Monday, 12th September 2011
After a very heavy night's sleep in Torridon Hostel, the team were up at 0340 to ensure they left by 0500, ready for the long day ahead, and still on top form. They had heard the reports of bad weather heading from the west to hit North West Scotland, so they started early to try and get as much done as possible.
Becky and James Boggis (a university friend of Tom's) joined Tom and Alex for the short 15 minute cycle to the foot of Tom na Gruagaich, dedicated to Cpl Jonathan Moore - Royal Regiment of Scotland, and sponsored by Fiona Laing. The next Munro Sgurr Mor, was dedicated to Corporal Thomas Mason, Royal Regiment of Scotland. They climbed these Munros in record time; helped by a good path at the end which was excellent for running down.
Lewis and Lucy then met them with their road bikes and a hot chocolate at the bottom at around 0945. It was then a short cycle to the bottom of the next two Munros - Mullach an Raithain and Spidean a’ Choire Leith, both dedicated to the Royal Corps of Signals. There they were met by Mrs. Whitelaw whose son was tragically killed in action and Lynsey Houston the partner of Lance Corporal Joe Pool who was also lost his life in Afghanistan last year. The team very much enjoyed meeting them, as the Munro dedications embody the incentive of the mission. Graham from Skye Hi also came to meet the team and to join them for the rest of the day - he and his wife were also with the team last week. The team was very grateful for some extra navigation help: the Torridon area is home to some of Scotland’s toughest Munros.
It was very wet all the way up and back and very slippery under foot, especially on the rock. Alex had a wonderful time sliding down on his bottom until he got very close to some crags. His life flashed before his eyes as he was faced with a rather nasty drop and very little way of braking. He managed to steer away just in time!
Becky and Lucy then went to meet the team as they came off the 4th Munro to swap positions with James and Tom Elliott. The team then continued up Ruadh-stac Mor, also for the Royal Signals, and Spidean Coire nan Clach, in honour of the Royal Military Police. Despite the weather there were some stuinning views including some spectaular waterfalls. The rivers and waterfalls are absolutely gushing up here; there is a huge amount of water around at the moment.
After a lot of scrambling and climbing up scree the team made it up Ruadh-stac Mor ahead of schedule. They managed to stay up high on the ridge along to the next one without losing much height but it still had its scrambles!
Then it was back down to the road for a last 7km bike ride back to a bunkhouse in Kinlochewe. Tom and Alex really enjoyed a little cycle to loosen off their muscles.A good sausage casserole supper was then enjoyed by all after warming up with a shower and some dry clothes.
There is less than a week to go now. The team are really pushing themselves for the final stretch. Please help us reach our fundraising target for 2 fantastic charities to recognise the huge sacrifices our troops have made over the last 10 years in Afghanistan, and donate here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/decaidmunromission.
End of Day 43 - 253 Munros climbed. £33,210.44 raised.
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