No new Munros, but one demotion
The Munro Society held their press conference today to give the survey results of the four mountains they have been measuring this summer.
The results are as follows:
Beinn Teallach (NN361849) north of Loch Moy. 914.60m. The NE summit is apparently 0.5m higher than the SW summit, the one with the cairn.
Ben Vane (NN277098) north-east of Loch Lomond. 915.76m. Apparently a rock outcrop on the summit plateau is higher than the cairn.
Sgurr a’ Choire-Bheithe (NG895015) in the Rough Bounds of Knoydart. 913.32m. Obviously doesn’t quite make it to Munro height so retains its Corbett status.
Sgurr nan Ceannaichean (NH087480) south-east of Glen Carron. 913.43m. Was previously 915m so has now been demoted to Corbett status. The SE corner of the plateau area is 0.91m higher than the base of the main cairn.
The work was carried out by John Barnard and Graham Jackson of the Munro Society, along with Myrddyn Phillips. Their competence and accuracy have been recognised by the Ordnance Survey and the Scottish Mountaineering Club. The changes will feature in the next publication of OS maps and SMC Munros and Cortbetts guidebooks.
I must confess I’m a little disappointed that Sgurr nan Ceannaichean has been demoted as it’s a much finer hill than its near neighbour Moruisg, which remains a Munro. However, I guess most hillwalkers will want to climb the two hills together making it a classic Munro/Corbett combination. At the same time I’m relieved that Sgurr a’ Choire-bheithe has avoided promotion to Munro status. It’s a wild, lonely hill protected by long miles, very rough terrain and often difficult river crossings.
Iain Robertson of the Munro Society said they have a large number of other hills in their in-tray awaiting re-survey but that will have to wait until they raise the funds to do the work.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Surprise there are more to re-survey, tables to be revised yet again. More books to re-sell and maps to. Money is in them hills.
September 10th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
I’m sure your cynicism is tongue-in-cheek Martin. The Munro Society has no axe to grind, no books to sell, no money to make. Indeed, it’s only been by the generosity of one of their members that they’ve been able to afford to re-survey these hills.
September 11th, 2009 at 11:02 am
I’m not sure why you should be disappointed that Sgurr nan Ceannaichean has become a Corbett Cameron. Being Munro status doesn’t confer any superiority over lower hills, Corbetts or otherwise, and I’ll be surprised if you disagree with that! Like you though, and for the same reasons, I’m glad that Sgurr a’ Choire-Bheithe retains Corbett status.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Out of interest, have the Munro Society publicised the cost of surveying these 4 mountains? I find it remarkable in these days of GPS and satellite imagery that we’d need to plonk 3 people on the summit for hours on end to take these measurements. Being more than halfway through my own Round I’d be keen to understand the full extent of any possible future changes to the Tables!
September 11th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Craig,
I don’t think the Munro Society have expressly publicised how much it costs them to survey the hills but they have given credit to one of their members, Clem Clements, who funded two of the expeditions. The Society says it will tackle more surveys as funds become available.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Hi Cameron,
I can’t believe that one of the few ‘munros’ that I hve actually ascended has been demoted! How demotivating!!! Never mind, at least I still have 270 others to try!!!
Anna
September 11th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
“I’m sure your cynicism is tongue-in-cheek Martin. The Munro Society has no axe to grind, no books to sell, no money to make.”
Tongue-in-cheek yes and I agree the Munro Society is not out to make money. But be assured others will rush no doubt with updated books and revised guides.
I like Chris with his summing up today with.. “But ticking off the hills should only be the superficial reason for climbing them. Exploration, beauty, adventure, nature, wildness, freedom are all far, far more important”
September 12th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Anna,
Lovely to hear from you. At least that’s a Corbett you’ve climbed!
Martin,
I hardly think there will be a rush to update and republish guidebooks on the basis of one Munro deletion. I know in my own case it will merely be a hassle. I agree with Chris’ summation but surely these are the reasons the vast majority of Munro-baggers climb hills.
September 13th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
“I can’t believe that one of the few ‘munros’ that I have actually ascended has been demoted!”
Hi Anna,
Whether it’s SMC revisions or Munro Society surveys, your recent experience is likely to be repeated several times during your Munro years!
No matter though, you’ll still have had great days on the hill.
Gibson
September 14th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Anyone wishing to gain a historical perspective on the changes that have taken place to The Tables since they were first published in 1891, in the SMC Journal, should buy or borrow ‘The Munroist’s Companion’, an anthology compiled and edited by Robin N Campbell of the SMC.
There is much of interest here and it contains Campbell’s account of Munro’s ‘Posthumous Completion’ (Campbell does not use ‘Compleation’)of his round in July 1992. Those present at the dinner in Edinburgh in 1991 to celebrate the Centenary of the Tables will remember his hilarious talk.
Those dismayed by the current revisions might also take heart from the fact that as at 1999 (the book’s publication date) “..178 tops have been introduced, deleted, promoted or demoted since 1891″ The game goes on…..but maybe the worst is over.