BEN SGRITHEALL
The view that Tony missed. Tony's route directly up and down to the road bottom left. Photo Colin Matheson
2.5 miles 930 metres
Start Saturday 22.24
Beinn Sgritheal 23.15
Finish 23.57
Squares - blue Start & finish. Circles - summits green current leg Courtesy Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 1.30 Actual 1.33
Tony writes:
Would my ankle hold out? Or would the combination of tape, ankle support, footbed and boots get me through? History should record that neither this uncertainty nor the rapid ascent or the rapidly darkening sky or even the descent of this mountain will be my lasting memory. To be sure the ankle held, the climb was good, the night arrived and I slid down bum first on all fours virtually all the way down the ridge. The descent was pretty bad – damp grass covering scree, dead trees, branches, hidden boulders and wet slimy burns.
And also shoulder high ferns with big ticks, knee high ferns with little ticks, ankle high ferns with ticks that run around and other ticks that defy the tweezers. After my little outing I took out about 15 of these unwelcome visitors off my arms. Today (the day after) I plucked another 36 of all shapes and sizes off my body (some without their heads – I hope they don't go septic). But I've kept about 20 back for some entertainment at a later date. Ben Sgritheall has a great view (not that I saw anything – too dark) and is certainly a hill worth ticking off.
Peaks done 21 time taken 21 hours peaks to go 256
The car took Tony the short distance to Alwyn's start, then Diana drove him round to the mothership which had moved to Glen Garry. Sleep had been at best intermittent with everyone coming and going, and the general excitement.
When it arrived at about 2 am, I had immediately to transfer to the car for Ian to take me round to Murlaggan for the walk into Sourlies bothy.
Tony writes:
The reality is that you dithered and were totally uncoordinated - I ended up loading the mountain bike and gear into the car whilst you turned the mothership upside down exclaiming "My shoes, my shoes ... where's my shoes?"
Despite the lack of need to hurry, Ian managed to ground the car a few times on the switchback road up Loch Arkaig – not promising for the baton carrying that would happen on this road later.
Those left in the mothership then settled down for a night's sleep, but were disturbed very early in the morning by the return of Alwyn wanting a shower. It would undoubtedly have been better if Alwyn had settled down with Ian in the van after finishing, but those out during the night were given little consideration that the day was their night.
Throughout the trip there was an effort to maintain ordinary hours, with breakfast and supper and a night's sleep. Gradually I came to accept this, but I do not think it was appropriate particularly with regards to eating. A large reheatable evening meal per day, to be had as and when it was wanted would be far more appropriate. As for sleep, I have no solution other than the expense of an extra vehicle. Tents were not satisfactory during hot sunny days, (an infrequent occurrence on this trip,) and not ideal with the midges for most of the first week.
There is no charge for reading this account but please consider donating to Worldwide Cancer Research, the new name for the charity that we ran for.
Share this page