Walkhighlands’ columnist David Lintern and his friend David Hine are planning to walk and paddle from coast to coast, visiting the nine tallest mountains in the UK on the way, in aid of outdoor learning. They are calling the challenge C2C4K – coast to coast over the 4,000ft summits.
The two Davids will begin from the most westerly point of the UK, on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, paddle lochs and rivers, camp on islands and climb the nine highest mountains in the country before finishing at Spey Bay. They plan to use portable, inflatable boats – packrafts – and will take winter equipment for the mountains.
They are raising funds for the John Muir Award, a scheme that connects thousands of people every year with the outdoors. Both are members of the John Muir Trust, which runs the scheme to encourage people to enjoy nature and wild places, and take direct action to care for the environment.
David Lintern said ‘The Award is a real inspiration to both of us. It’s a great introduction to the outdoors for people regardless of age or background, it’s free to use and most importantly it works. Hundreds of thousands of people have achieved an award, and their volunteering on conservation projects is worth millions of pounds. It’s a positive and empowering means of change.
David Lintern on the Carn Mor Dearg arete
It also fits with the ethos of the Award to attempt something that pushes our personal boundaries in our own backyard. Our experiences in Scotland’s wild places have been key to our personal development. This isn’t a big challenge by TV standards, and bears no comparison to John Muir’s adventures, but it’ll be a big journey of discovery for us’.
There are nine mountains in the ‘4,000ft club’, which include the highest in the country – Ben Nevis (in the care of the John Muir Trust) – and 3 others in the Lochaber group near Fort William, and the second highest – Ben MacDui – and four more in the Cairngorm National Park.
The two begin their amphibious journey on the 9th May. The pair hope to raise £1,500 from outdoor enthusiasts; donations of all sizes are welcome at: https://www.givey.com/c2c4k
David Hine with packraft