Beauty and the Bog: Embrace the wild, where every step reveals the hidden wonders of nature.
We’re Lisa and Libby, two friends and fell running buddies from Sheffield. Since 2012, we enjoyed enjoying running and competing in local running events and challenges together, and this summer we have an even bigger challenge ahead of us. We will be attempting to climb all 282 of the Scottish mountains over 3,000ft (the Munros) and to cycle between them.
Travelling 100% under our own steam, our challenge will involve 1,000 miles of running and walking (often over pathless and rough terrain), 1,000 miles of cycling, a few miles of sea kayaking, and 149,000 metres of ascent (that’s 17 times the height of Everest - eek!).
Navigation: not to be underestimated
The Munro round is on the wish list of many walkers, but most people take a decade or two to complete their round, tackling a few at a time and driving to the foot of each mountain. Not many people have tackled the continuous self-propelled round, and even fewer women (in fact, only 3!). We decided to dream big and have a go, hopefully inspiring more women to get out into the mountains along the way. We aim to complete our challenge in 80 days and, if we succeed, this will be the fastest women’s time, which currently stands at 113 days.
This is not only going to a great physical challenge, but it also logistically difficult. We are lucky enough to have a support van which will be our home for the majority of the trip and have roped family and friends into driving it around for us, meeting us at road points to switch bikes and kit, and do the shopping!, and will be tweeting @Libbykerr4 and @Lisa_Trollope) with the hashtag #munros2017.
We begin on the Isle of Mull on the 3rd July. If you are in Scotland, look out for the big red van and come and say hi!