Monday 27 June 2005

Etive Round - 25/26 June

During June 25/26, John Fleetwood of Kendal completed a new long distance route around Glen Etive - solo, on sight and unsupported, and covering some horrendously rough ground.
The Etive Round is measured at 56.4 miles, 30,448ft and was completed in 30 hours 21 minutes.
Detailed schedule is here. The route contains:
  • 18 Marilyns
  • 16 Munros
  • 3 Corbetts
  • 2 Murdos
  • 1 CTM
    John's comments
    "It was on sight solo unsupported journey over some of the most rugged, steep and tricky ground. The first 1/3 was unbelievably tough - brutal in fact - and it really took it out of me. The direct line up Beinn Maol Chaluim was 50 degree tussocks and oozing black rocks with one or two little pitches of climbing and a crawl along a grassy ledge. Also scree off the Buachaille made the Red Burn screes on the Ben seem tame - quite dangerous in fact and there's a better route down the valley which I spotted afterwards. Not a run at all, but certainly a challenge. The night descents were horrendous - steep slabby, trackless slopes which took an age. Once it was clear I wasn't going to do it in 24 hours I took my time and had several dozes and food stops. It would be possible in 24 hours having now reccied the route but it's a really brutal route - far harder than the stats indicate. I thought to myself that there were no less than 9 Yewbarrow-like ascents and some of them steeper than this and covered in tussocks. I plan to amend the route making it shorter and improving the line, but probably won't do this until next year now. Feeling a bit drained."
    John Fleetwood
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