Sunday 4th September 2011
This morning the team had departed from the 5 star campsite at Morvich by 06:30 and headed west on their roadbikes towards the Isle of Skye. Tom and Alex were joined by Lucy's brother Jack who cycled with the team for the 3 hour cycle to Sligachan. It was a beautiful morning and the scenery looked stunning in the early morning sun as they crossed the bridge at the Kyle of Lochalsh onto the Isle of Skye. The views certainly helped Tom and Alex take their minds of their aching limbs; you could see for miles right out to the islands beyond Skye.
Once at Sligachan Tom, Alex and the support team met up with Graham Paterson and his wife Annie from Skye Hi Guides. Graham was extremely kind in June when he took the team up for a recce on the notoriously difficult and technical Cuillin ridge. He very kindly offered to help Tom and Alex again for the real challenge and will be spending two days with them completing the 12 munros on Skye. 11 are part of the ridge and then Bla Bheinn is on its own further east.
The boys disappeared up onto the ridge with Graham at 1000 and didn't return until 0800 the following morning! In total 27 hours of climbing and scrambling on the Cuillin ridge; the team climbed and abseiled 6 munros in the dark!
For the Royal Anglian Regiment they climbed Sgurr na Mhadaidh, Sgurr a’ Ghreadaidh - dedicated to Cpl Scott Hardy, and Sgurr Mhic Choinnich for the Royal Irish Regiment; all of which were sponsored by the Romsey Ladies.
The Hicks Family sponsored Sgurr na Banachdich, climbed in memory of Capt David Hicks, Royal Anglians.
Also for the Royal Irish Regiment, the team conquered munros Sgurr Alasdair, dedicated to Ranger Aaron McCormick and Sgurr Dubh Mor. Sgurr na Eag was climbed in honour of the Royal Welsh Regiment. The team also climbed Am Bastier, dedicated to Private John Thrumble of The Royal Artillery, and Bruach na Frithe for the Royal Anglian Regiment.
They climbed the notorious Inaccessible Pinnacle, sponsored by Karen Cummings, to commemorate Lance Corporal Paul Muirhead, Royal Irish Regiment.
At the top of Sgurr Nan Guillian the team had a sip of Speckled Hen ale which had been given in honour of Capt David Hicks, Royal Anglians.
Graham hardly ever does the ridge in one go and has never done or known anyone to do such a large chunk in the dark, so it really was a massive achievement and to keep going for 27 hours is pretty incredible! But the team were rewarded with the most amazing views and incredible sunsets along the way. They had a wonderful day although it was by far the toughest endurance test they have had so far.
When they arrived at Glen Brittle memorial hall (for walkers and mountaineers), Tom, Alex and Graham were fed pasta bolognese before climbing into bed. They got a good 6 hours sleep before being awoken at 1445 to climb Bla Bheinn. Meanwhile the support team spent time cleaning their vehicles, fixing bikes and sorting food supplies as well as accommodation for the next few days, and writing press releases for the local and national press on the team's achievements so far.
They have now completed over 200 munros!
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