Chapter 7. 1984 Adventures
A year where we: have more crampon failures, learn of a grave situation, enjoy piggybacks, re-enact Cinderella and see my son climb his first Munro. Includes 33 Munros (2 Repeats) around Crianlarich, Cruachan, Appin, South of Glencoe, Etive, A9, Ben Dearg Group and Fanaich.
It was also the year we completed "The Ultimate Challenge" walk across Scotland, which is covered in more detail elsewhere.
February 18th- 20th, 1984
Mal, Ian, Geraldine (Bean)
Starting with...
February 18th, 1984
Mal, Ian, Geraldine (Bean)
2 Munros
Meall Glas, Sgiath Chuil
(Killin to Crianlarich)
After a night in Killin (B&B with Mrs Marquee) the start point was on the A85 between Killin and Crianlarich. Boots were on at 10.45.
I wore a brand new Polarfelt for the first time. Within two minutes it was receiving a bashing as we clawed through thick pine and larch undergrowth to avoid having to take the track past Auchessan- we were turned back here once.
In the first half hour we made little overall progress. We struck due north to meet the Allt Essan which proved too wide and deep to cross, so we had to follow it upstream towards Loch Essan for a good ¾ mile.
Eventually we managed to cross and head once more for Meall Glas. As the gradient stiffened we stopped for a brew and Ian's map dropped down a crack in the top of a 15ft boulder on which we had perched for a brew.
It fell right to the bottom and we could just see it with the aid of a torch. Amazingly, with a bit of arm stretching, the map was retrieved from a slit under the boulder's base.
The weather was fine and clear with thick soft snow on the ground all day. We next headed directly for our second Munro, Sgiath Chuil.
The snow slope entailed quite a bit of kicking. It was firm in parts and soft in others. At one point I dropped one of my nice new pink mitts, and it glissaded down on the snows surface for a couple of hundred feet.
This too was retrievable.
We didn’t take in the northerly top but returned down crunchy snow, with a brew stop at the bottom, to reach Auchessan in the dark.
As we joined the main road at 6.30pm an Ambulance stopped. "Do you want a lift boys, I'm just on my way to an incident!" We thanked him but our car was only a hundred yards away.
When we stopped for a drink at Tyndrum, who should be at the bar but our friend the ambulanceman. It turned out that the mission he was on was to a hillwalking accident in the Cruachan area that we were going tomorrow.
He said there was no rush as his intended passenger was dead, and it would take a while for the Mountain Rescue to get the body of the hill.
The next morning Marjorie heard the radio report that two men and a female had been involved in a mountain accident in our area of Scotland, but fortunately I had phoned to say that we were OK.
As the snow's surface iced up nearer the summit I tried my crampons, but once again they kept coming off. Brilliant snow covered peaks all round.
We lodged the night at Dalmally, after a bar supper in the "Tight Line". The landlady here was most concerned that we get to our digs in good time as "they will be worried about you".
In the event our hosts chatted over tea and biscuits for quite some time.
10 miles. 4175ft. 7hours 45 mins.
From the Col back to Ben More we enjoyed some good snow sliding down to the Benmore Burn.
Some of us had axes and this was one of the first days we had used them. We agreed that Crampons were something we all should have.
5½ miles. 4300ft.
February 19th, 1984
Mal, Ian, Geraldine (Bean)
2 Munros,
Beinn Eunaich, Beinn a Chochuill,
(Near Cruachan)
Our start point today was from by the River Strae, near the east end of Loch Awe, near “Castles” only about 3 miles from our night's accommodation.
Boots on at 10.40am.
Ascending straight up the “nose” of Stob Maol we climbed steadily up Beinn Eunaich. It was another fine day, clear and sunny, and above 2500ft the snow was crisp.
2½ hours saw us at the top, and there was now a cold strong breeze. Along the ridge to Beinn a Chochuill my crampons worked, at last.
Did I have a Perm?!
The second Munro was achieved at 2.20pm. From here we tracked back ½ mile along the crest then plunged down a ridge of excellent snow, to meet a landrover track near a bridge.
By 4pm we were back in the car.
