8 Carnethies (Willie Gibson, Alan Hogg, Helen Wise, Annie Gagliardi, Sean Walker, Krysia Smyth, Ron and Heather Young) met at The Steading at 10pm on Saturday night for a pint (or two in my case), before heading off on to the hill at 10:30.
This was the earliest start of any previous Midnight Madness, with the plan to do take no short cuts and to not feel rushed.
The Proseco was secreted on Caerketton at 11pm and after saying hello to the Highland Coos, we summited Allermuir at 11:12 and the mizzle started. At Allermuir crossing we put on the pertex and headed for Castlelaw (summited at 11:32) and descended to the Farm where we were joined my Moira Stewart. The founder runners of Midnight Madness 2001 were complete (Alan Moira and Me).
The rain got a bit more serious at Flotty and the full waterproofs were donned before we ascended Turnhouse.
We saw a torch on Turnhouse was it a Carnethy coming to meet us?
I took my phone out and noticed a text from Joel, “I had a great plan to meet you guys on Carnethy or Scald Law with food and drink, but now I am too tired and cant be A**ed. Have a good run, I shall think of you while I eat the biscuits and whisky I got for you, and we all know its the thought that counts”. Thanks Joel.
The torch turned out to be a dog with a head torch and two guys, one carrying a “Next” carrier bag, who said “it is windy up there”.
We got “Up there” 12:28 and thought about putting on the head torches. But we were coping so we went commando on to Carnethy and sat at the Cairn at 12:50 and had hot Ribena and Whisky/Brandy Mac (I had run out of blend and had to use brandy). As we ran off the summit the weather was looking better.
We regrouped at Scald Law trig at 01:12 where we decided it was too nice to miss out South Black Hill. Helen was keen to lose her Skyline Virginity tonight and was demanding the full course!
So after South Black at 01:20 The darkest path of the night led us to The Kips where Helen announced that it was not going to rain anymore and a £5 bet was place with me.
East Kip at 1:35 and West Kip 8 minutes later and we regrouped at the drove road an headed for Hare Hill.
The call of Heather’s Mums house at Balerno was too much for Heather and Rob and we bade them farewell as we left the road to make the summit. It was 02:10 as we went off track and yomped towards Black Hill.
We crossed the valley dry shod, amazingly and then Helen’s pleading found us heading for Black Hill summit.
It was 2:45 at the highest point, the pace was looking perfect. The descent was not as muddy as usual and as we headed for dead leg Gully Moira and Sean decided to follow the fence line to same some time. I think Moira had found being submerged thigh deep in a bog was a good excuse!
At the summit (03:15) Helen took a minute to relocate before pointing to the correct way off (progress!!).
It was a great run off in the improving light, still no head torches, we were going to save our batteries (and the planet). Regrouping with the other 2 we were over Harbour at 3:30 and Capelaw at 3:42. We were 1 hour 20 minutes to early to meet Ian Forrest on his 50th ascent this year.
The end was in sight and there was no rush so a gentle jog to Allermuir (04:00) and the down past the Highland Coos before Caerketton at 4:20 (5 hour 50 minutes), perfect timing. The Proseco was popped poured and scoffed as we watched the hazy sun appear.
What a great night for a run!
It was the first overnight Skyline to do all the tops.
It was the first overnight Skyline with out the aid of torches.
It was Helen’s first complete Skyline.
Then we ran off to Boghall and Woodhouselee where Bob Waterhouse was cooking us all Breakfast.
So after tea, coffee, Bacon Rolls, Egg Rolls and a a reminisce of a prefect night we all headed home for a sleep.
We Carnethies know how to have a good time.
Thanks to CaliBob (Cali Ingham and Bob Waterhouse) for hosting the breakfast.
Willie Gibson