More details will follow, but here’s a starter for 10…
Jon Ascroft has just completed the Round today 05 07 2015, going A/C, in a new world record time of 16h59m
Charlie Ramsay
Although I’d been building up to a go at the Ramsay Round all year, I’d left it rather late to try and rustle up enough support. By extremely good fortune a merry band of old and new acquaintances came together over the last two weeks for a Sunday run. However the weather forecasters weren’t on board, and threatened persistent rain and perhaps lightning by afternoon. I mentally prepared for some slippery rock and compass-work, and tapered to a restless and jittery point. My schedule was for 18 hour anticlockwise route, with the splits all pretty close to last year’s Tranter Round with Jasmin, plus some from a recent reccy of the extra section round Loch Treig. All the same I considered it an aspirational schedule, as I wasn’t fully sure that I was on the same form as last Summer.
Eóin Lennon, Iain Whiteside and I set of at 2am from the hostel, with a friendly drunk appearing just in time for comedy effect and distracting me from my GPS faff. The drizzle was pleasantly cooling, and cleared within the hour. Torches weren’t needed much past the first top, Mullach na Coirean. The light and views steadily improved as we chatted and cruised our way through the Mamores. Devils Ridge was a delight, the An Gearanach ridge a bit more gnarly. We met three runners on Na Gruagaichean who indicated they were bailing out on their own round attempt, but we didn’t hang around to chat.
Leg 2 rendezvous with Iain Docwra was halfway up the climb of Sgurr Eilde Mor. Kit and farewells were exchanged as I paced on up, and we reached the last Mamore summit after 5h41. Then the big heather bashing descent down to Abhainn Rath, trying not to strain the quads. The flatish track to Loch Treig and on to the railway tunnel felt tougher than anticipated, and Iain hoiked me out of a few bog mis-steps without hesitation. Head fug peaked then eventually cleared whilst climbing Beinn na Lap, and we crossed the glen to the the Chno Dearg climb only for me to neglect my food and briefly bonk. A gel and some Haribo sorted it quite quickly, and the next two summits passed smoothly along with the descent to the dam, save a late traverse to find the route through the woods to the railway line. We reached the dam at 8h13, spot on schedule.
Jim Mann and Sam Hesling were all set for the next leg, and Konrad, Jasmin and Charlie Ramsay himself were there full of enthusiasm and encouragement. In a 5 minute flurry I got some food down, changed socks and savoured the moments in the camping chair. The big 850m pull up and over the Easains passed as quickly as could be hoped thanks to banter and bad jokes. Jim and Sam pestered me with food and drink all the way. Their energy was infectious, all the more so after their respective Dragon’s Back and Lairig Ghru triumphs. I felt strong, steady and focussed, no doubt helped by increasing caffeine levels.
We could see the expected rain over in Glencoe and it appeared to be on its way, but to our happy surprise it never really materialised. We approached the Leg 4 meeting point at the col after Sgurr Choinnich Beag at 14h21, 30 minutes up on the schedule, and were relieved to see Jasmin and Steven Fallon were there ready. Up Spinks Ridge and onto Aonach Beag, where Steven effortlessly guided us through clag to the summit cairn and onwards. The exhilaration was mounting, and the messy descent gulley and climb to Carn Mor Dearg flew by. I followed Jasmin across the arete, trying not to be distracted by the views. The boulders on the last pull up onto the Ben were thankfully dry, and the remaining summit snow gave brief cooling relief for the feet. 16h23. The final descent I’ll remember for a long time – Steven, Jasmin, me then Jim following each other down the scree tracks and later over the path boulders, focused on staying upright. I glimpsed the time, but couldn’t judge how much more was needed, so just forgot about it. I bounded over the bridge to the hostel and stopped the watch at 16h59m26s.
I’m still totally surprised how well it went. I guess last year’s rounds gave me the confidence to run hard from the start, and not to expect to fade (so long as I kept eating). I knew the route well and was confident on the rough rocky terrain. And then of course having the most experienced, enthusiastic and fast support on the day made it happen. Immense thanks to everyone. A most memorable day out.
Jon Ascroft