8 1/2 miles. 4050ft. 5hours 20mins.
We motored to Connell Bridge, then North. I thought that we stayed at an Inn at Creagan, overlooking the old railway viaduct across Loch Creran, but Bean's diary puts us at Duror, further north.
I think, however, that we will both recollect the very welcome pot of tea in the foyer, wherever it was.
February 20th 1984
Mal, Ian, Geraldine (Bean)
1 Munro
Beinn Sgulaird
(Appin)
We parked at Elleric in Glen Creran at 10.45 and followed Glen Ure on a good stalkers path, before striking up to Stob Gaibhre after the plantation.
We used ice axes to claw our way up the frozen grass and required crampons well before the summit.
Geraldine (Bean) & Ian
Near the summit we carried Ian a short section as he had no crampons. Whether he should count this Munro or not is debatable.
This is what friends are for! Mal gives Ian a piggyback.
We were on top by 2pm.
It was cold but fine, with just a slight breeze¸ though it had been blustery on and off.
Traversing over the summit we took the gully right and descended in a direct line to Glenure.
Preparing to toboggan down
Crampons were kept on until below 1000ft. Initially we cut a few steps down a steep gully for Ian, then we kept to the hard snow whilst he sought out grassy tufts.
4.15 saw us at the car.
7 1/2 miles. 3150ft. 5hours 30mins.
Sleet and snow accompanied us on our drive home.
May 10th- May 19th, 1984
Mal & Ian,
15 Munros, 3 Tops, 3 Corbetts,
"The Ultimate Challenge", Cross Scotland Walk,
205 miles and 33,700ft
Shiel Bridge to Montrose
The story of The Ultimate Challenge has been recorded in full in narrative form previously, and I will not repeat it here.
My article published in Great Outdoors recaptures the essence. The version on this link uses our own photographs from the time but when the article was published it used photographs from other sources.
The original published version from the November 1984 edition of 'Great Outdoors Magazine' will also be on the website soon for reference.
But meanwhile here I've included a tally timetable showing the Munros and Corbetts climbed, a handful of the photographs... and some information about the use of ladies tights, that we didn't include in the published article!
One thing that isn't included either in the published article or this website, is the very left hand section of a photograph entitled 'Bathnight at 3,000ft'. As we were carrying our rucksacks for the nine day expedition, saving weight and space was important, so we neither wanted to be carrying swimming trunks... nor wet underwear.
Skinny dipping was the rather freezing answer. I've spared that becoming a worldwide internet sensation by not publishing the full photograph here!
Bathnight at 3,000ft
On the same theme, we knew we would be camping at 3000ft with temperatures very likely to be sub zero overnight, Ian experimented with ways of keeping warm. The solution needed to be very light weight and compact as we were carrying our packs throughout the nine day expedition.
Old newspapers do the job, but ladies tights could be a better option. Note the fact that Ian developed the idea further, by cutting the crotch and feet out of a second pair ... so that they can be put on upside down, thus covering his arms and upper body.
Apparently during his experiments his young boys were enthralled at the spectacle. What psychological damage will it do in future years?! What would they put in their school essay when writing about life at home?!
Anyway, we all completed the expedition and were glad to be both warm enough at night and keep our pack weights down!
Here's the tally table...
Tramps at Brechin
June 30th- July 1st, 1984
Mal, Geraldine, Jim Pickering, Andrew and Susan Wiseman, Joanne Durham
Starting with...
June 30th, 1984
Mal, Geraldine, Jim Pickering, Andrew and Susan Wiseman, Joanne Durham
2 Munros, 1 Top,
Beinn Fhionnlaidh,
Sgor na h-Ulaidh
(South of Glencoe)
Andy's first Munro
From a base of Glencoe Youth Hostel we parked at Elleric in Glen Creran. We struck up Beinn Fhionnlaidh, by way of Leac Bharrainn on a very warm day. By the time we reached Lochan Cairn Dierg both Susan and Joanne were falling behind the pace.
They had just finished O Levels and were completely whacked and Susan had stomach ache. To cover both Munros and the Top, we needed to crack on with the pace, so they opted to drop down back to the car whilst the others went on.
