The DecAid Munro Mission team and supporters on the way back down Ben Hope; the last Munro on the DecAid Munro Mission
The day began at 0500 when the support team woke Tom and Alex up for the last time at their camping spot at the foot of Ben Klibreck just on the road south of Altnaharra. They had fallen asleep to the familiar sound of rain beating against the side of the tent and unfortunately it had not eased off by the time they awoke! The last morning was a bit of a disappointment for Alex, who had described his feelings on the last night as similar to excitement felt on Christmas Eve! The reality was a little less rosy for him as Ben Klibreck was particularly challenging due to hard navigation and boggy conditions, and took the team 4 1/2 hours to climb, a little longer than scheduled. Ben Klibreck was dedicated to the Royal Veterinary Corps and sponsored by VION FOOD GROUP UK with the message "The sacrifices made by our Armed Forces must always be remembered".
It was really fantastic for the team to have so many supporters to wish them well up the final Munros. Lt. Col. Nick Cheshire, Lucy and Becky headed up the penultimate Munro with the climbers, whilst media members Sophie and James, Rachel Mander, photographer Henry Snell, Tom Elliott, James Fish, Sarah Keane and Ceri's wife and daughter Jo and Alice waited for them at the bottom. The team were then greeted with egg banjos courtesy of Training Major at EUOTC Gerry Lakey.
They team were certainly not let off lightly on their last day as they were met with horizontal rain on the final road cycle of the Mission. It took them an hour to cycle the 20k distance from the base of Ben Klibreck to the base of Ben Hope, their 283rd Munro. Also in the team of well wishers and supporters was Rupert Laing's father and their lovely dog Bumble. Mr Laing, accompanied by Sarah and Sophie, headed off to the base of Ben Hope ahead of the others to allow themselves a more leisurely ascent! Also ahead of the team were Roger Green and a friend from Nitewatches who met them at the top. Nitewatches was a sponsor of The Mission and very kindly sponsored Ben Hope.
The weather had turned just before Mr Laing, Sophie and Sarah set off, and didn't improve as they gained height. Long -limbed Henry Snell bounded to the summit ahead of the rest of the team which was greatly appreciated in the thick cloud as he was able to help guide the team to the top. Also at the top before the climbers were James Fish and the aunt of Captain Andrew Griffiths, making for a very healthy welcome party.
The climb of Ben Hope was made even more special as Ceri rejoined the team for the last Munro of The Mission. Furthermore, his wife Jo and daughter Ceri had made the journey up to be with the team when they reached the top which meant a great deal to Ceri. It was incredibly important that Ceri be with everyone on the summit, despite the fact that he was still in quite a bit of foot pain.
Tom and Alex shower each other in Champagne to celebrate reaching their last summit on The Mission, whilst Ceri and Becky hold the DecAid flag.
The The DecAid Munro Mission team with supporters and Ceri's family on the summit of Ben Hope
The boys sprayed each other with champagne before Lt. Col. Nick Cheshire said some very fitting words regarding the motivation for the challenge and paid tribute to all who have given their lives in the conflict.
The group then made their last descent of the Mission and were able to take some more photographs altogether when the mist had subsided slightly.
Once at the bottom everyone was whisked away to Crask Inn where Sarah had worked her magic again and organised for the group to have a lovely dinner and stay in the Inn's cottage just across the road. After a delicious meal, the team launched chinese lanterns as a final tribute to all those men and women killed in action in Afghanistan over the last decade.
End of day 49 - 283 Munros climbed
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