Mindfulness, Munro bagging and cancer
11:45 – Ben Challum (M106), 3363ft, 1025m
New snow and morning frost mean otherwise boggy approaches become frozen over and less challenging while the views from the summits more spectacular. What better conditions than these to climb Ben Challum with its reputation for very boggy approaches and spectacular views. Continue reading “Munro with cancer #133”
It is now more than five years since I was told in no uncertain terms by a senior urologist working at the Diakonessenhuis hospital in Utrecht in The Netherlands that if I did not take the medication he was prescribing me, I would be dead within a year, and that even if I did, I would likely be dead within three. Another urologist, working at the Wilhelmina Hospital in Nijmegen, who some weeks later offered a second opinion, suggested that three years was maybe a bit pessimistic, adding that five was more likely. Continue reading “New Horizons”
12:30 – Ben Cruachan (M031), 3694ft, 1126m
15:00 – Stob Daimh (143), 3274ft, 998m
I met a man on Braeriach last Sunday who I recognised from the Facebook, where he has shared his experience of prostate cancer. The next day I got a message from an old school chum, living now on the other side of the big water, seeking advice about his recent diagnosis. Each of us has a very different experience of the disease and our circumstances are very different, but we share something. Continue reading “Prostate Cancer Warriors”
Braeriach (M003), 4252ft, 1296m
Sometimes things happen in the world that make a difference to all of us, irrespective of our political leanings or affiliations, and which therefore expose more substantial political forces and powers at large. I have always wanted to keep politics in the first sense out of this blog, but I have no problem engaging directly with the latter. Continue reading “It’s probably shite being Catalonian right now too”
13:15 – Spidean Mialach (M146), 3268ft, 996m
14:45 – Gleouraich (M097), 3396ft, 1037m
The meanings of the names of these mountains refer respectively to wild animals and the noises they make. Continue reading “Munro with cancer #128 and #129”
10:00 – Carn Dearg (M098), 3392ft, 1034m
11:40 – Geal-Charn (M026), 3714ft, 1132m
12:15 – Aonach Beag (M037), 3661ft, 1116m
13:15 – Beinn Eibhinn (M048), 3615ft, 1102m
There is vigorous discussion among mountain people about which peaks are the most remote. There are many fine candidates, and I have visited a good few of them. Always in combination with an expedition of one or several nights out. Continue reading “Munro with cancer #124 to #127 – the high Laggans”
14:00 – Meall a Bhùiridh (M045), 3635ft, 1108m
15:00 – Creise (M050), 3609ft, 1100m
16:00 – Meall a Bhùiridh (again)
I should have known from recent visits to Glen Coe that 12:30 in the afternoon of the busiest Sunday in August would not be the best time to find somewhere to park before climbing Buachaille Etive Beag. Continue reading “Munro with cancer #122 and #123 – a tale of midges and tourists”
Sometimes people tell me that they would be frightened, alone in the mountains, particularly when camping out. My usual response is that there is nothing to fear except axe wielding maniacs. Sometimes I also have to ask when the last time was that they heard of an axe wielding maniac running amok in the Scottish Highlands. Continue reading “Exposure”
