Running, fell-running and mountains: September 2011

Cairngorm - Stob Coire An t-Sneachda - Carn Lochan - Ben Macdui and return by richg76 at Garmin Connect - Details

4000ft mountain challenge - day 3......difficult conditions but a further 2 4000ft peaks reached.

Garmin battery failed just before summit of Ben Macdui so only part of walk recorded.

4000ft mountain challenge 10-13 September 2011 - DAY 3

We were absolutely determined after the disappointment of day 2, that if there was any chance of us climbing on day 3 we would....

We woke to low cloud over Cairngorm but little sign of worsening winds so decided to attempt the mountains; already decided that Cairngorm +/- Ben Macdui was the most we could realistically achieve (i.e. 6 of the 9 4000fters).

3 Golden Eagle circling above the camp-site; took that to be a good omen!

Drove to Ski Centre again; blustery conditions but improved compared to previous day. Reached Ptarmigan station – low cloud, mist, drizzle + blustery wind – also saw 3 Ptarmigan on way to the station.

Weather then deteriorated in terms of visibility; low cloud and driving (horizontal) rain.

Similar weather then continued for the remainder of route; reached Cairngorm summit (4084ft / 1245m) after approx 1hr and decided to continue at least as far as Stob Coire An t-Sneachda (escape route at this point if necessary).

Due to miserable conditions with visibility down to 100m in places, we continued in this manner, reaching one summit at a time, eventually reaching Carn Lochan after approx 2hrs. Low cloud continued for majority of time, though caught glimpses of the impressive cliffs of ‘The Great Slab’ below Carn Lochan.

Navigation across the moor from Carn Lochan to Ben Macdui was very difficult; low visibility and featureless landscape (moss, heather and rocks) - thankfully Graham had a reserve compass after the one that broke on CMD

As we reached slopes of Ben Macdui our way was helped by multiple cairns, guiding the way. Disappointingly my Garmin battery ran out just below summit so less than half of actual walk was recorded.

Summit of Ben Macdui (4294ft / 1309m) was momentous; 6 peaks in 2 days worth of walking. A proud moment; toasted with several mouthfuls of ‘Banana Bread beer’ and a thought to my dad and Graham’s dad who would have both been extremely proud of our achievement. ‘Donated’ the remainder of the beer to the Ben and gave a further poignant thought to Dad. All too quickly though it was time to leave the summit; weather had proved to be dismal throughout – waterproof clothing severely tested...and failed! We were completely wet through!

Saw only 2 other people throughout the whole walk; both were rangers.

Returned via same route except descended to ski centre via path just prior to Cairngorm summit.

A quick shower at Glenmore campsite followed by a drive to the Cairngorm hotel, Aviemore for a well-deserved meal, pint and a proper bed!! Listened to traditional Scottish music in the bar after the meal; a perfect ending to a great adventure, and one which will live with me forever!

Walk distance: approx 12 miles.

Walk time: approx 6hrs.

Total ascent: approx 2500ft.

Number of 4000fts: 2

Totals for the challenge overall:

6 4000ft peaks in 2 days of walking.

4 4000ft peaks in a single 8hr period (day 1).

Total ascent: in excess of 9676ft

.... ...Braeriach, Sgorr an Lochain Uaine and Cairn Toul are still waiting though... ...one day we'll be back to finish the 4000fters!!

Steady run round Loch Morlich by richg76 at Garmin Connect - Details

Instead of attempting to climb Cairngorm etc as planned, adverse weather changed our plans. This was a really nice consolation through gorgeous pine forest; a good steady run.

4000ft mountain challenge 10-13 September 2011 - DAY 2

We woke on day 2 knowing that this was probably going to be even tougher than day 1: this would be 2 peaks and a steep descent into the Lharig Ghru but with heavy bags.....

After a great breakfast at the ‘Chase the Wild Goose’ hostel during which we met a group of 17 who had unfortunately failed in their attempt at the 3 peaks challenge; choosing to finish at Ben Nevis and then finding difficulty ascending in the dark wedrove to Cairngorm national park (leaving Fort William at approx 0830hrs and saw a Black Grouse on approach to Aviemore).

Our intention was to park at Cairngorm Ski Centre and reach summit of Cairngorm and Ben Macdui, descending into the Lharig Ghru and camping before completing the challenge on day 3 with the ascent of Sgorr an Lochain Uaine, Cairn Toul and Braeriach.

The Ski Centre is at approx 2080ft (635m); parked up in blustery conditions (it nearly blew the car door off its hinges!) and went to discuss our plans at the ranger base who advised against the route due to poor weather for the 11^th and deteriorating on 12^th (up to 110mph winds). We decided to attempt Cairngorm but to turn back if weather making conditions dangerous.

