhinnie to Fort William back in 2003 so looking forward to the next episode which should bring back some memories xx

[@stewarthollingsworth200]

Ellie well done ,,you a incredible walker and very strong lady a inspiration to everyone,,godbless you love Stewart Wiltshire ⛺️🏃‍♀️👍👍❤️

[@johnakyle5908]

You did well , even on my bike I get fed up on Loch Arkaig , it's scenic, but a very long stretch.

[@ellihikes]

So true :) nice views and almost to traffic but it seems to go on forever 🤣

[@user-kr9bf4tx7x]

Ellie, you should be proud of yourself, we are. You are such a lovely person. And i love your little waves tou give. My wife used to give the same ones. Thank you

[@ellihikes]

Aww, that's very kind - thank you so so much for the encouragement and support! That means so much 😇

[@nickwinter991]

What a lovely video! One of your best, although they are all great. I don't know Knoydart but you really brought it to life, and showed its beauty, but also how tough and unforgiving it could be. Maybe you've also showed me I'm perhaps a bit old to contemplate going there, at any rate not on my own - so thank you for that! But now you are getting into my favourite part of Scotland; where you camped by Loch Treig was almost exactly where my wife and I camped the first time we went camping together 32 years ago. Looking forward to the next video.

[@MrChewy79]

First time viewer, now subscriber, love your enthusiasm Elli, I even find myself grinning at my phone like an idiot without knowing it! I do have a soft spot for people who seem to have a connection to the landscapes of Scotland, as it’s something I’m passionate about too. Keep up the great work

[@cheekuenbird38]

So beautiful, thank you for sharing ❤

[@ellihikes]

😇🤗 Thank you so much!

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Hello Elie and we miss you Otto. Another fantastic leg in your journey completed, you should be so proud of yourself. As for the storms, it takes a brave person to admit their fears and then push on to overcome them. Some beautiful footage again including watching them dears swim across the river (Yes they can swim lol 😁) Elie on next week's video, put a photo up of Otto because we all miss him. Take care 😜✌

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so so much for the kind words, I really appreciate the encouragement!! Hahaha, yes - it's not surprising to see them swimin hindsight, but it never occured to me prior to that 🤣😅

[@wandering_not_lost]

Another very nice video Elli, thank you.

[@franzmerkhan1237]

Tolle Aufnahmen gleich am Anfang, sehr sympathisch

[@ellihikes]

Oh, vielen lieben Dank! Das freut mich riesig :)

[@RegEdmunds]

I watched this video with my niece, and she commented that you mention the word 'nervous' a few times about your daytime intentions, but you then appear to have total confidence to wild camp by yourself. She finds this interesting because she would like to hike and wild camp as a young woman by herself, but hasn't yet got the confidence to do either.

[@jerrywhitmarsh]

Hey Reg. One of Elli's videos addresses this very point .. the JoGLE Q&A session I think. Just watching her inspires confidence!

[@RegEdmunds]

Hi Jerry, I hope you are well. I 'discovered' Ellie last year and sat in my armchair all through the colder months watching her complete her JoGLE last year. I am still impressed by her effort.

[@Daytona2]

Day 3 was a long day. Serious Scottish scenery 🌄 Being scared of lightning is not a bad fear to have. ...and whooaaa ...22 km of road walking at speed - were you thinking about PF ? I've never seen deer swim, like you I guessed that they could, but it's nice to see 😊 Lovely that you're bumping into viewers

[@ellihikes]

Yes, it was longer and harder than I had originally planned (because I stopped early the day before instead of carrying on to the River Carnach). But incredibly beautiful, Knoydart is now definitely one of my favorite places 😍 True, it's not bad to take thunderstorms seriously, although I feel like my fear is sometimes a bit irrational which annoys me. That's why I was so proud that I didn't stop early just because of the fact that a thunderstorm _might_ form. I was thinking of PF for sure that day 😂 needless to say that I did a LOT of stretches that evening because I could feel it a bit in my feet. But luckily, my stretching routine works so well now (and I know my feet so much better) that I could always stop it from coming back :)

[@muskadobbit]

Well done and congratulations, not only on the hike and challenge but on creating a beautiful and interesting video. Thanks for taking us along.

