Ben Avon

A long walk today, but one with a difference. Today my partner E and myself have compleated 100% of the remaining Munros on our list. It has been a long journey, visiting all corners of Scotland to climb all hills over 3000'. We started so long ago that there were 284 on the list. Since then we have climbed 283 of them, some more than once, and two of them have been demoted from the official list (one after we had climbed it). Of course, we shan't be hanging up our walking boots, but feel that we can now pick and choose regardless of lists and heights, which other mountains or routes we wish to climb.

Whilst is it good reason to celebrate joining the 6622 other compleators on the SMC, it is also slightly deflating that the task is now done. However, we did not set out to climb them all and have almost succeeded in enjoying every one, climbing in all seasons, but picking weather conditions - where possible. We have a very tatty annotated Cameron MacNeish book, but have not always used his routes. We have enjoyed finding interesting ascents, circuits and best use for the day, rather than record speeds and quantities of peaks ticked on every excursion.

There is also an extensive list of friends and acquaintances we have dragged along with us on the way, that we shall now have to thank. You know who you are! Plus a bit of extra expertise, as supplied by Glenmore lodge and several mountain guides, for which we are grateful for helping us stay safe on the hills.