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The Ultimate Guide to the Munros Vol 1 by Ralph Storer sampler

From the pen of a dedicated Munro bagger comes The Ultimate Guide to everything you've wished the other books had told you before you set off. The lowdown on the state of the path, advice on avoiding bogs and tricky situations, tips on how to determine which bump is actually the summit in misty weather... this is the only guide to the Munros you'll ever need.

From the pen of a dedicated Munro bagger comes The Ultimate Guide to everything you've wished the other books had told you before you set off. The lowdown on the state of the path, advice on avoiding bogs and tricky situations, tips on how to determine which bump is actually the summit in misty weather... this is the only guide to the Munros you'll ever need.

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xvi<br />

INTRODUCTION<br />

THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS<br />

he Scottish Highlands are<br />

T characterised <strong>by</strong> a patchwork of<br />

mountains separated <strong>by</strong> deep glens,<br />

<strong>the</strong> result of glacial erosion in <strong>the</strong><br />

distant past. On a global scale <strong>the</strong><br />

mountains reach an insignificant<br />

height, <strong>to</strong>pping out at 1344m/4409ft<br />

on Ben Nevis. But in form <strong>the</strong>y hold<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir own against any range in <strong>the</strong><br />

world, many rising bold and beautiful<br />

from sea-level. For hillwalkers <strong>the</strong>y<br />

On Beinn<br />

Achaladair<br />

have distinct advantages over higher<br />

mountain ranges: <strong>the</strong>ir height is ideal<br />

for day walks and glens give easy<br />

road access.<br />

Moreover, <strong>the</strong> variety of mountain<br />

forms and landscapes is arguably<br />

greater than in any mountainous area<br />

of equivalent size. This is due <strong>to</strong> many<br />

fac<strong>to</strong>rs, notably differing regional<br />

geology and <strong>the</strong> influence of <strong>the</strong> sea.<br />

In an attempt <strong>to</strong> give some order<br />

<strong>to</strong> this complexity, <strong>the</strong> Highlands are<br />

traditionally divided in<strong>to</strong> six regions, as<br />

detailed below. <strong>The</strong> potted overviews<br />

mislead in that <strong>the</strong>y mask <strong>the</strong> variety<br />

within each region, ignore numerous<br />

exceptions <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> rule and reflect road<br />

access as much as discernible regional<br />

boundaries, but <strong>the</strong>y serve as<br />

introduc<strong>to</strong>ry descriptions.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Highlands<br />

46 <strong>Munros</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> Central Highlands<br />

73 <strong>Munros</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> Cairngorms<br />

50 <strong>Munros</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> Western Highlands<br />

62 <strong>Munros</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Highlands<br />

38 <strong>Munros</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> Islands<br />

13 <strong>Munros</strong><br />

Gentle, green and accessible, with scope for a great<br />

variety of mountain walks.<br />

A combination of all <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r regions, with some of<br />

<strong>the</strong> greatest rock faces in <strong>the</strong> country.<br />

Great rolling plateaus, vast corries, remote mountain<br />

sanctuaries, sub-arctic ambience.<br />

Dramatic landscapes, endless seascapes, narrow<br />

ridges, arrowhead peaks, rugged terrain.<br />

Massive, monolithic mountains rising out of a<br />

desolate, watery wilderness.<br />

Exquisite mountainscapes, knife-edge ridges,<br />

sky-high scrambling, maritime ambience.

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