Ben More (mull) epic compleation

[mr_mrsH]

Yes I know what you're thinking, Ben More epic? but then again most people don't take a 79 year old and a 72 year who has had a hip replacement on a day of high winds and rain but after the summer and getting down to our last Munro word was put out to friends and family asking if they would like to join us.

In the end only a few of Mrs H's family attended, mum, dad, aunt Sally and uncles Bob and Chris plus sister Nicola and brother in law Chris, with just Dad John 79 and uncle Chris deciding to climb with us.

We got to Mull on Sunday 6th to fine weather, that was last of the fine weather we were to see! we were at Pennygown campsite along with Mrs H's sister and husband, unfortunately they had to leave on the Tuesday due to their awning being blown down and there trailer tent taking a battering.

Thurday was looking to be the best worst day so it was decided we would meet up at 9am at Dhiseig with the weather not bad at this time with just a covering of cloud on the summit

view from car park

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And so we set off

John 79, making his way up

still looking slightly promising

incoming squall

The initial ascent was easy going and we made good time.

Uncle Chris, John 79 and MrsH on the lower slopes

Next obstacle was crossing the Abhainn Dhiseig with Uncle Chris saying "leave this to the angler" as he does, or has in the past done a lot of fishing. we found a spot and we all got safely across, and on we went, further up we came to a level part of the river which would be a good crossing point on the way back, or so we thought!
shortly after crossing we came to the first of the cairns marking the way.

looking back after the crossing

Uncle Chris admiring? the cairn

We continued on up and up, after nearly 4 hours we were finally reaching the top.

Uncle Chris, Mrs H and John, 79 approaching the top

at the top with John79 not looking to happy in the back ground

at the top

me, John79, MrsH and Uncle Chris

at the top in 4hrs, it was at this point that rain started so we didn't hang around very long, just enough time for a quick bite to eat and for Mrs H to facetime a couple of people and a small glass of champagne each which was shared with another couple that appeared at the summit shortly after we did.

the opening of the champagne

Now for the downward journey and the start of the epic portion, no photos of this rain kept cameras etc packed away, rain was diagonal and being driven on by a strong wind (30-40mph) and was stinging any bare skin.
About a third of the way down Uncle Chris twisted his knee and reduced his speed considerably, MrsH and John79 were ahead of us at this point and i pointed out to her that he was not in a good way, we all got back together and made our way down to the point where we were going to cross the river to find that it was a raging torrent and there was no way we were crossing here, or anywhere else, I decided after a quick look at the map that we should stay on this side and continue to make our way down on this side of the river as it would come at about the same place.

About 2 thirds of the way down it was decide that i should take John79 down and then come back and help MrsH get Uncle Chris down, once down far enough to see the road and car park, I pointed out to John79 that he should make his way down to the gate let everyone know that we were ok but that it could be another hour before we got down and that he should get himself back to where they were staying to get warm, meanwhile I made my way back up to see how they were getting on, meanwhile MrsH had been able to get in contact with Uncle Bob to let them know that we were making our way down on the right hand side of the river.
Once we were at the point where i'd left John79 I made my way down to the bottom to check out the best route for Uncle Chris(avoiding steep parts) and also to assure are welcoming party that we on our way and shouldn't be much longer.

Progress was slow with Uncle Chris grimacing with the pain in his knee but he was determined to make it down and wanted us to go ahead so that we finished together, we assured him that we would but closer to the bottom, he then stopped and signalled to Sally and Bob to get something out of the car which they did, it was a congratulatory banner for us.

us finishing

us with Uncle Chris at the bottom

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Uncle Chris thought he had spoilt our last Munro but in effect he had in fact made it all the more memorable because otherwise it would have just been a up and down trip with no drama, there were times on the way down that we seriously thought about phoning for mountain rescue but thankfully it didn't come to that.

Our first Munro was on the 15th of August 2010 and since then we've gotten lost, fallen over/into rivers, met a lot of fellow walkers, who mostly always stopped to chat, fallen out with each other and been through all weathers from snow and ice to heatwaves, and although we won't be doing all the Munros again we will continue to get out to the hills whenever we can.

Mrs H : At the beginning of our journey I was not bothered about climbing them all as I found it quite a chore. But as we began to tick them of I couldn't wait until we did our next one and the views we saw changed my mind and I became a Munro bagger and was determined to finish them all. I was spurred on by my family and friends asking us how many more we had left and willing us to finish. Along the way there where times when I was worried, scared and frightened that we wouldn't get down. But each time I felt like this Mr H got us down safely and had every faith in me that I could do it. It has been such a memorable journey and as we pass the munro's in our van we remember adventures we had. Even though we have now finished I can't wait until we climb some of the ones where we didn't see the views when we reached the summit. Thanks Mr H for this epic journery and many more to come.

[rockhopper]

First of all - congratulations to both of you
That was a bit of an epic but, as you say, it will be all the more memorable ! The problems of setting a date in advance for the last one .....Glad you all made it down and enjoyed it in the end. Thanks

[mrssanta]

Well done you.

[Fishthebish]

I was pleased and grateful to be part of your last Munro but I don't think I'll be repeating the experience anytime soon. Having climbed Ben More I am even more in awe of your achievements. Think I'll stick to Suffolk hills for a while.

[olliebabe]

Congratulations both!

I'm heading to Mull in a couple of weeks so expecting the weather not to be great. We've done a couple of Munros in previous years, but this will be the first in over a year for us both. Is it a relatively clear route and easy enough to get up and down (apart from the small leap over the torrential river!)?

Any tips would be appreciated, I want to make the most of our trip to Mull with a good climb!

Thanks!

[apollo0815]

Congrats!
But I never know why people have that weather problem on Mull.
Whenever I have been there( start of May usually) Ben More looked like this:

[Huff_n_Puff]

Congratulations to everyone in the party, I really felt for you there. (Ben More was where I discovered that if you come down a scree slope into strong wind it actually help you keep your balance )

Good to see what grim determination can achieve