End Of Season Trip
End of Season Trip on Friday 2nd October 2009
Last weekend saw the annual end of season event. This year Lakeland Cyclers chief events organiser, Ken Dunlop took us to the dizzy heights of Ben Nevis situated in the Scottish highland.
Friday morning saw an early start, departing Fivemiletown at 4am, arriving in Fort William at 12 noon via Larne, Irish Ferries and Troon. The itinerary dictated that they would head for the Isle of Sky on a 100 miles site seeing adventure.
Due to some unforeseen circumstances this did not come to fruition, namely poor orientating skills - co-driver, technical support officer, GPS assistant and sat nav operators 1, 2 and 3 were all heading in different directions.
A timely pit stop was called for as both vehicle and occupants were in dyer need of liquid replenishment. Both van and occupants were filled to the brim with red diesel of a kind.
In this neck of the woods they drink whiskey like water even to the extent they fill their kettles with it but more so in the Hurricane season. Room 21 got plenty of whiskey in the jar strictly for medicinal purposes as did PJ Mullrine administered by a compassionate sherpa Raymond Dunlop on the steep slopes of Ben Nevis.
Saturday morning saw them up bright and early. They commenced their ascent to the summit of Ben Nevis in the heart of the Mamores, led by Ken Donnell. The route was not the typical tourist route and saw them depart near to Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, crossing the calm and mature river Nevis.
After a severe and somewhat difficult climb they contoured around Carn Dearg, into the ‘Coire Leis’ valley. Here they had to transverse a raging mountain river and then ascend to the Carn Mor Dearg Ridge, not before scrabbling to the summit of Ben Nevis.
Midway along the ridge some breath taking and heart stopping moments were experienced before cloud cleared, revealing the Scottish highland in all its splendour not least the famous North face and the magical Ben Nevis summit itself.
At an altitude of 4400 feet the true colours came out as club jerseys were adorned. Club sponsor, Pauley Cable Jointing, participants and the spirit of Lakeland Cycle Club on this momentous occasion were captured by the club’s in-house sketch artist Julian Dunlop.
Refreshments were provided courtesy of Ken Donnell mobile catering company, however crockery was optional. The accumulated total ascent was some 6,000 feet, taking 6.5 hours to scale.
As in life all highs or followed by lows, all ups or followed by downs, as was the case in this adventure.
The descent descended and descended and descended into sabotage, rule bending and not following appropriate routes.
However, fitness, age, experience, determination and an overall sense of good will and sportsmanship won the day. Well done Mark P Kavanagh, commiserations William and Declan.