From the summit the all round views were tremendous. This was Andrew's first Munro. Tomorrow would be his second, and 17 years on his total, so far as I am aware, was still 2!
It was a steep drop down on the north side to a col, and a equally steep pull back up onto the rocky summit of Sgor na h-Ulaidh. It was still cloudless.
From the summit we headed for the Aonach Aulsh a Ghlinne before dropping off West into Glencoe. Once down we picked up a car and drove round for the girls.
We then had a meal at Duror before paying a compulsory visit to the Clachaig, before returning to the Youth Hostel.. This was Jim Pickering’s first trip with us, so we introduced him to “Draught Guinness”. He was so impressed by the new experience that he went for a second ... and the rest is history.
12 1/2 miles. 5200ft.
Andy's first Munro
Mal, Nev, Bean on Fhionnlaidh
July 1st, 1984
Mal, Geraldine, Jim Pickering, Andrew
2 Munros,
Stob Coir' an Albannaich,
Meal nan Eun
(Etive)
These two were tackled from Glen Etive, starting at Glencaitlin with a wet river crossing. Albannaich involved a bit of a scramble up a superb river gorge.
Where we had to use hands and knees to gain height, Andrew dislodged one large stone which narrowly missed Geraldine as we scrambled up a gully.
I shuddered for days at the near miss. Fortunately both Andrew and, more importantly, Geraldine, seemed oblivious to the nearness of the incident.
Globe flowers were abundant, as were sorrel and thrift.
Crossing over Meall Tarsuinn to nan Eun we rested at the col. The weather remained sunny and clear with good views.
We dropped down a gully we had passed and followed the boggy side of the Allt Ceitlin back to base. I thought that we located a bridge for our return crossing of the river, but Geraldine's more detailed diary says we paddled again.
According to the photo in Malcolm's collection, she was right.
10 miles. 4300ft.
It was after 6 by the time we had collected the girls from the Visitor Centre in Glencoe and very late when we arrived back in Blackpool. (After midnight I think).
Mountains of Crianlarich: Stobh Gardh, Cruach Ardrain, Beinn A'Chroin, An Caisteal
Killin Falls of Dochart
October 27th- 30th, 1984
Mal, Ian, Geraldine (Bean), Jim Pickering
It was around now that we attended a Scouting presentation. Probably the Silver Acorn Evening. We resurrected Wally Crellins' version of Cinderella, first enacted at 23rd Blackpool Scouts around 1960.
In the original production I think Malcolm was the Prince, but in the current version he was much better cast as one of the “Ugly Sisters”, with Ian playing the other.
It looks like I am “Cinderella”, whilst Geraldine is the “Prince”, and Valerie the “Fairy Godmother”.
Back in the world of Munro bagging, we set off Friday night and stayed at Pitlochry.
October 27th, 1984
Mal, Ian, Geraldine (Bean), Jim Pickering
3 Munros
Sgairneach Mhor. Beinn Udlamain
A Mharconaich
(A9)
It was cold, crisp and clear after a wet, cloudy start. We set off from the A9, parking at the exit to Coire Dhomhain for 10.30am.
We followed the burn, after a tricky crossing, a short way, then took the easy slopes of Sgairneach Mhor, which became steeper and narrower before the summit.
Then, out of mist and into sunshine, and a big loop on towards Beinn Udlamain, following a fence to the cairn.
Beinn Udlamain. Was it something I said? Ian walks of whilst Nev, Jim & Bean duly pose
We added on a repeat visit to A Mharconaich for those who hadn’t done it. The summit cairn is at the NE end of a plateau. Again views of Ericht were good.
Bean and Jim headed on for the 4th Munro Geal Charn while Nev, Ian & Mal dropped to the car.
10 miles 2900ft. 5hours.
We headed on to our holiday chalet at Cambeltown Cottages, Leckmelm, near Ullapool. We stayed here a few times and often had difficulty in paying when we left as the proprietors were not early risers. Deer were often in the grounds.
October 28th, 1984
Mal, Ian, Geraldine (Bean), Jim Pickering
4 Munros
Eididh nan Clach Geala. Meall nan Ceapraichean, Cona Mheall, Beinn Dearg.
