Turning point?

Through the late 80s and early 90s, progress was quiet on the Munro front. Family took precedence, so only a few expeditions per year.

Still, the tally kept rising, with at least 1 new Munro every year except 1988, 1990 and 1993. Even in these years, we weren't exactly flat-earthers: for example, in 1990, Anne and I escaped for our first weekend without children (courtesy of Granny and Grandpa), and did some hills in the Lake District, and in 1993, we climbed Ben More Mull again. In fact, this was Iain's first Munro (not counting being carried up Stuchd an Lochain on my back as a baby).

The turning point was probably August 27th 1998.

My colleague at Hawick High School, John Reed, invited me to join him (and a group of others) on his final Munro - The Saddle.

Here we are on the summit:

Cheese sandwiches and malt whisky - an interesting combination!

As you can see, the weather wasn't perfect, but we had a good time.

It happened to be my 85th Munro. "If John can do them all, maybe I could go for it?", I thought as we headed back to the Cluanie Inn afterwards.

The seed was sown, and the challenge was accepted!

Two more the next day (Beinn a'Chaorrainn and Beinn Teallach), after a night in Loch Lcohy Youth Hostel (where I was the only English speaker among a huge group of Eastern Europeans!).

Only 197 to go!

(written 14/08/09)