''......on challenges met, competitors bested, obstacles overcome. I've accomplished more than most men, and without the use of my legs.''
-The Big Lebowski
Lydia at the end of day one, six Munros climbed and 16 hours after starting at 5:40 am ... Leon may have tried very, very hard to kill me, but I have lived to tell another tale, another day. The mountain forecast (and MET Office & BBC) on Friday night was showing two sunshines, very light wind and unlimited visibility for all of Saturday! Woo hoo! The day started well enough with a beautiful sunrise, but by 7:15 am the storm clouds had gathered, the fog rolled in and the rain began falling. We spent the next 9 or so hours trying to navigate in the foggy wetness, elusive peaks drifting in and out of view. Despite having a map and GPS, we climbed the second peak twice, after Leon took us down a ridge in the direction of the West Highland Way, needless to say the conversation was non-existent for an hour or so afterwards. It was very slow going, without the slightest bit of dry ground on which to perch and make peanut butter & jam sandwiches. Today, was going to be a damn, tough, brutal, bone-chilling day!
We managed to navigate our way slowly to the 6th terrifying sheer peak, and after a night of wild camping in Glen Nevis and the prospect of injury followed by a soggy, boggy evening in damp muddy clothes, I decided to take drastic action after the 6th peak and insist we de-camp to Kinlochleven, dry out and re-fuel for the final 4 peaks on Sunday. We didn't get back to the campsite in Glen Nevis until 8:30 pm and then had to race round the Mamore range to guarantee our bed for the evening, but it was so worth it (not that we could keep our eyes open.....) The prospect of re-ascent the following day was going to be very tough indeed.... Praise be the Mamore Lodge!
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