(Beinn Dearg Group, Inverlael)
Boots were on at 9.15am. We parked towards the south end of Loch Broom at Rubha Aird an Tuirc and took the forestry path to Glensquaib.
From here we zigzagged up and above the trees onto the nose of Druim na Saobhaidhe, and worked our way, gently at first towards Eididh nan Clach Geala the first Munro of the day.
There was snow on the tops. We enjoyed views to here but the weather then deteriorated to cold and wet.
By the next Munro Meall nan Ceapraichean (Beans 50th) it was cold, wet and windy. We moved on, down an easy angled ridge, then turned SSE up a wide bouldery slope and the only good views on the detour to Cona Mheall were down into a fabulous corrie, steep walled on three sides.
Returning to a col we now turned S to where a dry stone dyke led us West. Passing through a gap and bearing SSW for about three hundred metres took us across a flat dome to the summit of Beinn Dearg, for 3.40pm, but we had no views at all.
We followed the wall north west over Dollaid a Mhill Bhric, where visibility improved before we had a difficult heathery twilight descent to the River Lael just below the Eas Fionn waterfall.
The track from here was much easier, with darkness descended and stags bellowing, we soon re-entered the woods, emerging eventually onto the road at Inverlael.
Walking back to the car we saw seals in the loch. We also thought we got a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
It was 6.45pm as we hit the car. We returned to base for supper and probably did not have an early night.
19 miles. 5150ft. 9hours 30mins.
October 29th, 1984
Mal, Ian, Geraldine (Bean), Jim Pickering
1 Munro
Sgurr nan Each
(Fanaich)
Today we parked up about 4 miles from Braemore Junction along the Dundonnell road. Boots were on for 10am.
We took the short track to Loch a Bhraoin, then followed the burn closely, south, to the head of the valley.
We passed a shepherd gathering sheep. It was unusual to see anyone at all on most days out. We also saw what we guessed to be a vole.
From the col at the head of the valley we climbed steeply east to a ridge and then an airy, extremely windy, and rather wet, promenade to the summit of a viewless Sgurr nan Each.
Our original plan was then to go on to Sgurr Breac. We set of up its nose, but at 2000ft the wind was blowing us over constantly, and after a brew stop we decided that conditions were definitely against us and progress was impractical.
Waterfalls were blowing backwards. Mal's map flew off, miraculously to return to our feet.
We beat the retreat, this time following the path on the east side of the burn. Right at the end we had to paddle across as the rain had swollen the water level considerably since the morning.
Back at the car for 5pm.
11 miles. 2500ft. 7hours.
October 30th, 1984
Mal, Ian, Geraldine (Bean), Jim Pickering
1 Munro
A'Buidheanach Bheag
(A9)
Away from Campbeltown Cottages early...
... we headed back through Inverness and Dalwhinnie to park up near Dalnaspidal Lodge and climb the Munro on the east side of the A9.
For our day driving home we thought we would chose a clinical hill. It was a midday start.
The slope was gentle grass and the going easy. There was a thick mist, which wind and rain failed to move, and, talking, we didn’t pay too much attention to route finding, assuming the summit would just appear in around one and three quarter hours time.
It didn’t, and we wandered round in circles trying to locate a feature, and every one we found bore no resemblance to the map, such is the extent of the tricks mist can play.
After a very long time we located a fence, and this led us to the summit cairn and trig in a disgraceful 3 hours.
This was a good instance of the value of accurate compass and time control. The GPS had not really been invented at economic production costs at this time and even the mobile phone was a thing of the future.
Oh happy days!!
Going down took only an hour, and we spotted stags and geese in formation (the geese not the stags—dummy!!)..
9 miles. 1750ft. 4hours 5mins.
Returning, and rejoining Dave, we aimed for where the Cam Chriochan Burn passes under the Alder track.
Never one to miss the opportunity of a shower on a hot day, Ian was tempted by the cool rushing water and was soon wallowing, affording the camera man yet another record for posterity.
15 1/2 miles. 3050ft.