The Munro Mission - 'The Real Story'

This Saturday evening the Munro Mission team will be holding a short reception in Edinburgh for some of their supporters and we would like to take this oppoprtunity to invite YOU to come along!

This will be a great opportunity to hear some of the stories that didn't make it onto the blog and to meet the team and to quiz them on the last couple of months.

The event is by invitation only but there are a few spaces left so if you are interested in attending then please send an email to decaidmunromission@live.co.uk or call 07746 746 726 and we can send you some more details.

All are welcome and it is free to attend but places are very limited so get in touch early to avoid disappointment!

The day after...

After a wonderful nights sleep in the holiday cottage at Crask the team were up and out by 0700 to get back on the road. First, Henry Snell took the team about 3 hours south to the Inver Hotel where his parents Sue and Chris Snell very kindly cooked the team a delicious brunch. The team were at the hotel just over a month ago during week 2 of the Mission when they stayed a night during one of the toughest parts of the Mission. Tom and Alex were therefore very satisfied to be sitting down to a delicious cooked breakfast knowing that they had now completed all 283 Munros within the 49 day target!

Next was a stop at the BLESMA care home in Crieff for a lovely lunch. Last week Hazel, the manager at the home very kindly sent the team a wonderful goody box containing hand knitted socks, and lots of chocolate and sweets to keep the team going up the final few Munros. Ceri, Tom, Rachel, James and Lucy then went on to visit Jimmy Sinclair the oldest surviving Desert Rat at his home in Kirkcaldy. Jimmy is 'only 99 years old' and was so inspiring to talk to. He told all kinds of stories and showed pictures of when he was a Desert Rat. He has also written some wonderful poems including one entitled 'Afghanistan'.

After a wonderful afternoon everyone headed back to Edinburgh for a massive kit sort ready for the long drive back down to Exeter the next day. The vehicles were emptied, the kit was cleaned, sorted and packed and everything was reunited with its rightful owner...apart from a lot of odd socks! The team ended a wonderful day at Rupert's house for a delicious supper and a final send off.

Day 49 - The FINAL Munros

Sunday 18th September

The DecAid Munro Mission team and supporters on the way back down Ben Hope; the last Munro on the DecAid Munro Mission

48 days...6 hours...56 minutes - The Munro Mission is complete! Tom O'Connell (24) and Alex Robinson (21) have climbed all 283 Scottish Munros in just 49 days with absolutely no motorised transport.

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.

At exactly 1530 on Sunday the 18th of September, Tom, Alex, Ceri, Jo, Alice, Lewis, Tom Elliott, Rachel Mander, Nick Cheshire, Gerry Lakey, Lucy and Becky reached joined everyone else on the summit of Ben Hope, the 283rd Munro to be climbed during The Mission. It was an incredibly special moment and those already on the summit applauded as the team approached the cairn. Tom and Alex placed their posies on the top of the cairn of Ben Hope, which had been dedicated to all future casualties of the conflict in Afghanistan. Various photos were taken in the mist as can be seen below.

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

Day 48

Saturday, 17th September 2011.

Starting at 10am felt like a massive lie in for the team, who have been getting up at 4am most mornings this week. The support team had cycled in the bikes to the camp so Alex and Tom could begin their penultimate day promptly.

After bacon rolls, courtesy of the EUOTC Training Major, Gerry Lakey, the boys commenced a very long road bike north towards Inchnadamph.

They climbed 2 Munros - Ben More Assynt and Convial - both dedicated to the SAS and sponsored by Lieutenant Colonel Simon Brewis. This included a very craggy and long ridge walk, but Tom and Alex were joined by Henry Snell, Lucy, James Fish and Nick which helped to keep them motivated.

In the afternoon, Tom and Alex embarked on a 74km cycle to the foot of Ben Kilbreck – tomorrow’s penultimate Munro – where a camp was ready to provide some shelter in the pouring rain.

End of Day 4 - 281 Munros climbed

Day 47

Friday 16th September 2011

The team are in really good spirits – knowing that they are only two days from finishing is a huge boost, but they can’t imagine how they are going to settle back in to normal life!

Tom and Alex were joined on their 6 Munro climbs by Becky, Nick Cheshire and Lucy. It was really wet and windy but good paths meant that, to the surprise of the support team, they arrived 15 minutes ahead of schedule.

They were greeted at the camp by their ever expanding ‘support team family’, which tonight included Tom Elliot and James Fish.

Day 46 – Dinner for two?

Thursday, 15th September 2011

The team have been pushing themselves really hard in this final week - 4am starts are starting to seem normal - but Alex and Tom remain determined as ever.

On Thursday, the team climbed 7 Munros.