[@ellihikes]

That means so much! Thank you for the kind words and for following along 🥰

[@johnmccarron]

Well done, love watching, your now at my favourite place, Corrour and the Hills around.

[@damedavidfrith55]

Well done lass 😊

[@margaretolover3316]

Well done Elli, some tough terrain covered. I agree it is very scary being in the mountains when a thunderstorm is approaching. Fortunately, like you, I have always managed to get to the safety of the valley.

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much for following along :) Yes, it really is scary and I've always been scared of thunderstorms... it's a big fear and makes me uneasy even though I try to not let it ruin my hike. Really glad that I didn't let it stop me that day because the thunderstorms only arrived in the evening and I would have been annoyed to miss half a day of hiking just because I was afraid....

[@Philliben1991]

Had to get off Ben Lui once because of a thunder storm, it was the day after someone was killed by lightning on Ben Oss. The worst one was walking out from Ben Alder to Kinlochleven, across Rannoch moor. Must have been the heaviest rain of all time. The entire moor was drenched probably near ankle deep everywhere you stepped with lightning every couple of minutes. To say I was nervous to be standing in ankle deep water the whole time was putting it lightly. Never walked so fast in my life. When I got to Kinlochleven it was like I just walked out of the ocean. Got changed into dry gear in a telephone box like Superman! 🤣

[@margaretolover3316]

@@Philliben1991 wow, scary experience. I've run off the mountains in the Lake District and in Switzerland got to the cable car and got down, still got pelted by huge hailstones and the rain was gushing down the steep road to the hotel and water flooded over the top of my boots 😅 there was only a woodland to shelter in 🤔 half an hour later it was beautiful again. Amazing to hear the thunder rumble round the Eiger and Monch 😮

[@ellihikes]

😳😬 wow that sounds so scary!!

[@BrokenBackMountains]

As soon as you said Achnacarry, I knew you'd be at the Clan Cameron museum. My Clan😂 East.of Fort William to Ben Alder is one of my favourite parts of the country. Lots of good routes and usually you meet some TGO participants in the bothies and routes as a lot go through there to Dalwhinnie. Always lots of good pitches at Loch Treig head.Ive often had lunch where you pitched your tent, at Loch Treig when I've been on the way to Meanach or Lairig Leacach. You certainly know how to put the miles in. Thoroughly enjoying your TGO challenge

[@donalhempenstall5406]

You are very good at editing. The mix of talking to walking is very well judged. I will try and copy of couple of these stops next year.

[@ellihikes]

Aww, that's a very kind comment and means a lot as I spent quite some time on editing 😇 Thank you so much! Are you planning on doing the TGOC next year then?

[@stephenvicary9243]

Always impressed at your hiking skills, video shots and presentation Elli. Thank you for sharing some more amazing Scottish scenery (& Weather ☀️ 🌧️) and route information 👍🏻

[@fontpartners1695]

Where is Otto?

[@ellihikes]

I was on my own for this adventure, as dogs are not allowed on the TGO Challenge. He was living his best life back home. But he'll be with me for the next adventures as always :)

[@fontpartners1695]

@@ellihikes Ohh, thank you. Looking forward to see Mr Otto again 🐕👋

[@JosephSamuelson]

Thanks

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much :)

[@neilanderson841]

​@@ellihikesbeautiful & forestry woods!. Two words that normally go together??!!. Can't fault your enthusiasm for BONNIE SCOTLANDS BEAUTIFUL landscape 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ellihikes]

@@neilanderson841 😅 I'm just always happy when I see woodlands, no matter the type 😅🥰

[@neilanderson841]

@@ellihikes 👍😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 personally I prefer native woodland, for me so much nicer, more variety & wildlife. But everyone to their own. Stay safe & enjoy your adventures in BONNIE SCOTLAND 😎😎😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ellihikes]

@@neilanderson841 me too, for sure :) but there’s not a lot of those (anymore) 😓 so I take what I can get 😉😅

[@JosephSamuelson]

Thanks

[@ellihikes]

Thank you for following along 😊