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The first 2010 successful completions of the Ramsay Round have just been done this weekend in two separate attempts. :thumbup:
Congratulations to Bruce Poll and Alan Smith who got around in 22:47 on Saturday also Jon Gay and Peter Duggan who did 23:07? and 23:50 on Sunday.
Well done to all
Now all you've got to do is write up a good report for us :D
Congratulations to all. Were they supported? cw? ccw?Quote:
Originally Posted by Baggins
ydt
Jon and Peter were supported though Jon was Petes support on the first leg then carried on.
They went anti clockwise.
Not sure about Bruce and Alan I suspect Peter might post more when he's come round :)
Bill, "You know that you want to????":)Quote:
Originally Posted by Baggins
Ian.
I'm a bit more respectful of Scottish weather, I'll keep reminding myself 50-60mph winds is not a good forecast :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by wheezing donkey
Should have listened to young Ben :wink:
Good write up here of Pete's Ramsay Round
Bill, take note of the Sgurr Eilde Mor descent along the NE ridge to Luibeilt. I went up that way in my cw round and now fancy a second solo completion ccw (probably next year). The ridge is much better than the dreaded track and steep slope.Quote:
Originally Posted by Baggins
Yiannis
Thanks for raising this here, Bill, because I wasn't sure I wanted to having only just registered the other day! Jon's time confirmed at 23:07.Quote:
Originally Posted by Baggins
Didn't know if these were the first completions of 2010, but will be delighted if they are because I think that should get me onto the list at #59.
Bruce and Alan also went anti-clockwise, but actually finished on Friday. Think they were basically self-contained, but *might* (not sure) have been met at Loch Treig (Bruce had asked Jon to do this before realising that he'd be on his way with me so soon afterwards). Alan was apparently then intending to head for Snowdon, but sensibly changed his mind!Quote:
Originally Posted by Baggins
To everyone here, must just say that Bill/Baggins has been very helpful to me since discovering my blog recently and I sincerely hope he gets his round next time!
@Yiannis, we tried your Devil's Ridge traverse and some of your other shortcuts, but preferred to go over most things in the end!
That's interesting Yiannis. I had looked on the map at that route, to go up the ridge on a CW round. It looks so much shorter. I'd wanted to have a look at it if I ever had time, but not got the chance.Quote:
Originally Posted by ydt
But the vast majority of cw attempts go to the ruin and up from there, don't they?
(The other Bill!)
Charlie told me a few weeks back that no one had been round this year so a good chance that these will be the first.Quote:
Originally Posted by petestack
I don't think I'll have time to check it out and it'll be at night :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by ydt
Is it just tussocky or are there ditches as well?
I know the ridge itself is great but never been up from that side
So, the walk-in support is now extended to Luibelt?? Might be as well going in from the Glen Nevis road head??:thumbup::confused:
That ground on the lead up to the ridge looks like it could be rough. I think the longer route staying on the good track longer; will more than make up for the subsequent steep ascent. The ruins are also a much easier support point. Not an issue for you on a solo though Yiannis. I suspect running down that way CCW would be a good option on a solo CCW round. Not on a supported CW round (Bill and Caz, Chris?) though.
Another report (from a supporter's perspective) by Gav now up at http://gavsultras.blogspot.com/2010/...e-does-it.html (not my title!).Quote:
Originally Posted by Baggins
Also, yes, Charlie thinks these are the first completions of 2010, so that puts us at 56 to 59 as well as 9 to 12 anti-clockwise (first that way since John Fleetwood in 2003)!
Re. Sgurr Eilde Mor, the top part of that NE ridge (down to where we turned east) is fantastically fast and runnable, then the lower slopes towards Luibeilt a bit bumpier and wetter but still very good going. Anti-clockwise (where a direct descent to Locheilt Lodge would be purgatory) there's absolutely no contest, but think I'd probably join Yiannis in choosing it clockwise too.
PS (@Baggins), think you might recognise condensed versions of some of your annotations to alternative routes on the map that Gav's got up (which is an early draft of our team map)!
I know exactly what Gav means about not looking after yourself while supporting :D
Could you send me your route over that section (or recommended route for ascent) so I could look at it in more detail.Quote:
Sgurr Eilde Mor, the top part of that NE ridge (down to where we turned east) is fantastically fast and runnable, then the lower slopes towards Luibeilt a bit bumpier and wetter but still very good going. Anti-clockwise (where a direct descent to Locheilt Lodge would be purgatory) there's absolutely no contest, but think I'd probably join Yiannis in choosing it clockwise too.
I'd be heading for the bridge over the track at 265 687 as I'd be following the line of the old fence.
Hi Bill, just emailed you, so hope my maps don't choke up your inbox (any problems, let me know and I'll stick them somewhere for you to download)...
Think you'll find the bridge you want is at 265 677, however!
Cheers
P
Thanks PeteQuote:
Originally Posted by petestack
I was using an online map and couldn't zoom in :D
Well done to all of you 56 to 59. Great result.
Bill I have emailed you some info re: direct ascent. If I was to do it again cw I would still go the same way. The support team need a bit more exercise and coming up from Glen Nevis is so scenic! Besides, they can stay in the bothy and later move on to the path before Stob Ban and offer more support.
