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Thursday 14 May 2015
In Pinn
Awoke to a glorious morning, although I have to confess we were all a bit tired; well, Dave tried to look tired to make Neill and I feel better. Fuelled with porridge we set out for the Memorial Hut where we were to meet Paddy. By the time I had loaded a helmet, harness and then rope on to my pack it seemed weigh an awful lot – at least the rope did.
Up the path we went and I knew within 40 paces that this was probably going to be a day too far for me. My legs were tired from yesterday and were telling me that they were not keen on a 1000 m slog up and [worst still] down. Despite Neill taking over carrying the rope and Paddy’s encouragement by the time we reached Coire na Banachditch proper I had made my decision. ‘A man has to know his limitations’ and I do.
- Rhum
Paddy said that they now only needed one rope so Neill was relieved not to have to carry the second rope – he was also tired, but is gifted with a good deal more grit and determination than I. So, relieved and perfectly happy I ambled back down to the car with the prospect of a lazy day taking pictures. Paddy said they would be down at 4:00 pm at the earliest.
- Dave - Not far from the top of Sgùrr Dearg
- Looking west
- Looking north along the Cuillin ridge
- In Pinn from the north
- Neill starting up the first pitch
- A little bit further
- Nearing the top of the first pitch
- Almost there
- On the second pitch
- Neill at the top of the Inn Pinn
- Neill getting ready to abseil down
- Part-way down
- Safely down
- In Pinn from the south
At 4:30 pm they returned. Neill looked fairly cream-crackered, but had happy grin on his face – the boy done good as you will see from the pics. Dave decided that he didn’t want anything to do the Pinn, but as ever, looked as fresh as a daisy. Once supplied with that life restoring nectar – a celebratory beer – we bid our farewells to Paddy and drove back to Shorefield.
Showered and suited we dined out at the Old Inn, Carbost – a great meal and beer to match. We now know that it was Fife Flyer and friends at the table beside us – having the same trouble pronouncing the names of peaks. The subsequent accounts of their adventures have made great reading – glad I didn’t have to battle against the elements as they did.
- Our last look at the Cuillin
Friday 15 May 2015
We left Shorefield around 10:30 am just as it started to rain – the Cuillin looked angry once again and we wondered how Paddy’s new group would fare – we now know – a sterling effort I would say.
Had to drive Dave around to Dundonnell to rejoin his family and then get back to Fort William to catch the sleeper. Whilst passing through the Ben Eighe nature reserve by Loch Maree we got a fleeting glimpse of a pine martin as it shot across the road – brightened up what was a fairly wet and dismal day.
So that’s it, another year. If I live to about 150 I may get close to compleating, but who cares as we just feel lucky that we are able to do this each year.