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| Image belongs to Kelsey Morse |
Naturally, people want to climb them. It's called 'Munro-bagging': a weekend affair with various degrees of dedication/intensity/flashiness propelling walkers to the top of Scotland's highest mountains, which must sit above 3000 feet to deserve the name. Since my first walks, I have wanted to be one of these people. Carry a titanium walking stick. Wear swishy waterproof trousers. Talk about mile-long journeys like they were a Sunday stroll. On New Year's Day, full of optimism, I decided to try. Before my time here is through, I would climb a Munro. I resolved to walk more, work hills and go to the gym until my poor Midwestern heart can handle the altitude.
Since then I have scuttled around town trying to build up my endurance. Walk my way to fit enough for a Munro so I don't keel over halfway. I'm calling it The Great Munro Challenge with only a slight sense of irony. (I do realize that most of Scotland plus some have done this already, but this girl is from the flatlands and no attempt to conquer a mountain will go untold.) Here's the plan: I will walk hills to build my strength, take photos along the way and report back with all the novel happenings. This will continue -- steadily building in height and difficulty -- until I am strong enough to top a Munro. Then I'll climb one, toast with cheap wine at the top and, I imagine, come down in some mixed state of euphoria and pain.
My first documented challenge is Arthur's Seat. It is an extinct volcano that sits right next to Her Majesty's Palace of Holyroodhouse, at the bottom of Edinburgh's Royal Mile. It is approximately 919 feet tall with partially tarmacked (READ: paved) trails and stone steps. A few folk were walking in dress shoes, bless their souls. I chose welly boots.
The first bit of walk was pleasant. Mild with a light breeze and sunshine above. I was particularly thrilled at the chance to see Edinburgh not shrouded in cloud, as it usually is when I visit. A woman passed on her way down in Converse All-stars. It was hard to ignore the caked mud that crept from her canvas-clad feet to her knees. Trouble ahead, but no worries. I had faith in my knee-high rubber shells.
A while later, we began to ascend some noticeably steep stone stairs. I knew my heart would be thumping in my throat regardless the pace, so I channelled my determination and powered up. By halfway I stopped, heaving great yogic breaths and waiting for my pulse to calm. I looked down at my wellies to see their black sheen covered in brown mud. The squidgy kind that kids and dogs love. The boots seemed a little worse for wear; I questioned my decision to wear these instead of my hiking shoes. For a city walk, Arthur's Seat was proving more rugged than expected.
Near the top: face flush, warm muscles. My eyes glided horizontally across Edinburgh; I felt almost satisfied, if a little winded. We had just one more jaunt up to the top and even though I responded with something like, "You've gotta be kidding me," I wanted to finish the walk.
At the top, as always, the sense of accomplishment set in. Wind blasted me from every side. Body heat faded within seconds; I buried myself in the layers I lost on the way up. Took photos, then turned to descend. On the way down, though, I noticed a sad little fissure in my left welly. Then three more in my right. I had made it to the top, but my poor £12 wellies didn't have it in them.
One climb closer, I came down reaffirmed in things I've learned millions of times: Never compromise on footwear and any exercise is good exercise, no matter the sloppiness involved. I feel 919 feet closer to a Munro and determined as ever to bag one in 2012.
Next up: Berwick Law in North Berwick, near Edinburgh.
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 |
| Image belongs to Kelsey Morse |
The first bit of walk was pleasant. Mild with a light breeze and sunshine above. I was particularly thrilled at the chance to see Edinburgh not shrouded in cloud, as it usually is when I visit. A woman passed on her way down in Converse All-stars. It was hard to ignore the caked mud that crept from her canvas-clad feet to her knees. Trouble ahead, but no worries. I had faith in my knee-high rubber shells.
A while later, we began to ascend some noticeably steep stone stairs. I knew my heart would be thumping in my throat regardless the pace, so I channelled my determination and powered up. By halfway I stopped, heaving great yogic breaths and waiting for my pulse to calm. I looked down at my wellies to see their black sheen covered in brown mud. The squidgy kind that kids and dogs love. The boots seemed a little worse for wear; I questioned my decision to wear these instead of my hiking shoes. For a city walk, Arthur's Seat was proving more rugged than expected.
 |
| Image belongs to Kelsey Morse |
Near the top: face flush, warm muscles. My eyes glided horizontally across Edinburgh; I felt almost satisfied, if a little winded. We had just one more jaunt up to the top and even though I responded with something like, "You've gotta be kidding me," I wanted to finish the walk.
At the top, as always, the sense of accomplishment set in. Wind blasted me from every side. Body heat faded within seconds; I buried myself in the layers I lost on the way up. Took photos, then turned to descend. On the way down, though, I noticed a sad little fissure in my left welly. Then three more in my right. I had made it to the top, but my poor £12 wellies didn't have it in them.
 |
| Image belongs to Kelsey Morse |
One climb closer, I came down reaffirmed in things I've learned millions of times: Never compromise on footwear and any exercise is good exercise, no matter the sloppiness involved. I feel 919 feet closer to a Munro and determined as ever to bag one in 2012.
Next up: Berwick Law in North Berwick, near Edinburgh.
Did you like this post? Follow me on Twitter and "like" Outta Town on Facebook to receive the most recent blog updates. Also, follow me on StumbleUpon to find other great travel articles!
Hey Kelsey! Arthur's seat is gorgeous. I climbed it when I was in Edinburgh too.
ReplyDeleteThe other day my blog received the Liebster blog award. I've now passed it to you. You can see the rules for passing it along at my blog.
http://amy-allender.blogspot.com/2012/03/liebster-blog-award.html
Have fun and keep up the good work.
Amy {aprons & ambition}