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| The visibility on the summit of Scafell Pike was not good!. |
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1998 |
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Cumbria 3.98
This year's visit to Low House was offered to some of Ian's European colleagues, and Francoise decided to join us. Her most telling remark, serious and with feeling, when the wet and the rock-face exposure were at their worst and temperature and morale were at their lowest, was "..if I die, it is you who have to tell my mother...". However, despite the poor weather and her reservations about our exposed rock-scrambling route to the summit, she seemed to enjoy herself.
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| The visibility on the summit of Scafell Pike was not good!. |
Scotland 1.5.98 to 4.5.98 - Mamores
Friday 1.5.98 - Ben More (1174m) & Stob Binnein (1165m).
We climbed the grassy slopes of Ben More from the A85 road East of Crianlarich. While the others descended, Ian and Matthew continued over Stob Binnein and Stob Coire an Lochan.
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| It was a very hot day and the arab head-dress was ideal. Ian on Ben More, looking towards Stob Binnein. | Stob Binnein, looking North from Stob Coire an Lochan |
Saturday 2.5.98 - Na Gruagachean (1055m), Binnein Mor (1128m), & Sgurr Eilde Mor (1008m).
A pleasant traverse of Na Gruagaichean, Binnein Mor, and Sgurr Eilde Beag before returning down the path to Kinlochleven. Ian and Matthew also climbed Sgurr Eilde Mor while they were there.
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| Approaching Na Gruagaichean on the broad ridge of the Mamores. | Descending the side ridge towards Binnein Mor. |
Sunday 3.5.98 - Stob Coire a' Chairn (981m), An Gearanach (982m), Am Bodach (1032m), Sgor an Iubhair (1001m), Stob Ban (999m), Mullach nan Coirean (939m).
Matthew and Ian were first on the summit of Stob Coire a' Chairn, with a cake and a bag of cards and presents for Phil's 50th birthday. The candles worked well, and the other groups on the summit joined the party.
At Am Bodach, most of the party descended the side ridge back to Kinlochleven. Ian and Dick continued over Sgor an Iubhair and Sgurr a' Mhaim, then down into Glen Nevis, then took a lift into Fort William to meet the others and celebrate Phil's birthday in the Indian restaurant.
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| Matthew was first on Stob Coire a' Chairn with Phil's 50th birthday cards. | On the main ridge, admiring the view. Which side ridge is it?. | The Mamores provide superb views towards Ben Nevis |
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| Looking across to Sgurr a' Mhaim from the western end of the ridge, bewond Stob Ban. | Ian & Dick continued over Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean, phoning home on the way. |
Monday 4.5.98 - Ben Venue (729m)
Ben Venue is a pleasant little hill with a rocky summit ridge and views over Loch Katrine and the Trossachs. We did a clockwise circuit to join the North end of the ridge.
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| We traversed Ben Venue in heavy showers, with views over Loch Katrine and (shown here) Loch Vennachar. |
Scotland 27.5.98 to 29.5.98 - Crianlarich & Corrour
James had been wanting for some time to join the 'lads' on their mountaineering trips to Scotland. By way of a trial, James and Ian took the train to Scotland for a few daws at the end of May, staying at Crianlarich youth hostel and Corrour station bunkhouse. The trip was a success, James thoroughly enjoying himself and climbing his first three Munros.
Sunday 27.5.98 - Cruach Ardrain (1046m), Beinn Tulachean (946m).
We set off from the youth hostel and climbed Cruach Ardrain by the NW ridge. After visiting Beinn Tulachean, we returned via Cruach Ardrain's NE ridge. The evening train then took us on to Corrour.
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| Below Cruach Ardrain, looking West. | Climbing his first Munro, James poses in front of Cruach Ardrain. |
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| Ian & James on Cruach Ardrain. | On the summit of Cruach Ardrain, with Ben More & Stob Binnein in cloud. |
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| James braced against the wind on Beinn Tulachean. | On the SE top as Cruach Ardrain disappears in cloud. |
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| Our train to Corrour arrives. Cruach Ardrain is above the name board. |
Monday 28.5.98 - Ben na Lap (937m).
Robert and a group of friends arrived with the sleeper train from Glasgow. We climbed Ben na Lap, then walked the 'Road to the Isles' as far as Rannoch Hotel. After a meal, James and Ian returned to Corrour on one train while the rest of the party took the southbound train back to Glasgow.
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| The Corrour Bunkhouse. | Our group by Loch Ossian on route for Ben na Lap and the Road to the Isles. |
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| Group on the summit of Ben na Lap. | Robert and James on Ben na Lap. | Relaxing back at the bunkhouse. |
The Seven Hills of Rome cannot really be included in the same category as the other hills described here. But their pursuit and ascent make an interesting story, which would certainly save a lot of time for anyone wishing to repeat the exercise!
The Vosges (France) and Schwarzwald (Germany) mountains are not mountains as we know them. They are ridges of high hills, with roads running along the ridges. Consequently, the summits can be reached by an easy stroll up tourist paths with little more than a few hundred feet of height gain. Nevertheless they are mountains, and they are quite high, so here they are!
Le Grand Ballon (1424m) - highest in the Vosges.
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| Le Grand Ballon, with its transmitter station in the style of a shining Inca temple. | From the summit, looking southeast towards a mountain club memorial. |
Feldberg (1493m) - highest in the Schwarzwald.
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| Descending from the summit of Feldberg towards a lower top. | Near the summit is the usual antenna farm!. |
Updated 21-05-06