Tim Laney writes : the final day began with a climb up the western slopes of Ben Klibreck through a lot of tussocky grass and heather of the kind familiar to most mountain marathoners. The ridge cleared as we reached it, and the summit gave stunning views of the surrounding country. Back to the road to find a reception committee from the Angry Corrie and the JMT, along with more of Spyke's friends and supporters. JBC produced the last of many plates of sandwiches manufactured during the round, before packing Spyke off on the 15 mile cycle to the foot of Ben Hope. The final climb was taken in bright sunlight to a busy summit.
Spyke touched the trig point at 3:06pm to complete the round of 283 Munros in 39 days, 9 hours and 6 minutes.
A number of glasses of champagne were taken by the company to celebrate his great achievement, and a parcel from previous record holder, Charlie Campbell, containing a bottle of Singleton's Malt Whisky found buried in the summit cairn was discovered. As Charlie wrote "What can I say but awesome! Many, many congratulations on setting such a fantastic record. Savour the moment, as the Munro memories will last for ever...it takes a singular determination and character to see an enterprise like this through to a successful ending, and you have done that".
23 comments:
Bravo Spyke - sensational achievement. And thanks to all for letting us follow Spyke's progress and feel part of this inspiring performance.
I have already left a message immediately after hearing from Spyke on the summit. We are still glowing in the reflected glory and passed the news on to family and friends who have left congratulations. What a crowded top you must have had! we will have to MAKE-GOOD the damage!!
Awesome! Congratulations. We are already tired after having walked out to Cannich to shop& get some internet updates.
Nadine and Tobi (Glen Affric Hostel wardens)
Absolutely fantastic, well done! I can't imagine how you have managed to do this but it has given rise to a few ideas of big days out in future.
Graeme S.
Congratulations Spyke.
I've enjoyed following your progress on this blog and have been amazed at the effort involved each and every day in completing this epic achievement.
Well done doesn't seem enough really!
Congratulations Spyke and the team!!
Pleased you had good weather for the last part as well.
An excellent achievement!
Wow, what an achievement, huge congratulations, now a well earned rest and perhaps a beer?
A fantastic job!!
Congratulations - an extraordinary achievement! It's beyond the bounds of my imagination!
Well done Spyke! Great to be able to watch from my bathchair!!
Well done Spyke, awesome stuff mate. I can only doth my cap in admiration. Enjoy the celebrations.
All the best
Jez :o)
Well done Spyke! Absolutely epic achievement. It was great to follow your progress from day to day. Will sponsor you later as you have certainly earned it!
Great stuff - many congrats to Spyke and all the support crew. Having been on Ben Hope when Charlie finished in 2000, that was an amazing thing to be part of / report on, and the same applies this time. Great that you got a fine sunny day for the finish, just as Charlie did.
Main report now up on the CalMerc:
http://outdoors.caledonianmercury.com/2010/06/05/munro-round-record-hits-new-heights-as-40-day-barrier-is-breached/00919
See also the brief as-it-happened report from Thurs, with pics and timings sent from the top of Ben Hope (thankfully there was a signal northwards – the glen and southern side of the hill was patchy at best). The story and pic were online before people had left the summit.
http://outdoors.caledonianmercury.com/2010/06/03/spyke-sets-new-munro-round-record/00913
Big, big congratulations Spyke on an awesome achievement! Your performance is a real inspiration and you have set a record that will be very hard to beat. It has been great to follow your progress on the blog; thanks John!
Have a well earned rest....so what next?
unreal!! well done. inspiring!!!
Spyke - fantastic effort! I've enjoyed following your progress, really pleased you've made it. Chris
Fantastic achievement for Spyke and team... also good to see Caledonian Mercury so quick off the mark with the news (NB Wikipedia still haven't caught up)!
Brilliant, superb performance, well done. I was looking across to Ben Hope from the north west this past week, and have been following your journey (online) throughout the 40 days. A journey you wil never forget, I am sure.
Murdo McEwan
Fantastic! What an achievement. It has been great to read the blog over the last weeks.
Fantastic achievement. Amazing. Been thinking of you this weekend while bagging in Torridon. Here's the blog I wrote about you on hearing your news. http://www.fionaoutdoors.co.uk/2010/06/fell-runner-breaks-record-for-fastest-munro-round.html
Thanks for Fionaoutdoors blog site.pictures we had not had before.
Nearly as exhausting following the progress as Munro Bagging. Let us hope many more join The John Muir Trust to save the Wild places and Munros.
Well done Spyke and his supporters, a very impressive achievement. I have been following the blog and it looks like it has been a brilliant 40 days. I am looking forward to reading a more detailed account about the highs and lows you had on your amazing journey.
Seriously impressive, bravo!!
Awesome! well done
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