In 1891 Sir Hugh Munro
first published a set of tables of the 3,000 feet (>914.4m) mountains of
Scotland. Since then later generations of hill walkers have explored
the hills and used completion of the list as a challenge. His name has become
synonymous with these mountains even though he didn't quite achieve
it himself.
I
have had an ambition to complete the Munros for many years and have
been slowly and sporadically ticking off the list. Why? Aside from the
satisfaction of the challenge, it is a great way of getting to see some
really beautiful and, in places, remote parts of Scotland. But I'm now
having to head further and further North to get the ones I haven't yet
done!
There is no exact definition of a
Munro so the number of them is open to debate.
Running some of the hills is possibly my best chance of success as more can
be done in one day. In August 2003 I jogged 8 Munros along the South Shiel ridge
from Sgurr na Sgine to
Creag
a'Mhaim in blisteringly
heat; the pint
of Guiness at the end was well earned.
I have also used a mountain bike on a number of routes which can
save some significant time on the way in and out. Lurg Mhor near Achnaschellach has been the best ride
in and out from Attadale, especially as the weather was possibly the hottest day I
have had in the mountains in Scotland.
Highest munro:
Ben Nevis (1,344m). I've been to
the top of "The Ben" on several occasions including walking the tourist path,
completing the fell race, climbing Tower Ridge and via the Carn Mor
Dearg arrete.
Most challenging:
Innaccessible Pinnacle (climbed in August 2009, lead climbing gratefully provided by Neil Harwood of Guildford Orienteers). Saving to last:
Undecided..... should I get to 250 I will start to think about it!
To
record progress I have
an online listing of all UK hills climbed on Hill Bagging. |