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Inaccessible Pinnacle .....well not much to say really but the title - Innaccessible Pinnacle should have really gave me a clue !
The day started off relatively nice with the 6 of us and our lovely guide Gillian for the day as we approached, it was getting drearyier, and dreicher. Jim , Murray and i decided to go last. and do it togethhhher
So after 45 mins of sitting under a storm shelter with 2 strapping men , freezing my buns off , playing eye spy (think it was an unconscious distraction) it was our turn.
Well all i can say was it was a lot bloody worse than i expected ! The little practice run down in Inverkeithing had done nothing to prepare me for what was in store. The weather was miserable and you could see heeho (probably best if i could have seen the true extent of what i was actually doing i would probably still be up there clinging on for dear life ). I went first with Murray and Jim behind, all was going pretty well till about half way up the first section. Then stale mate ....i could not find a foot hold at all , panic set in and i thought how the hell am i suppose to get up here ?
After stepping on Murrays fingers and some words of encouragement i just kinda closed my eyes curled me toe on a lip and prayed .....hey presto .
The rest was not too bad
Abseil i found it difficult to trust at first and was actually pulling on the rope which did not help matters (apparently a common occurrence) but once i got off the initial lip i was fine .
Although when i hit ground i did think my knuckles were sore for some reason . Later on my knuckles looked like i had went 10 rounds with Tyson and he had head butted my thigh !!
On reflection i realised whilst abseiling over the intial lip i had banged into the rock or rather my knuckles had and my left thigh . Strangely enough It was quite satisfying having some war wounds for my troubles.
It was an experience i shall not forget in a hurry and doubt very much i would do it again !
Although i would go up on a nicer day to watch others and take in the views (which we seen none of).
There was some chest puffing when we got back to the pub that evening as Jhonna (rather hardy,hunky, serious bar tender /mountain leader ) , who was up there at the same time, congratulated us on our achievement as the weather was shady and proceeded to explain there were growing men who crapped out that day . So with a combination of war wounds , appreciation and alcohol i was feeling rather pleased with myself.
After that we proceeded onto Banachdich which was a rather easy top and the sun came out as we were making our way back down to the car park.
What a day .
Don't want to put people off but i feel honesty is the best policy especially for the Pinnacle.
It's not for the faint hearted and possible i had led myself into a false sense of security by visiting the climbing centre, once! and a wee practice abseiling down a friendly cliff......once!. Although i do think the practice abseil (cheers Steve) did make the real abseil not that unknown to me which i do think helped ....i think !
If you have long legs you might be at a slight advantage in that you won't find the section i got stuck on that big an issue as you will probably be able to find a more suitable foot hold further up (which were just unreachable for me ...that's my excuse anyway
)
Pictures ??? we might have a couple representing a few blobs in the mist, will post them up if there is anything worth posting .
Hope this helps and does not put people off
Have fun and stay safe xx
