Wateraid Munro Challenge

This article was taken from the Venner Shipley Newsletter edition 19.

On 10 June 2005, nine budding mountaineers from Venner Shipley headed off to the Eastern Highlands for this year’s charity event. The event was organised by WaterAid, with the aim of setting a world record by getting a team of people on top of every mountain more than 3000ft high in the British Isles at the same time. Our team chose the mountain Braeriach in the Cairngorms, the third highest mountain in Scotland at 4250ft.

A mere 11-hour trip in a minibus, made more (or less?) bearable by some enthusiastic karaoke, was all it took to arrive at our destination, Pitlochry. On arrival, there was little time to do anything apart from get a good night’s sleep in preparation for the day of walking ahead.

After an early start, our team set out for the top of Braeriach. We bravely made it through a ravine of huge boulders, and some steep climbs, and arrived at the summit within the time limits. We were extremely fortunate with the weather and were able to enjoy some spectacular views. A special mention must go to Erica, who made it to the top of the mountain, and back down again, carrying an extra supply of water. This was done to symbolise the struggle of the thousands of women in the Third World, who WaterAid help to support, who have no option but to carry many litres of water on a long journey between the water source and their village everyday.

Eight hours after we set off, we finally made it back to our trusty minibus, feeling suitably worn out, but without a blister in sight. A few brave members of the team even managed to make it to a ceilidh later that evening!

The team raised more than £1,700 for WaterAid. It was also confirmed on our return that all of the mountains had been completed successfully, making us world record holders!

10 Jun 2005

Return to news list