Guides

munroist 284 2

22/05/2002 at 22:47

On a recent trip to Skye I heard the word "guide" mentioned on several occasions. This made me wonder how many compleat munroists there are who have used a guide & whether there should be a separate list for those who have.

neil rich

25/05/2002 at 11:37

I've done a few of my munros with my cousin and she did the navigating, does this mean that it was a lesser achievement?
As it happens she is a qualified guide so where does this leave me?
I've done most of my munros solo, should there be a list for solo compleaters, I've also done the majority in 'winter' so how about a seperate list for those?
where do you stop

Orange Alex Ford

25/05/2002 at 11:43

a separate list for the ones you've done wearing RED socks? how about a special list for the ones done on a wet Tuesday without a guide, in winter but with BLUE socks.

All this classification is a bit subjective, and not the least bit eletist, isn't it?

Surely if you've been to the top of a particular place with someone else navigating (I daren't say 'guiding') it's no less achievment than getting to the top on your own?

(Stands back as can of worms explodes open)

Ninja Marmot

25/05/2002 at 11:46

Separate list for girls?
List for under 18s?
List for doing it wearing a mediaeval helmet?
List for doing it accompanied by a dog under 4 years of age?

<more worms crawling out>

Dave O aka Jungle Dave ;)

25/05/2002 at 12:21

List for Students?
List for Teachers
List for Politicians?
<swamped by worms now>

Ninja Marmot

25/05/2002 at 15:59

Dave - you forgot the list for frogs and hamsters
LIS

Dave O aka Jungle Dave ;)

25/05/2002 at 17:48

oops silly me!
How about a list for Outdoor Journo's as well....
<even more worms>

munroist 284 2

26/05/2002 at 10:46

OK, OK - point taken but on a personal level if I hadn't been on the sharp end of the rope I couldn't count the In Pin as being done.

John Bailey

26/05/2002 at 10:51

It really would be sad if everyone had to walk on their own so that they weren't "cheating".

One of the best things about walking is walking with other people.

The achievement is getting to the top, as long as you don't get carried then it counts.

And what about not starting at sea level? The only hill I've climbed from sea level is Goatfell so do the others not count?

neil rich

26/05/2002 at 13:45

I read an account a few years ago written by a chap who climbed everest starting from the coast somewhere. He did the first bit by bike and nearly got wiped out by a truck. He said that his epitaph would have been 'run over by a lorry whilst climbing Everest' surreal....

Orange Alex Ford

26/05/2002 at 21:07

Niel...you're on about Gorna Knopp...aka "The Crazy Swede". (sorry about my spellings)

He got to the top of Everest under his own power, by as you say biking the way there from Sweden. He also got mugged in the middle east (I think) on his way there.

Orange Alex Ford

26/05/2002 at 21:07

Oh and his name eas GorAN, nor Gorna!

Ninja Marmot

26/05/2002 at 21:15

Ahem.
The comment about only counting In Pin if one is at the sharp end of the rope - OK so I'm being the devil's advocado...

So if I second someone up a climb I cannot tick it off in my guidebook as having been ascended?

We do put a separate mark for if a pitch is led or seconded, but really!

Stuart Nicolson

26/05/2002 at 21:40

Doing all the Munros is a fantastic achievement whether you have led the In Pinn or not. Most people don't lead climb for various reasons - lack of opportunity, lack of interest or no head for it (I include myself in that group!).

Not leading the In Pinn is no different to going up one of the cairngorms on a filthy day with someone else doing the nav.

What makes you think climbers are "better" than anyone else and a lead of a rock-climb is more significant than hitting Cac Carn Beag or Beinn Breac in a blizzard?

Do ridge walks like the South Cluanie not count as you didn't ascend from the valley for each peak? etc. etc.

Ninja Marmot

26/05/2002 at 22:00

Stuart - your comment about blizzards - you are so right - 'peaking out' in horrible weather on *anything* is exponentially harder than the same walk on a still, calm summer's day.
But either way, you're still up atop.

And climbing - my partner is an expert (IMO)compared to my basic experience and skill so most times he climbs and I second - it's sensible.

Orange Alex Ford

26/05/2002 at 22:08

Surely going on trips with more experienced walkers, scramblers and climbers is how we learn to become more experienced ourselves.

I am thankfull that I have never been on a day out when I haven't learnt something. If a guide is someone you go with then it's just that the amount you learn will probably be more and you should have a better, and safer, time doing it.

munroist 284 2

26/05/2002 at 22:28

Going to the Cairngorms on a filthy day with someone else doing all the nav. Didn't Jackie Greaves try that?

ben brockway

27/05/2002 at 00:04

Re: Munros, and "validity" of guided ascents
Hey, who's counting?
<Red flag waving in direction of munroists>
Teehee

Paul Williamson

27/05/2002 at 00:15

what does it matter who you go with, if you`ve got to the top using your own leg power thats all that matters really, and doing all the munros IS a huge achievement,
I`ve only done about 20 so far but I have done all the wainwrights, not such a big achievement in comparison to the munros but I enjoyed doing them all the same

Ninja Marmot

27/05/2002 at 07:49

Ahah!

There's the whole bl**dy point put so succinctly by Paul:-

"but I enjoyed doing them all the same"

Amen to that.

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