JON BARNES’ MUNRO COMPLEATION

28th JUNE 2003: SGURR MOR, GLEN KINGIE

Jon’s long-awaited Final Munro day took place as he had scheduled a few weeks previously, in spite of some problems with examination marking interfering with the collecting of some of the other summits needing visiting first. Twelve people had arranged to assemble at Expedition Base, the Alex MacIntyre Memorial Hut at North Ballachulish, namely Jon and Andrew Barnes, David Foster, Lena Hassett, Ian Macnab, Tim Mason, John McPartlin, Henry Perfect, Alan Stevens, Caroline Thompson, and two other friends of Jon’s, Kath Kirk and Andrew McPherson. The Farrows made a late addition to the party, having decided that the household chores waiting from the previous weekend, when they had been at Inverey, could wait another day. Colin and Monica, accompanied by Malcolm, made a full complement for the hut.

Henry had already been in action, doing Sgurr nan Coireachan and Sgurr Thuilm from Glenfinnan, quite a tough day even in good conditions. Unfortunately, Friday had been very wet, and Henry bore the glazed expression of one who had been through hell and was still wondering why. However, the hut’s drying room saw that he was set up for the important day.

Discussion soon turned to the subject of a suitable starting time. The essential was to be back in time for dinner at the Onich Hotel, with ordering at 8:45 pm at the latest. Ian claimed to have done Sgurr Mor, driving from the Bridge of Orchy ski lodge, with eight hours walking, and with three hours’ driving, 8 am should be early enough. A mixture of scepticism about a large party’s speed and the "just in case" principle over-ruled this, and 7 am was agreed. With alarms set for 6 am, most people made up their lunches for the next day before retiring.

The last of the four cars bound for Loch Arkaig actually set off at 7:16. I know that because I was in it. Part of the delay was caused by Jon searching for his lunch, which had disappeared from the kitchen table. Eventually he stuffed some spare food into his rucksack and left, looking puzzled. This mystery had still not been solved the next morning.

No one was sick on the Loch Arkaig road, and although there was solid cloud cover about halfway up the hills, it was not raining, and the party set off in high spirits just before 9 am. It must be admitted that to start with there was a relaxed attitude to pace, and three hours had passed when we reached the stalkers’ path in Glen Kingie. This path is longer than a direct ascent of the hillside, but it is a delight to follow its skilfully constructed route zigzagging along natural ramps and ledges. It disappears occasionally in soft ground high up, but goes right to the summit of Sgurr Beag.

There were a couple of showers as we approached the summit of Sgurr Mor, but it was dry for the Compleation occasion. After the traditional finish through the pole tunnel we were treated to a short speech by the hero of the day, a tale from John McPartlin, and sweets and cakes washed down with three bottles of champagne. The photographers did their best in the dull conditions, and we hope to see the results in the logbook.

There was some discussion about who had taken the longest for a Munro round, Jon spending 42 years 8 months from his first in November 1960. However, after checking information supplied to me for the Anniversary Book, I can confirm that the title of Glenmore Club Slowest Munroist is held by Ian Macnab, who took 42 years 11 months to walk from Ben Lomond to White Mounth, while handicapped by many interruptions having to travel to home and work in Bolton!

Now about 2:40 pm, time was definitely pressing. Nevertheless, a hardy half-dozen included the Corbett Sgurr an Fhuarain in the return trip, and were rewarded with a clear view from the top. Eventually a scattered party trickled back to the head of Loch Arkaig. While we were heading back to the hut, the clouds miraculously cleared to finish the day with a beautiful evening. John McPartlin and Lena could relax as they had to go home, but the last ones back had ten minutes to get ready for dinner before leaving for the Onich Hotel, where we assembled at 8:45 exactly. The menu for the meal offered limited choice, but the food was of excellent quality, and all had a very enjoyable evening.

It was still fine and sunny on Sunday, but getting up was naturally a more leisurely activity than the previous morning. As already arranged, Henry and I set off for Gulvain, leaving others wondering what to do with the unexpected weather bonus. Ian, not yet ready, was thinking of trying to catch up with us, and we knew Monica would have liked to climb Gulvain, to restore Munro count parity with Colin, who had got a new one on Sgurr Mor. Part way up the mountain we saw a party of four half an hour behind us, and I jokingly said "must be Ian and the Farrows!" Guess whom we met as we started down! Those domestic chores were no match for a brilliant day of clear skies, blazing sun and a refreshing cool breeze. It later turned out that northwest Scotland had had much the best of the UK weather.

Our thanks go to Jon for organising the meet, and the meal out, which we recommend as a fine way to end a compleation day. But it would be easier if the final summit were a bit more accessible! Also, of course, our congratulations on determinedly finishing a long project that for him had been harder than for many of us who were able and willing to devote more time and energy to the quest. But when Jon had time to reflect and the champagne and wine cleared, there would be a deep satisfaction on a long journey safely completed. The same is true for others who through choice or circumstances spend most of their hill-walking lives climbing the Munros, and we look forward to the big days for some other members now getting close to that point.

David Foster