If that wasn’t tiring enough, there was a 25km cycle at the end of the day.

Earlier in the day, the support team had met Andrew Mathefon and his son Alex. They welcomed everyone to their farmhouse where they could dry their boots on the AGA, have a warm shower, and do some washing. This was such a luxury after spending the last 5 nights in wild camps!

The Mathefon’s kindness didn’t stop there! Alex Mathefon runs an food export business, and asked the Munro Mission team to be the face of a new cereal snack. Lots of pictures were taken, while Alex M stocked the team up with food.

In the evening, members of the support team hosted a reception at the Ben Wyvis Hotel, located just outside of Inverness. Guests included Nite Watches, local landowners and bereaved families.

A wild camp was set up at the foot of Ben Wyvis. Lewis didn’t want Alex and Tom to feel left out as the support team enjoyed the reception, so he set up a dining table for the boys to welcome them after their long cycle!

End of Day 4

Day 45 – In honour of the Royal Engineers

Wednesday, 14^th September 2011.

The boys were allowed to leave a bit later at 0940 as they only got to sleep at 0400! The support team observed that they were not in a good way this morning; understandably they were absolutely shattered and anxious of the day ahead.

It was meant to be a shorter day but they didn’t get in until 1230, after climbing 9 Munros in honour of the Royal Engineers: A’ Chailleach, Sgurr Breac, Sgurr nan Each, Sgurr nan Clach Geala, Meal a’ Chrasgaidh, Sgurr Mor, Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich, Meall Gorm (kindly sponsored by Sir Hugh Stucley) and An Coileachan which was dedicated to Sgt Andrew James Jones, and sponsored by Foot Anstey.

When they returned, Tom and Alex were in really good spirits, to the surprise and admiration of the support team!! They were graced with amazing views all day and better weather.

The Commanding Officer of Exeter University OTC (EUOTC), Lieutenant Colonel Nick Cheshire, Lucy and Henry Snell set up a wild camp on the saddle of a hill. Nick put out a line of glow sticks to point the boys in the right direction as they were coming down the hill. They were later joined by Gerry Lakey, the Training Major at EUOTC.

The whole team then settled down to a wonderful beef stew courtesy of Ceri’s wife Jo – it is really great to have expanded the support team and for the boys to have such great company cheering them for the last few days of the mission.

End of Day 45 – 271 Munros completed. As the team climb the final 12 Munros in Scotland, please show your support by encouraging donations to http://www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/decaidmunromission

Day 44 – 24 gruelling hours

Tuesday 13^th September 2011

Tuesday was a really tough day for the team; the climbs were exhausting and they suffered a few frustrating set-backs. Even though Tom and Alex are only 5 days away from finishing, it is days such as these where the ambitiousness of the challenge manifests itself.

It was a five hour walk between the first two Munros, Slioch and Beinn Tarsuinn which were both dedicated to the Royal Military Police. Their progress was slowed down by lots of big river crossings as the burns were so swollen.

The support team recced a big river crossing near the wild camp and decided that it was far too dangerous to attempt; Becky tried to go across using a rope but there were far too many under currents to stay standing up. The team had to walk 6 km up to the Loch to cross over the river. Alex and Tom came back to camp at 0230 after a 24 hour day very delirious and exhausted.

Becky and her sister Katie went to meet team whilst Lucy and Lewis cooked supper. When Tom and Alex got back, the whole support team helped them to get themselves and their kit dry.
Tom said it was “one of the hardest days we have ever had”; the wind and rain was relentless.

They were really grateful to have Steve, an outdoor instructor, with them on such a tough day. Yet, despite such a testing day, Tom and Alex remained focused, and completed a further 7 scheduled Munros!

Sgurr Ban and Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair, both dedicated to the Royal Military Police, the latter of which was sponsored by Nick Cheshire.

They powered on to climb 5 Munros in honour of the Royal Engineers: Beinn a’ Chlaidheimh, A’ Mhaighdean, Ruadh Stac Mor, Sgurr Fiona (An Teallach), sponsored by Anthony Laing and Bidein a’ Ghlas Thuill

The boys have put themselves under enormous pressure, but are driven by their sense of indebtedness to those who have made far greater sacrifices while serving in Afghanistan over the last 10 years. We all need to give support to British Forces and their families. All money raised will go directly to service charities SAAFA Forces Help and BLESMA. Please encourage donations to: http://www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/decaidmunromission

End of Day 44: 262 Munros completed.

Blog update imminent!

Sorry for the delay in updating the blog - the team are in a wildcamp and currently have no signal to send their report. Also, the tracker doesn't seem to be working, but they are still all fine! The blog will be updated ASAP...watch this space!

Day 43 – the team are uplifted by visitors

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.