With London 2012 just round the corner, twenty-eight would be Olympians took the team coach to Kintail.

First off the coach at Lundie, Rob Murray & Fiona Cunninghame were hoping for a good qualifying time back to the Cluanie Inn. Striking up over An Cruachan and onto Carn Ghluasaid they then tracked North-West over spot height 998 and ultimately up onto Sgurr nan Conbhairean. From this point our duo proceeded South-West towards Drochaid an Tuill Easaich and then dropped down to Bealach Choire a’ Chait. There followed a traverse onto the nose of A’ Chralaig and, in due course, back to the Cluanie Inn.

Bob MacDonald & Sheena Forsyth took on the four by two relay, tracking South from the A87 and following the ridge up to Maol Chinn-dearg. With soft snow under foot proving treacherous, they headed east to take in Aonach air Chrith, Druim Shionnach and finally Creag a’ Mhaim, before turning their attentions to a pint of beer at the Cluanie.

Modern day triathletes Maggie Duncan, Kate & David Whitelock, Rachael Higgins, Kenneth Bews and Ray Harron took in the Three Brothers. Dragging their bodies up to Bealach an Lapain, they followed the ridge over Saileag, Sgurr a’ Bhealaich Dheirg and Sgurr an Fhuarail, before crossing the line at the pub. Result. Modern day triathlons evidently consist of a red face, a discussion on sweeties and forcing alcoholic beverages between your lips.

Sandra Doull, Malcolm Campbell and Andy (Wednesday) Lawson struck up the Forcan Ridge. Wednesday managed to bag the Graham Biod an Fhithich en route but, with the snow making it increasingly difficult on the ridge, they made the decision to bail out east down a very steep corrie. Sandra was the first to try out her Luge skills, making a full hundred metres. Not to be outdone however, Malcolm shot into the lead, covering the 10-metre dash in a matter of seconds, before brakeman Andy brought him to a sudden and grinding halt with the help of his ice axe. Finally making the safe ground of Bealach Coire Mhalagain, Sandra retreated down to the glen while Malcolm and Andy continued up over Sgurr na Sgine.

Forcan Ridge

Also on the Forcan Ridge, Brian Fraser and Stewart Watson enjoyed their day together, taking in Spidean Dhomhuill Bhric and Sgurr Leac nan Each and finally back to Sheil Bridge.

Starting from the same drop off point, Brent Craig and Derrick Harman followed Allt Mhalagain track to Bealach Duibh Leac. From the bealach they struck South-West up the ridge onto Sgurr a’ Bhac Chaolais, before descending South-East and finally up onto Buidhe Beinn to be greeted with fabulous views down Loch Hourn.

Shane Younie had a great day climbing A’Ghlas Bheinn and Ben Fhada, taking a full seven hours due to soft snow.

Also on Ben Fhada, Greg Muir made the traverse from Morvich to the Cluanie Inn, taking in stunning views of the North Glen Shiel Ridge.

Bob Weeks, Pam & Julian Shaw took on the full might of Sgurr an Airgig. They had an excellent day in good company, with cracking views and perfect walking weather.

Our Chariots of Fire squad Jenny Graham, Katie Griffiths, Natacha Mihajlovic, Jeremy Thornhill and Tom Summerscales won seven gold medals apiece, completing the South Glen Shiel Ridge in eight and three quarter hours – a Titanic achievement given the depth of snow on the middle section of the ridge. They climbed the Munros Creag nan Damh, Sgurr an Lochain, Sgurr an Doire Leathain, Moal Chinn-dearg, Aonach Air Chirth, Druim Shionnach and Creag a’ Mhaim, involving an impressive 1818 metres of ascent.

Looking along South Glen Shiel Ridge

The day was completed in true Olympic spirit, with the quaffing of pints of beer and a warm welcome at the Cluanie Inn.

David Whitelock