MEALL NAN TARMACHAN
The view down to the dam from near the top. Photo tms.nickbramhall.com
2.6 miles 583 metres
Start Tuesday 20.50
Meall nan Tarmachan 21.19
Finish 21.32
Squares: Blue - start and finish. Circles summits: green - this leg. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 1.00 Actual 0.42
Tony writes:
Sixteen hours after my disappointing night crossing of Cairnwell west and the action has moved to Tayside. Having only had an hour's sleep in the last 36, I can't say I was fit for this one. The pressure was on me too – particularly from Ed. M. nan T. is (on paper) the easiest leg of the lot and the estimated time of 1 hour should've been more than generous. However the other single legs at the top of Glen Lyon are also short and if I did not perform well I could be faced with the embarrassment of being topped by Meall Buidhe, Stuchd an Lochain or Meall Ghaordie. I did not know the times of these legs when I set off.
As I limped across the dam I knew I had a few things in my favour – short grassy ascent/descent and although not rested I didn't feel tired. I was also back to wearing walshes and with the end of the relay not far away, I was prepared to push it a bit. It was also the half-time in the England – Belgium World Cup match (0-0). I knew that if I was swift I could be back in time to hear the last few minutes of this 2nd round game.
In the end I needn't have worried – I was on top in 29 minutes – to see a fine red glow in the northern sky behind a hill which I took to be the Ben (it was). I was back in another 13 minutes – satisfying Ed and (in my red top and shorts) providing Ed and Colin with a rare view of a Munro being “bagged” as they watched from the dam. The football match had not finished – but as it went into extra time I don't know why I rushed this hill.
Peaks done 236 time taken 10 days 18 hours peaks to go 41
Meall nan Tarmachan was unique in that Tony could be seen almost throughout. We watched him wave at the top, and we were revved up ready to go as he returned across the dam. Tony expected to get in, but was left for a few minutes as Colin raced me up to my start, and then returned for him.
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