Saturday 10 May 2014

Mammores are just a memory

Another long day done - it took Dan and Mark Roberts (with Graham Patten until lunchtime) about 11 hours to summit the 11 hills. At the end of a day of mixed weather the sun broke through the cloud to give the boys a real sense of achievement. As I write Mark Roberts is driving home to Kendal after completing 28 Munros in 3 days (!), and Dan accompanied by Aled Butler is cycling north to Glenfinnan.

Graham is motoring to meet them in the van and then today will be done. Food. (A pint?). Bed. And the Great Glen is crossed, a north/south divide, you might say, has been breached, another benchmark complete in this awesome challenge.

Tomorrow is a mixed day with only 5 hills but a significant amount of cycling, mainly on the road but some of it off it, to get between them. But ahead are more names and areas of country synonymous with adventure and the wilds of Scotland; Knoydart, Skye and the Cuillin Ridge.

All will be delighted to hear that the ankle is definitely on the mend and not really causing Dan much pain. He's still working hard to look after it, to make sure it sees him through. Interestingly, as Dan's body is starting to cope well with the daily punishment it's receiving, it's his equipment that is struggling with the unrelenting daily pounding; collapsed footwear is the latest niggle. Don't worry, Graham has a plan.

So, currently Dan has Graham and Aled with him for support on the hill and managing the logistics of moving the van from place to place. In the days ahead Si Stainer and Chris Lumb arrive, and both Sue and Phil Clark. I laughed as Graham explained that people are keen to help where they can, to get out on the hill, to carry Dan's pack, or to accompany him on a bike, or even cook a meal in the motorhome, and that part of the joy of being involved is knowing that you're not the one that's actually having to do it, day in, day out. Keep it up Dux!

3 comments:

  1. Wow. "In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." ~ John Muir

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  2. “I am losing precious days. I am degenerating into a machine for making money. I am learning nothing in this trivial world of men. I must break away and get out into the mountains to learn the news.” ~ John Muir

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