Managed approx 0.5m of climb (not far short of Ptarmigan station) but with winds up to approx 70mph we decided to abort.

This obviously caused great disappointment as we both knew that this almost certainly meant we would not complete the challenge. It was with some regret that we turned back and off the mountain; knowing that we had made the right decision but also sad that this probably meant the end of the challenge.

Drove back into Glenmore Forest Park and camped in the campsite. Went for a steady run in warm, calm weather (!!!!) around Loch Morlich; this was a beautiful run and made up a bit for the disappointment we were feeling.

We decided that if the weather allowed we would attempt Cairngorm and Ben Macdui the following day, which would allow us to complete 6 of the 9 intended mountains.

Ben Nevis - Carn Mor Dearg - Aonach Beag - Aonach Mor by richg76 at Garmin Connect - Details

Garmin data for the immense walk on day 1 of the 4000ft mountain challenge....

4000ft mountain challenge 10-13 September 2011

Day 1: Ben Nevis - Carn Mor Dearg - Aonach Beag - Aonach Mor

There are nine mountains in the UK that are officially over 4000ft; all of them are in Scotland. The challenge that my brother-in-law (Graham Miller - above left on photo) and I (Richard Gratton - above right on photo) set outselves was to reach the summit of each of them within a 3 day period. This was rather insanely for enjoyment (is that the right word?!) but also to raise money for charity; Graham for Trinity hospice (Blackpool) and me for Ashgate hospice (Chesterfield).

In better conditions this challenge was inevitably going to be tough, brutal and other such words, but definitely possible. Unfortunately the weather was against us on the second day, meaning that we only reached the summit of 6 of the 9 mountains.

This was an amazing experience and challenge; something that neither of us will ever forget and whilst we are left with a tinge of disappointment at not completing the challenge; given the conditions that we faced on days 1 and 3, we still did extremely well.

We left Chesterfield on 10th September 2011 at approximately 0400hrs and drove to Glen Nevis (near Fort William), parking in the lay-by opposite Glen Nevis youth hostel. We started the climb of Ben Nevis (4409ft / 1344m) and the found the lower slopes at least extremely busy, with multiple groups of people attempting to reach the summit (more than 200). The weather was overcast with spells of rain, though it felt quite humid on the lower slopes at least. The climb went well and without pushing ourselves, we reached the summit in approx 1hr 40min.

Next up was the traverse of the Carn Mor Dearg Arete in order to reach the summit of Carn Mor Dearg (4002ft / 1220m). By now the weather had deteriorated and we were faced with moderate gusts of wind, low cloud, rain and bursts of hail!

The Arete itself (above) is a jumble of broken rocks and at times was very tough going because of the weather; in some ways this is similar to the brilliant traverse of Crib Goch (Snowdonia) and I have already made a mental note to return and do it again in better conditions. Such was the weather that it was slow progress and took us a further 1hr 25min to reach summit of Carn Mor Dearg (photo below).

Attempted to reach Aonach Beag / Mor via leaving CMD by its ‘East Ridge.’ Unfortunately due to low visibility we left the summit and ended up walking too far to the north (Graham blamed this on a broken compass) and were then faced with a hard traverse across (inevitably) more scree and down into the valley between CMD and the Aonachs.

Then faced with extremely tough, steep climb through wet, loose rocks / grass to the plateau between Aonach Beag (4048ft / 1234m) and Aonach Mor (4005ft / 1221m). Decided to go to Aonach Beag first, then Aonach Mor.

The approach to Aonach Beag is spectacular with views across to the Grey Corries on one side and towards Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis on the other (photo below).

It was brilliant to reach the summit of each of the 4 mountains; day 1 was going well even though it was a brutal run/walk.

Left summit plateau via same (steep) route and returned to valley floor. Then followed valley down to Glen Nevis; through stream, bog, heather and rocks - this was very hard work due to a wet Scottish summer and lonely too – we only saw 6 people after leaving the summit of Ben Nevis. The highlight of this long walk down the valley was seeing a group of Red Deer crossing our path ahead.

We eventually reached the road that runs from head of Glen Nevis to Fort William and attempted to jog back towards the car at the youth hostel. Part way along, given a lift by a 70 year old man called Neil Tanner (from Ashover!) – wouldn’t normally say this but we were glad to cut the walk short and get a lift at the end of a very hard day.

Then drove to the ‘Chase the Wild Goose’ hostel at Banavie just outside Fort William and stayed overnight in a mixed dorm; full of Russian people as it turned out.

Total walk distance: 14.14m

Walk time: 8hr:16m:26s.

Total ascent: 6886ft.

Number of 4000ft peaks: 4.

An amazing day if not long and brutal in terms of weather and ascents, especially because they were mainly through loose scree and wet grass. A memorable walk even in these condtions.....