On Wednesday 30th June a group of 4 Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Oban - Jack Tollan, Ciorsti Baxter, Alan Hoar & Graham Innes - undertook a sponsored hill climb of the famous Dalmally Horseshoe, which is part of the Cruachan group of hills near Oban, with the route passing over Stob Daimh, one of the 2 Munros on Cruachan, and also 2 Munro Tops - Sron an Isean & Stob Garbh. All 3 peaks are over 3000 feet in height.
On the summit of Stob Daimh On the summit of Stob Daimh
The day started in lovely good warm summery weather, with some light cloud (which prevented the group getting too sun-burnt), and good progress was made up the steep south-east ridge of Sron an Isean. On reaching this first summit, some hill mist closed in which slightly spoilt the views but the group successfully managed to reach the summits of all 3 peaks including the Munro - Stob Daimh.
On the way up to the ridge - Sron an Isean
Below the mist on the high summits the views improved dramatically on the descent down the east ridge of Stob Garbh and the intrepid climbers made it safely back to the start of the walk having spent just over 7 hours on the hill.
Looking back down the ridge - Sron an Isean Looking down the ridge - Stob Garbh
Sponsorship of over £800 will have been raised as a result of the climb and all sums raised will be donated by the club to Water Aid, a charity which has benefitted from the the sponsored climbs over the years.
One of the regular participants in these Hill climbs, Roger Parry, was unable to join the other Rotarians on the day but he, and other members of his family, did the same climb a few days earlier and raised sponsorship as well.
This was the 23rd time Rotarians from the Oban Club had undertaken an annual sponsored hill climb, climbing over 36 Munros & Corbetts (with Graham being an ever present on all these climbs). As a result thousands of pounds have been raised for various charities and good causes including Water Aid.
On Sunday 28th July a group of 4 Rotarians - Ronnie Forbes, Jack Tollan, Chris Sutton & Graham Innes, along with Ronnie & Chris' dogs - undertook a sponsored hill climb of Creag Meagaidh, a Munro on the north side of Loch Laggan.The day started in lovely sunshine and good progress was made up picturesque Coire Ardair to the Lochan at the foot of the impressive cliffs on the side of the mountain. At this point the weather closed in a bit but the group managed to navigate safely through the mist to the top of Creag Meagaidh .
The weather on the descent was even more changeable starting with the hilltop mist, then a shower of heavy rain and finally some nice sunshine again, but the intrepid climbers made it safely back to the start of the walk having spent just over 6 hours on the hill.
The weather on the descent was even more changeable starting with the hilltop mist, then a shower of heavy rain and finally some nice sunshine again, but the intrepid climbers made it safely back to the start of the walk having spent just over 6 hours on the hill.On Saturday 7th July, a group of 5 Rotarians - Ronnie Forbes, Chris Sutton, Jack Tollan, Roger Parry & Graham Innes - along with Ursula Parry from Oban Inner Wheel, Ronnie's dog, Fergus and Chris' collie puppy, Susie - undertook a sponsored hill climb of Stuchd an Lochain, a Munro near Glen Lyon in West Perthshire.
On a lovely sunny day the 6 intrepid climbers managed a speedy ascent of the mountain and enjoyed lovely views from the summit including views of Ben Nevis, Schiehallion and Ben Cruachan.
After returning to the starting point at the dam on Lochan Diamh, Ronnie and Graham decided to climb a second Munro, Meall Bhuidhe, on the opposite side of the loch from Stuchd an Lochain, and successfully climbed this hill, with Fergus leading the way.
Sponsorship of over £500 will have been raised as a result of the climb to be utilised by Oban Rotary in supporting good causes.
The club has been undertaking these sponsored climbs for over twenty years and has raised thousands of pounds for various charities and good causes.
Graham at the summit of Meall Bhuidhe
On Saturday 5th August 4 Rotarians from Oban Rotary Club-Jack Tollan, Chris Sutton, Graham Innes & one ouf our newest Rotarians Ronnie Forbes-undertook a sponsored hill climb to raise funds for Local & International charities and other good causes.
The Challenge involved climbing Ben Vane, a Munro of 915 metres in height lying close to Loch Lomond.
Apart from a shower of rain which arrived just as the group arrived at the summit, the group enjoyed a dry day on the hill and they all successfully climbed the mountain, even Graham who was nursing an Achilles tendon injury. During the climb of this small but tricky Munro splendid views were enjoyed of Loch Lomond, The Trossachs and the neighbouring hills, including Ben Lomond.
This was the 20th time Oban Rotary had undertaken a sponsored hill climb in aid of various charities, including Water Aid and MacMillan Cancer Support, climbing over 30 Munros and other hills and raising thousands of pounds in the process.
As a result of this year's challenge the Rotary Club hope to have raised over £500 which will be donated to charities and other good causes chosen by the club.