Ben Starav

[ALANREIDHILLS]

Set off from camp spot in Glen Etive near road end from Coileitir at 9.30am. Ascended by NE ridge. Cloud descending rapidly. (did 3000' in 1.5 hours last night on Bidean with Brian, getting to bed at midnight and sleeping very little)
Just over halfway up, the cloud reached us and I began to feel very tired. A mile long ridge which looked fairly level on the map, was steep enough to give us bother. Last 500 feet felt like sheer murder. Large scree, knees shaking uncontrollably, gale force wind whistling up the gullies ( actually helped, gulped in like water), bitter cold, visibility 10 yards. Collapsed for the last time I thought; felt it impossible that I could go on; no idea how far to go; gradient very steep. A shout from Alan Hutton heralded the summit 10 yards away. Scrambled up and collapsed again, feeling much better. My resolution to give up climbing, which I made 500 feet below, was changed to the opposite!
Rain to hail. visibility 5 yards...lost...inclined to go SW instead of SE. 30 mins, 1000' lower and 10 gallons of water each, the mist cleared a bit and we could see that we had found the correct glen. Reached camp somewhat drier at 5pm. Ate and played 'solo' until 10 then slept, rain pouring all the time.
Packed up and hitched home next day.