60 years on

[past my sell by date]

In August 1957 on a family holiday I scrambled up the Cobbler and carried on to Ben Ime to bag my first Munro - though I wasn't aware of it's significance at the time. almost sixty years later accompanied by a stalwart band of 17 (mostly) septuagenarian friends and one dog I topped out on Sgurr a Mhaoraich to complete the Munros
As I have lived a lot of my adult life in the Lake District, I'm afraid there were no registered Walkhighlanders amongst them but a number of mountaineering clubs were represented together with a group of "Reluctant Ramblers" who normally expect a pub to be included on any walk they do Among the group were a number of universty colleagues who've had to put up with me for the longest, an old friend who'd come over specially from Vancouver, two friends of Donna from Linlithgow to represent Scotland, and Steve - A Chamonix guide who has taken me up a number of alpine routes - though not today in his official capacity - and his partner Anne

I had chosen this hill as I had hoped to hold the party afterwards at nearby Tomdoun. Sadly this excellent establishment closed a couple of years ago but Corriegour Lodge on Loch Lochy stepped into the breach and provided first class hospitality .
Not a lot to say about the climb - we followed the WH route to the summit and returned the same way. I am much more used to solitary ascents - this was the largest group I have ever walked with - and indeed it felt and I suspect looked - much more like a pilgrimage up mount Fuji or Croagh Patrick
The weather started clear and sunny with a pleasant westerly breeze but beyond the sub-summit of Sgurr Coire an Eiricheallach this strengthened becoming quite chilly and eventually necessitating a change from sun hat to balaclava. It was quite cold at the summit with patches of mist and unfortunately the grand views down Loch Hourn and out to the Islands were missing But it remained dry, everyone had a good day and there were no "accidents, injuries, alarms or excursions"

HERE ARE SOME OF THE PHOTOS

Looking up Loch Quoich from near the dam - Sgurr na Ciche is in cloud

Ready to start

With some of the Keswick Mountaineering club contingent

The deer that I had ordered appeared on cue and trotted across the horizon to signal the 10.00am start:lol:

The stalkers path is first rate, but I suspect its zig-zags play hell with Naismith calculations

On our way

First major halt at the top of the Bac nan Canaichean

Looking E into Glen Loyne with the Cluanie ridge beyond

Nigel explains his latest gadget to Steve and Anne

Off again

The final climb to the 841m sub-summit of Sgurr Coire an Eiricheallach

The traverse to the Munro

On the traverse

Near the end of the traverse before the final steep ramp, some very enticing flat rocks compelled a halt

Harvey is looking hopefully for a biscuit

On the ramp

SUMMIT PHOTOS

The entire group: Ailie is comfortable in a T- shirt - everyone else looks frozen

I suppose I had to have a couple on my own

A Keswick mountaineer in festive mood

with the Reluctant Ramblers

The eye of faith could detect Loch Hourn - but not much more

Looking back E across the traverse to Gleouraich and Spidian Mialach

It was pretty cold and miserable on top and the consensus was to descend the ramp and find a more sheltered spot for lunch

Lunch amongst the boulders

I even took my balaclava off. Given the dry state of the "bog" I would have descended directly from here but I was forbidden to leave the path - they all know me too well

back along the traverse

Dinner at Corriegour

[Alteknacker]

Brilliant! And what a great day you had for it - obviously you have good contacts with the met office/weather sibyls!

I too generally go for solo walks, but on an occasion like this, a group of friends is perfect....

[Coop]

Brilliant

I eyed up that today as I was on Spidean Mialach and Gleouraich. Fantastic views.

We'll in and we'll done to all your friends who accompanied you.

Things like this really put a smile on your face

[rockhopper]

Congratulations and well done all who went with you ! Great hill to pick and a cracking day for it too - cheers

[Cairngorm creeper]

Congratulations, and well done to all your companions. Looks like you had a superb day,

[Jaxter]

Congratulations

Not past your sell by date at all

Looks like you couldn't have picked a better day for it too, good stuff

[tweedledog]

Congratulations! Did my first 60 years ago also, though haven't completed the lot and not likely to do them now. So well done, from one septuagenarian to another.

[dogplodder]

A lovely hill and congratulations on keeping on keeping on over all these years!

[past my sell by date]

Thanks Everyone - Yes it was a very good day: I'm not sure how many of us would have made it had it been wet and windy. It's been a long but very enjoyable pilgrimage to complete the Munros, but taking so long I haven't done many in poor weather
I had some more good news recently. My Zermatt guide Klaus who took me up all the Swiss 4000nders summited Everest last weekend with his No.1 client Together they've now completed the seven highest peaks on the seven continents (Oceania the seventh). There'll be a big party in the Mattertal in July

[matt_outandabout]

Im hoping I have a good group of pals and legs to climb when I am your age too...

[Huff_n_Puff]

Congratulations - looks like a wonderful day. All strength to the septuagenarians

[Sunset tripper]

Congratulations. An epic journey.

[Grisu]

Just dicovered it - it looks like a happy day and a nice party -- congratulations!
Hope you are fine!

[Sgurr]

HOORAY I looked up to find out the name of the generation before the boomers (born 1946-64) and found that we are supposed to be "the silent generation". Anyway, I bet there wasn't much silence on that particular compleation. Can I add some noise? CONGRATULATIONS Wonderful to see so many of you youngsters up a hill.

[past my sell by date]

Just dicovered it - it looks like a happy day and a nice party -- congratulations!
Hope you are fine!

Thanks Grisu. you had a great Summer, but I doubt I will still be around when you compleat