Munro magic

November approached and with it thoughts on a hill in the west of Jockland that needed to be trodden on !!

The Bunkhouse at the Glencoe Independant Hostel was booked and filled with bodies from YMC and hillwalking friends of old, my kids decided they wanted to play as well, (would they make it to the top!)

Friday arrived and whilst driving north from Clydebank, I was in contact with Matt as we were deciding which hill we were going to play on as a warm up for the main event.

Matt’s comments

I began to suspect that Andy had some kind of superhuman powers as we discussed where to go on Friday considering the rather mixed weather forecast (gales and showers), Andy suggested that we ascend Beinn a'Bheithir from Balachulish, and he managed to pick out a route that suggested we would be sheltered from the wind until we hit the col between it's two summits. Guiding us with an almost uncanny knowledge of the way he led us expertly to the col and then told us "I will leave you now, the way is clear for you. Go in peace" So onwards to the first summit (Sgorr Dearg) and the wind stayed off us and the rain didn't come. Then back down at the col, where Frank waited for me while I bagged Sgor Dhonuill. On the way down we began to discuss Andy's uncanny ability to find good weather, to know where to go, and be all seeing in all things. That with the white hair and beard, and we put two and two together and came to only one conclusion. We were in the presence of a Deity. 

Back at the bunkhouse folk were gradually beginning to arrive so I went back to the Clachaig, booked in, showered etc and waited in the bar for everyone else to arrive. Paul got in touch to say he would late, server problems at work, Jamie the porn star turned up with tales of woe and gale force winds on Ben Lomond (he wants to try Bealach Bernaise ) Marie, who invited herself, was there as well and wouldn’t shut up 🙂
Tenk unfortunately couldn’t make it but Brian H turned up out of the blue.
Needless to say copious quantities of local fruit juice were consumed 😉 Especially after my kids arrived!!

Saturday morning dawned and the plan was to meet at the car park at Elleric at 9.00am, everyone turned up apart from a couple of jocks who had discovered the pleasures of Glenlivet 18 yo and Brian H. The Clachaig inmates however were rather peckish as they don’t serve breakfast until 8.30 🙁

Off up the hill we set and after a slight detour via the local forest we started a slow climb up the ridge, soon we were spread out, snake like, across the hill and stops were required at frequent intervals to let everyone regroup. Ollie and Moui chasing each other all over the hill.

As we approached the summit I was asked by a couple of folk if I would like to be first to the summit or last - my answer being I don’t really care as long as I get there - at this point though my 2 brain cells were beginning to develop a cunning plan.
It became obvious that other’s also has a plan as I noticed that I was going to be presented with a guard of honour as I approached the summit.

So as I was half way through the guard of honour on the last 50m to the summit, I clutched my chest in pain and fell to the ground. I am not sure if anyone actually thought that I was in pain or not but I thought it may put a smile on some faces.

Andy and Matt brought the customary bottle of champagne to celebrate the event, Stuart & Gordy who had caught us up produced some of that malt stuff, needless to say lots of pics were taken, my kids going daft with my camera!!

Matt’s comments

This strange phenomenon of Andy’s to forecast the weather etc was further demonstrated when on Saturday after he had effortlessly climbed Beinn Fionnlaidh on only one good leg, and as we drove back to Glencoe, what should be playing on the stereo, but "In the presence of the Lord" by Clapton (and as everyone knows: Clapton is God) 

The intention was to book the Snug bar in the Clachaig so that we could have an after dinner drink but the powers that be wouldn’t let us book it. When I arrived the bar was full of Booties from 45 Commando but shortly after the arrival of Mr Eccles (God) they got up on mass and left us to it, obviously divine intervention again!!

Paul arrived (better late than never) Brian H unfortunately had to disappear early

Meals consumed, alcohol thrown down a few necks, and then I was surprised by Andy producing a birthday cake (thanks YMC) and kids with a rather large sharp implement with which to cut it up with!!

We eventually adjourned to the posh bar to escape the music and somehow managed to consume even more alcohol 🙂

Sunday dawned and I was surprised to find that god’s mate had left the results of a bet in the Clachaig for me (thanks M). He then completed a few more Munro’s, Criese etc along with Dolly and Gill, Marie wandered on to Starav and I wandered to my father’s to do things with some venison, kids heading home.

Thanks folks for a fantastic weekend

4933 🙂