Whatever happened to Ian Baker Finch ?

[magicdin]

Sunday 21/07/91
Old scanned photos so apologies for quality.


Clearing out cupboards this week and finding old photos prompted me to write this archival report from almost twenty years ago – July 1991 – one from the memory banks.
I was on my first round of Munros and daftly enough two hills I had left isolated were Aonach Mor and Stob Choire an Laoigh in the Grey Corries.
So I devised this route to take them in on the one day with the bonus of a number of subsidiary tops.
Drove up to Spean Bridge on the Saturday evening and after pint(s) in the Commando Bar took the car up past Corriechoile farm to the edge of the forest and a few hours kip.
Away at 5.30am on the Sunday along the line of the dismantled railway.
Twenty years ago but I can still remember that it was very warm even that early on.
The track took me quickly enough along to Allt Choimhlidh where I crossed by an old rickety lattice girder bridge (ignoring warning signs) – Indiana Jones style.
Not been back there since – wonder if bridge is still there?– doubt it
Up into Coire an Eoin as far as the dam where I had a break before the climb ahead.
Climbed up to the Tom na Sroine ridge and the top 918 m and then along a fine ridge to the next top Stob a Chul-Choire.
The climb from the col up to Aonach Mor was steep enough but nothing untoward.
Relaxed at the cairn in the warm sunshine for a wee while.

Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg

Mamores

It really was a great summers day for the hills – shorts and tee shirt weather – with a light cooling breeze on the tops.
Over to Aonach Beag and then along and out to bag the two tops.
After going out to Sgurr a’Bhuic I went back to col where I had left the rucsac.
From there I took a descending slanting line towards the bealach. I was a bit concerned about this part of the route but although it was a bit rough and loose in places it was not too bad. Did take it carefully mind you.

Dropping Down from Sgurr a'Bhuic

Looking back up

Over Sgurr Choinnich Beag and Mor and continued down to the wide Bealach Coire Easain. I had considered stopping here for a long break but the breeze had died at this point so decided to carry on up to the next top.
On the way up I met the only other walker I bumped into all day – he complained that he had been plagued by flies on Stob Coire Easain when he stopped for a lunch break.
Didn’t stop at this top but instead wandered out to Beinn na Socaich where I really did have to stop for a while for food and a rest. Fortunately this wee outlier was catching the breeze and it was a pleasure to lie for a while to recharge the batteries.
Cut across the slope of Stob Choire Easain and up to my second Munro bag of the day Stob Choire an Laoigh.
Some views back along to Ben Nevis

Look Back #1

Look Back #2

Look Back #3

Now for the last lap of the day - along the Grey Corries ridge towards Stob Choire Claurigh taking in the tops Caisteal, Stob Coire Cath na Sine, Stob a Choire Leith.

Jings it was hard work in the now very warm sunshine and a bit gruelling with the heat bouncing off the quartzite boulders.
I was starting to feel it now but plodded on now dreaming of that pint that was waiting at the end of the day.
Reached Stob Coire Claurigh in just over an hour from Stob Choire an Laoigh.
Didn’t hang about – over the north top and east to the col. Left my rucsac there for the short climb up to my final top of the day Stob Coire na Ceannain.
Back down for my rucsac – I really must have been tired now – As I shouldered it I lost my balance and fell back on my bahookie – Ouch !
Not too bad just a bit of a bruise – pride hurt a bit more.
I had thought of going back up to the north top and down the ridge towards the forest but the sound of the burn gurgling in the coire below drew me down that way.
Took it easy – steep slope and tired legs – no time to be daft about things
Coire was quite damp – took this photo of mosses at the burn

Ah but it was great to reach the wee lochan and stop for a cooling splash.
That refreshed me enough for the drop down to the Lairig Leacach and back down through the forest to the car.
Quick change and down to the hotel for a couple of pints – first one hardly touched the sides.


Just in time to see Ian Baker Finch lift the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale
Bet you were wondering about what the title was all about.

Sure was tanned that night

We all have days that just stick in the memory – this was one of them for me.

[Jock McJock]

Wow, that's a fair old round, nice one. And even though you scanned the pics they look good, kinda gives them a bit of character

[ChrisW]

Helluva walk, great report and the pics look cool..... kind of demonstrates their age whilst still capturing the shot - I like em

[malky_c]

I liked that - must've been a cracking day . Got the Grey Corries in my sights again this year hopefully. Funnily enough, this walk must have been within a few weeks of me doing my first Munro (I've no idea what the actual date was). I'd like to see more retrospective reports on WH - people must have the photos somewhere!

Afraid the golf references were completely lost on me though

[Sunset tripper]

Great scanned pics and great route. I have been thinking about that route up on to Aonach Mor myself. An unusual route but looks good.
As for the golf - I might take it up when I'm old enough.

[Gordie12]

He suffered from a complete loss of form/confidence and quit the game early (not sure but I think he may have had back problems as well). Despite winning the Open and all the great golf he played that year the one shot I remember him the most for was his tee shot to the 1st at St Andrews which he managed to knock out of bounds over the 18th fairway (which takes some doing).

Think he still works for CBS Sports.