27D - GREY CORRIES
View west from Stob Choire Claurigh. Sgurr Choinich Mor is the dark looking double peak below the skyline. Aonach Beag and Ben Nevis tower over in the distance. Photo https://big-gorse-bush.blogspot.com/
12.5 miles 2340 metres
Start Monday 10.04
Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin 11.16
Stob Coire Easain 11.30
Stob Ban 12.29
Stob Choire Claurigh 13.02
Stob Coire an Laoigh 13.30
Sgurr Choinich Mor 13.58
Finish 14.11
Squares: yellow - changeovers. Circles summits: green - this leg. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 4.46 Actual 4.07
After his panicky start, Ross undoubtedly produced his outstanding performance of the relay.
The weather was perfect with crystal clear views, and he nearly beat Craig to the changeover as I had told Craig that he couldn't possibly beat the schedule by any significant amount as, apart from significant climb on this leg there is also a huge amount of sharp edged quarzite boulderfields. Stob Ban as a case in point is almost all a pile of loose quarzite for its entitety.
Peaks done 198 Hours elapsed 199 Peaks to do 78
While Ross was out, the warden of the army place at Tulloch kindly allowed us to use the showers, which some of us took great pleasure in spending long periods under. He did however blot his copybook in my eyes as he took one look at our board 'Peaks done – 192 Hours elapsed – 195' and announced bluntly “I see you're behind schedule then”. He also refused to allow a few soldiers to go back inside to get some sponsorship money on the grounds that they had to board their bus that second and could not delay.
We went from here via a toilet and shopping stop in Spean Bridge to the Commando memorial overlooking Ben Nevis. In this most touristy of spots, a few of us found that trying to raise sponsorship from coach parties was a waste of time, whilst others made the most of relaxing in the glorious weather.
There is no charge for reading this account but please consider donating to the RNIB, the charity we ran for.
Share this page