The Tranters Round, September 2020

The original 24 hour Scottish challenge conceived by Philip Tranters back in 1964, of 19 (now 18) munroes; 20,000ft ascent, approx.40miles, until it was extended in 1978 by Charlie Ramsay. 

Having accomplished my Bob Graham Round in June 2019, I said I didn’t need to do another ultra challenge. A 20mile run is far enough, 5-6 hours on the fells should give enough views for anyone. Running gets a lot of chat in our house and with my friends, long distance runs and challenges especially. I consider the Charlie Ramsay and Paddy Buckley Rounds beyond me, but then there is the Tranters Round…. Statistically not a BG, less distance, less ascent, less time on your feet, maybe it is doable. Its not long before it is on my list of things to do!! 

April 2020 Paul and I have a date arranged to set off, but Covid-19 puts a stop to that.  

August 2020, another opportunity came about but then hopes were dashed enroute to Fort William due to a vehicle breakdown. 

I had almost accepted a running challenge for the year was not going to happen for me, when a text from Natalie informing me Clare and herself were planning a final 2020 adventure and would I like to join them. Within half an hour plans were in place – the Tranters was on - so long as the MWIS forecast didn’t change! I’ve tried to keep my hill fitness up in the hope another opportunity arose for a Tranters attempt. Were my 30mile, 6-7000ft ascent average running weeks going to be enough to get me round? I’m about to find out!! 

September has been a pretty fine weather month and the weekend in question was no exception. Alarms set for 4.20am, 5.08am set off from Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, we were excited to get started on an amazing autumnal day out in the hills. 

Oh my, the stars…. Oh my, it is actually quite warm…. Oh my, I think we are in for a good day. Head torches were required until half way up Ben Nevis, as were ¾ leggings. These were soon ditched for shorts as was an upper mid layer. Cloud lay in the valleys and the pink hue in the sky was getting nearer with every step. We summitted Ben Nevis at 7.10am, just in time for sunrise, it was beautiful (one of my favourite views of the day). We lingered long enough for a couple of photos (I love my photos!) then off towards Carn Mor Dearg Arrette, one of the ridges I’m really looking forward to. And it was fab, trotting along the boulders on the ridge, the views behind opened up to the back of the Ben, all the ridges and gullies in full splendour.

Onto Carn Mor Dearg, and into unreccied territory, hence we have chosen to do a clockwise round, so we run this in the daylight. Enroute to Aonarch Mor and the first water ‘top up’ of the day; the view of the Grey Corries ahead of us. It didn’t feel overwhelming as I was feeling fresh and ever so slightly elated. It was here I heard the first of the stags roaring in the valleys. Our first out and back of the day to Aonach Mor backpacks ditched for 10minutes, then onto Aonach Beag. Here the decision needed to be made as to which descent to take before the climb to Sgurr Choinnich Mor. Charlie’s Gully was the choice, which was the right choice I think – maybe Spink’s Ridge would be ok to ascend on an anti-clockwise round! I will always think of these as the pink/blue/yellow routes as highlighted on our route notes! Charlie’s Gully was blue!

We three ladies were happy jogging along, keeping to schedule devised by Clare, rather meticulously keeping to it. On over Stob Coire an Laoigh, staying high on the ridge rather than loosing height and ascending via an obvious but steep scree run, Stob Chaire Claurigh and on to Stob Ban (Grey Corries). Down to Abhainn Rath in the glen, oh what a long descent, and it looked like a boggy one at that as we neared the valley floor. We passed a lovely little water spot, a dip was tempting and temperatures would have made it a pleasant experience, but onwards and upwards we must go!

With a little bit of help from Finlay’s GPX route on his record run, we made our way down to the river, topped up with water and Ange’s magic purple juice! Natalie admits a migraine coming on, but is determined to carry on. Another long and fairly silent climb to Sgurr Eilde Mor. The suggestion to chat was politely declined by all if I remember rightly! I’m seeing the climbs ahead, remembering them from previous Salomon Ring of Steal races and thinking the next miles and hours are going to take their toll. Leg 3 of my BG wasn’t good, but I came round, hopefully something similar will happen today.

The summit was reached then onto the first of 3 out n backs on the Mamores, Binnein Beag. Rucksacks off, bar of chocolate and off we go. Im not feeling 100% and think it best we have a short rest as we retrieve our belongings. After a drink of coke I’ve been keeping in reserve all day, I’m ready for the off, Binnein Mor & Na Gruagaichean, our next summits. Sunset is approaching now and I’m kind of looking forward to this knowing how clear the skies are. Sunset was almost captured from An Gearanach, (2nd out & back on the Mamores), I think this will suffice. 

Stob Coire a Chairn, Am Bodach, Sgor an Iubhair went in as did Sgurr a’Mhaim on Devils Ridge (final out n back). I did ask Clare to confirm it was the second summit on the ridge we needed to visit, knowing full well it was!! I’ve got to admit there were numerous groans and OMG expressions being uttered during the dusk hours and final summits.

Last water stop of the day at Lochan Coire nam Miseach, on the ascent to Stob Ban (Mamores), final catch up with three young men also out on the Tranters and we are now on our way home. I’ve been trying to keep thoughts of finishing the round and hopping into my sleeping bag to a minimum, they are becoming a reality now. Our final summit, Mullach nan Cairean, and we are on the relentless descent, following the fence line and then the bog to the track to the youth hostel. With the thought of sleeping bags and encouragement from Nats, I think we managed to jog some of the way back to the youth hostel and the finish line. Three very tired but satisfied ladies, with an accomplishment under the belt, fab photo album and some great memories. 21hours 30minutes, was the time taken - pretty much as per schedule. A relaxed experience, under trained on my part, and at this time an adventure that didn’t need to be repeated! But a day or so later I think I had changed my mind - I could be persuaded to have another go in the future – maybe an anti-clockwise attempt …...?!! Thank you Natalie & Clare for the invite to share an adventure and complete my personal challenge in what has been a very challenging year. The day was dissected for the negatives and positives, for which I can hand on heart say were mostly positives. Here’s to more adventures….!!