BEN LEDI (2882')

Log book entry from 70th R & I Expedition Log - Everest Challenge

Saturday 27th October    Ben Ledi (2882’)

Present: John Hennessey, Glip and Willie Grant (Dome)

Report: This climb was an officially scheduled Everest climb, but since most of the boys were playing school rugby, only leaders went eventually.  We drove up in John’s car in glorious sunshine until we reached Callander where it immediately clouded over for the rest of the day. John had already climbed Ben Ledi when he was 16. Can you imagine John aged 16? Impossible.

We parked at Brig o’ Turk and set off along the track past the schoolhouse before turning up the hill. We had to fight through dense bracken and the going was slow. Glip was accused of getting soft since he was now living down in the mild Surrey countryside. Probably true.

It was rather up-and-down to Stuc Odhar (2081 feet). Ben Ledi still looked miles away. We dropped about 500 feet into the coire then struck up a tiring slope which was rather unexciting. We didn’t seem to be getting anywhere and were rather taken by surprise when the trig point appeared. The view was quite good and we congratulated Dome on reaching Everest - the 11th person to do so.

It was bitterly cold and we ate lunch with numb fingers. A group of Scouts appeared at the top. You can’t get away from them! They were from Aberfoyle, I think, and John impressed them by describing their headquarters, which he had seen when he was living in Perth. We got our photos taken with them. Fame!

After this, we descended into Gleann Casaig and proceeded round to Glen Finglas reservoir till we reached the car. Back home we sped, feeling rather tired.

Note: The Erskine Bridge toll was closed and so we were able to whizz through the barrier (which was open) at 50 mph. Very exciting.