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Munro Compleation 9,
Gordon's first - 28 October 2001
Not quite the First Munro Compleation Centenary
28
September 2001 was the Centenary of the First Munro Compleation. It was also to
be a joint Munro Compleation of Gordon and myself. However, the Skye Cuillin
had other ideas and sulked in wet cloud and we had to bag Sgurr nan Gillean and
Am Basteir before finishing on Bruach na Frithe. We set off, got to within a
few metres of the summit of Sgurr nan Gillean (the bit where the narrow ridge
flattens, but is slippy) and had to give up due to rain and a gusting wind. 
I
remember getting back to the tent, really cheesed off and having to endure
Sligachan's drunken clients' renditions of DJ Otiz's "Baby, What's Your Name".
So onto 28 October - the Centenary and a month of the First Munro Compleation. No overnight camping this time, it was a case of arrive at Sligachan and go for it.
The
forecast was reasonable and the summits looked promising. We headed off. To our
delight the weather permitted us safe arrival on Sgurr nan Gillean, but no
views. Down the West Ridge, involving the usual abseil, to aim up Am Basteir.
The weather started to close in and by the time we reached the Bad Step, the
rock had become wet and quite slippy so the rope had to come back out.
Am Basteir bagged
and back to the ridge, it was now just a slog up a path through some scree and
over to Bruach na Frithe. Two happy men toasted each other's achievment with a
swig of Laphroaig. We did it, shame about the weather ! An easy walk out took
us past some waterfalls back to the Sligachan Inn. The climber's bar is a
superb eating place with a jumping atmosphere - a good hearty meal was finished
down with a pint of Skye beer. The Inn was closing that weekend for the winter,
so I guess we timed it well. It was going to be a long drive home, but at least
we won't have to listen to DJ Otiz !
Gordon's Munroist number is 2647. It's taken him around 40 years to compleat them all - "He must have been young kid when he started." I hear you cry !
Time taken : 8hr
Ascent : 4,000ft
Distance : 9m
Not quite the First Munro Compleation Centenary
28
September 2001 was the Centenary of the First Munro Compleation. It was also to
be a joint Munro Compleation of Gordon and myself. However, the Skye Cuillin
had other ideas and sulked in wet cloud and we had to bag Sgurr nan Gillean and
Am Basteir before finishing on Bruach na Frithe. We set off, got to within a
few metres of the summit of Sgurr nan Gillean (the bit where the narrow ridge
flattens, but is slippy) and had to give up due to rain and a gusting wind. I
remember getting back to the tent, really cheesed off and having to endure
Sligachan's drunken clients' renditions of DJ Otiz's "Baby, What's Your Name".So onto 28 October - the Centenary and a month of the First Munro Compleation. No overnight camping this time, it was a case of arrive at Sligachan and go for it.
The
forecast was reasonable and the summits looked promising. We headed off. To our
delight the weather permitted us safe arrival on Sgurr nan Gillean, but no
views. Down the West Ridge, involving the usual abseil, to aim up Am Basteir.
The weather started to close in and by the time we reached the Bad Step, the
rock had become wet and quite slippy so the rope had to come back out.Am Basteir bagged
and back to the ridge, it was now just a slog up a path through some scree and
over to Bruach na Frithe. Two happy men toasted each other's achievment with a
swig of Laphroaig. We did it, shame about the weather ! An easy walk out took
us past some waterfalls back to the Sligachan Inn. The climber's bar is a
superb eating place with a jumping atmosphere - a good hearty meal was finished
down with a pint of Skye beer. The Inn was closing that weekend for the winter,
so I guess we timed it well. It was going to be a long drive home, but at least
we won't have to listen to DJ Otiz !
Gordon's Munroist number is 2647. It's taken him around 40 years to compleat them all - "He must have been young kid when he started." I hear you cry !
Time taken : 8hr
Ascent : 4,000ft
Distance : 9m
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compleation 9
- bruach na frithe
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