Yiannis
Task Master! I'll probably end up buying a MSR Pocket Rocket if we need to prepare 2 lots of food in Meanach Bothy; doubt that Wynnie will be up for the walk-in!!Quote:
Originally Posted by ydt
Pete and Yiannis,Quote:
Originally Posted by ydt
Please can you email that map and info to me as well: Bill at cvfr.co.uk
Anne and I are hoping for an injury free spell for 2011...
Thanks, Bill
Done, and hope it helps!Quote:
Originally Posted by BillJ
P
[QUOTE=wheezing donkey;351027[I]]......"doubt that Wynnie will be up for the walk-in!!"[/[/I]QUOTE]
Ian, I dare you to suggest that to her!
Yiannis
[QUOTE=ydt;351031]Not without a tin-hat and bullet-proof vest!!Quote:
Originally Posted by wheezing donkey;351027[I
I just completed a Ramsay round in a short weather window on the 24th/25th August. I went solo clockwise with a stash of food and headtorch left in a mouse and boar resistant tin at Fersit. I followed a version of Nicky Spinks' 22.30 schedule, which I hit pretty much spot on in the daylight hours. There was a bit of a hiccough coming down to Fersit, however, when I discovered that I had grossly overestimated daylight times, and instead of dropping down via the pillar, I had to make an emergency direct descent in the dark from the bottom of Meall Cian Dearg to the track at 342764 which I could just make out in the dusk. This was not a good route, not least because of the cliffs in the way!
I lost an hour in the dark, mainly trying to find a decent line up Sgriodain, which was in moon shadow, and Sgurr Eilde Mor, where I followed the direct line, but found the moor to the ridge soul destroying, with complex navigation, deep heather and false summits. The night was cold, with a blustery NW wind, and although there was a full moon, it was mainly in cloud. It was misty on Sgriodain and the awkward rocky knolls, but cleared for the descent off Chno Dearg. Beinn na Lap was cloud covered, and surprisingly hard to get off. I certainly missed the fastest lines.
Water for drinking was not a problem, but I had a struggle crossing the Abhainn Rath, and ended up jumping a narrowish channel at 273681, into water that I could see the bottom of with my head torch. It turned out to be waist deep, but gave me access to a shingle bank where I could cross. All very thought provoking at that time of the morning. Having heard the waterfalls further down the river I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to cross at all. The path down the river was very wet and hard going, but I suspect that is always the case.
The Mamores were uneventful, with some nice weather and decent visibility. I lost a bit of time, but wasn't brave enough to try the Devil's ridge shortcut, mainly because I thought the steep descent would destroy what was left of my legs. I got to Mullach nan Coireann at 12.19, so felt confident for a gentle finish, only to discover that forestry work had closed the normal access, so rather than risk being turned back I followed the horribly steep descent down to the East from the fence corner at 132671, and through the bogs to the track, where a steady trot brought me home for a 23.51 finish. I religiously took splits all the way round, only to discover that the first 18 lap times have disappeared from my watch.
I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, although the sleepmonsters were a bit weird. I started to imagine people on the hills from Binnein Beag onwards, and by the end my eating and drinking selves had become separate from myself: the drinking "me" was called John. With hindsight the promise of a full moon was barely enough to make up for the extended hours of darkness, and I was very glad to have recce'd the Treig munros. Aonach Beag, Sgurr Eilde Mor and Binnean Beag were new hills for me, so that was nice, too.
Mark Higginbottom
well done to keep going given your self reliance and les than perfect conditions. sounds like a memorable day out
Quote:
Originally Posted by dmhigg
Well done Mark, great achievement.
Yiannis
PS: The ridge ascent to Sgurr Eilde Mor needs recceing beforehand. I much prefer it to the alternative. Supporting an attempt last w/e in a dark/rainy night we did it in 1:30.
Well done Mark
If you were doing Nicky's schedule you going well. esp carrying enough food for your self.
Congrats, Mark!Quote:
Originally Posted by dmhigg
Nice 'in' joke. :)Quote:
boar resistant tin
It's so easy to be apparently cruising to 22 or 23 hours and then blow your margin like this (been there, done that, got the T-shirt!)...Quote:
I lost an hour in the dark, mainly trying to find a decent line up Sgriodain, which was in moon shadow, and Sgurr Eilde Mor, where I followed the direct line, but found the moor to the ridge soul destroying, with complex navigation, deep heather and false summits. The night was cold, with a blustery NW wind, and although there was a full moon, it was mainly in cloud. It was misty on Sgriodain and the awkward rocky knolls, but cleared for the descent off Chno Dearg. Beinn na Lap was cloud covered, and surprisingly hard to get off. I certainly missed the fastest lines.
Would have warned you if I'd known you were going for it!Quote:
only to discover that forestry work had closed the normal access
Well done again
P
Thanks for your kind words.
The sections from Aonach Mor to Sgurr Choinnich Mor, and Treig to Binnein Mor were the only ones I didn't know, so I was relying on a bit of good fortune (and tips gleaned from this forum). I've just worked out why I struggled to get a good compass bearing standing on the (metal) bridge before starting up Sgurr Eilde Mor!
If I do another of these, I'd like some company and Summer time.