Saturday, May 01, 2010

Michael Howell climbs to another summit - 10 summits to go!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

5 of us started plus Natalie from Australia whom we’d met in the pub. George Jaksch had come from Antwerp plus DPKA, DS and ACB.

We came across on the ferry on Firday and stay in a very comfortable bunkhouse belonging to the Knoydart foundation.

Set off 8 am. Made the top of the col on the track to Barrisdale in three hours. Then it got tough. Started with ACB pointing out the wrong ridge. I cut across to it to find that I had to traverse back.

Luckily David A came over too. On the way back missed my footing and slid down 150 ft losing my ice-axe on the way. A bit shaken and bruised but decided to carry on. We went on as a twosome and did not see the others again. 

Followed tracks of the others over extensive ridges in deep snow. Natalie had left to go down before the narrow exposed summit ridge. Very hard on that ridge particularly with no ice-axe. Strong crosswind with stinging sleet/hail. Had to shield our faces which meant only one hand for steadying ourselves in the gusty wind. Slippery conditions on a steep exposed and narrow ridge. 

Delighted to get to the top at 5 pm i.e. had taken 9 hours to get there! Cairn covered in snow.  3 further hours to return the easy way to the pub and thence to the bunkhouse. Everyone had had a long day. I resolved to take Sunday off and did.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

To my delight and apprehension, the pledged total now exceeds £11,000 vs. the original target of £5,000 so I have decided to raise the target to £20,000 by the last Munro in August.  I also plan to visit Kabul over Easter, and shall report back to you on progress at Afghan Action.

The Munro quest continues. Here are some pictures from the 2nd February.  We have had a hugely snowy winter and despite three attempts, I have been able to surmount only one more Munro since November, leaving 19 to go.  Bottom right is the top of Sgurr Ruadh and the outing took nearly 10 hours.

The weather is finally milder and an outing to Knoydart is planned in mid-March.  The Knoydart peninsula is the remotest place in the Highlands, even though it is on the mainland.  There is no road connection to the rest of Scotland and the ferry across the mouth of Loch Nevis, one of the many sea-lochs (i.e. fjords) on Scotland’s west coast, runs only on Mon, Wed and Fri.  The target is Ladhar Bheinn (pronounced Lar-ven) - one of the most pleasing ridges there is, with wonderful views of the nearby Cuillins on Skye - the setting for future summer efforts.

Prior to 1745 (Bonnie Prince Charlie), the population numbered nearly 1,000 and in spite of much emigration, mainly to Canada, remained at that level in the mid 1800s.

In 1852 400 of the inhabitants were given notice of eviction for the following year and “offered” passages overseas, originally to Australia, but later to Canada. On 9 August 1853, 330 inhabitants from the west coast of the peninsula went on board the Sillery and left for Canada. However, 11 families comprising over 60 people refused to go and the story of their eviction became notorious as part of the infamous Highland Clearances. Now just 100 people live in this wild place. Here is the main street of Inverie, the only settlement.

The last Munro -Beinn Achaladair

All 10 rooms at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel are now booked by supporters, which is very pleasing.  If you want to come to the last Munro too, and stay the nights of 28th and 29th August - and can’t find anywhere to stay - or need advice - let us know.  I’d recommend you move quickly since this is a holiday weekend.  A good location is Glencoe Village - a spectacular drive of 15 miles to the northwest.

If you have not already given or pledged, please do think about a donation!  The website is below- it’s easy and secure.