by Mike Jackson

A number of small groups tackled the last few hundred feet of ascent over slabby rock pavements and areas of stone and gravel. The bare slopes held pockets of wind blown snow and the clumps of grass were encased in frost and rime, forming masses of exquisite white patterns. Eyes strained through the dense mist for the elusive summit until we finally arrived at the ice encrusted cairn. A full bottle of a favourite liqueur whisky was produced with matching glasses, a real touch of class that! and the congratulations of everyone present were eagerly offered and gladly received. For me it was the culmination of a personal pilgrimage which had started long before…

My family had settled in Sheffield in 1947 and it was in the wild moorlands and beautiful countryside of the delightful Peak District that the foundation of my love for the hills was well and truly laid. I first visited Scotland as a student in 1957 and my first Scottish ascent was of Cairngorm from a wild and stormy campsite at the head of Loch Avon. The vast scale and magnificent wilderness of the Cairngorms made a deep and lasting impression on me but, apart from a solitary trip to Glen Nevis, eleven years passed by before I joined the CMC and at last found the opportunity of visiting Scotland on a regular basis.

The Club had been founded in 1967 by Alec Barclay, an expatriate Scotsman whose apparently unlimited energy and enthusiasm soon attracted a keen following and ensured the Club its future success. Vital features in the attraction of the Club were the emphasis on individual inclination and achievement and the complete absence of unnecessary regimentation. Mountaineering with the Club was always enjoyed with the greatest of relish and the away meets in particular were awaited with keen anticipation, each one an adventure for those fortunate enough to be able to take part.

My first Scottish club meet was to Lagangarbh in Glencoe in 1969 when the only carload of enthusiasts also included Alec himself first Hon. Secretary , Colin Mackie first President , Chris Taylor first Treasurer , Kate Peek still a member twenty years later . The highlight was a thrilling traverse of the spectacular Aonach Eagach ridge in superb conditions of sunshine and mist during the only all too brief clear interlude in a weekend of torrential rain.

The first meet I organized myself was to Lochnagar the following October and in the years to come I attended every one of fourteen consecutive July meets in Glencoe and enjoyed visits to many different areas of Scotland at all seasons, particularly to the Cairngorms in the winter snows, establishing a welcome programme of unfailing interest and excitement.

In 1972, during the Club’s first Skye meet and after an unforgettable day on the Black Cuillin, I discovered at the SMC hut in Glen Brittle a slim volume which was to transform my hill walking and result in a sense of commitment and direction I had not previously experienced. It was, of course, “Munros Tables” and a quick examination disclosed the enormous range of 3000 foot summits in Scotland, far more than I had ever contemplated. I had, it appeared, climbed only twenty three Munros and my exploration of the Scottish hills had scarcely begun. The thought of tackling them all fired my imagination and the long trail I then began to follow was to lead me over the years to endless hours, days and weeks of inspiration and delight.

A number of CMC members became equally attracted to the Highlands and the intensity of our weekend forays increased both in summer and in winter as the years rolled by, with early starts from Sheffield on Friday morning in order to tackle our chosen hill during the afternoon after our long journey. We would enjoy a very full expedition indeed on Saturday and a considerable outing on Sunday before dashing home in time to start work on Monday morning. More remote areas provided an excuse or reason for longer visits using bothies and youth hostels or camping in the wilds particularly successful and memorable expeditions included those to the Far North, Skye, Torridon, the Cairngorms and even a boat trip to the Western Sea Lochs. My most regular companion became Jim Thomson whom I first met on an early Cairngorm meet and who eventually completed his Munros in 1983 on the very day of his seventy third birthday when I had the great pleasure of standing with him on a remote summit in the Rough Bounds of Knoydart. My sons Andrew, John and Christopher have also enjoyed the hills and their arrival on the Scottish scene brought me added joy.

In the course of climbing the Munros, an appreciation grows of the great variety of Scottish hill scenery ranging from the massive grandeur of the Cairngorms to the incomparable excitements of the Skye Cuillin and from the sea views and enchanting situations of Western Highland peaks to the dramatic individual hills and ranges of the Northern Highlands. The quest for the Munros takes one the length and breadth of the land and ensures that many a fine hill is enjoyed that might not otherwise have been attempted. The contrasts of the seasons the wonderful clarity of the springtime views, the sunshine, rain and greenery of high summer, the glorious autumn colours and the superb snowscapes of winter all add to the unfailing interest and variety of experience.

The planning of an expedition, the commitment to set off for the summits in all weathers except the downright impossible, the determination to pit one’s strengths and weaknesses against the demands of the task in hand even on days of rain, storm and blizzard that can on occasion make hill walking a taxing exercise all contribute to the challenge. The discomforts and occasional hardships are invariably amply compensated by the beauty of outstanding scenery and the majesty of the natural world, the heady excitements of ridge and crag, the abundant and precious wildlife and the companionship of good friends.

My ambition was to end my personal Munro trail in the Cairngorms where I had climbed my first Highland hill thirty years earlier this grand area of high wilderness, long distances and far horizons. And so it was, on a dark day in October 1987, that I found myself on that bleak summit nine miles from the nearest road, sharing a very special occasion with many of the friends and fellow members of the CMC with whom I had enjoyed so many wonderful hill days. I was particularly delighted that my dear friend Jim and my youngest son Christopher were both present an age range of no less than sixty four years! I had hoped for bright sunshine and great views but it was perhaps appropriate that we had chosen an autumn day requiring some measure of hillcraft.

After approaching this moment with ambivalent feelings, the end of my long pilgrimage proved in the event to be yet one more heartwarming experience after so many enjoyed on the hills over the years experiences which in relation to the Highlands could be renewed a hundred times without fear of duplication. I have had the good fortune of sharing my endeavours with proven friends who also love these marvellous hills they are too numerous to mention individually but they know who they are and that they enjoy my admiration and my gratitude: my heartfelt thanks to all such friends and in particular to my fellow members of the CMC.