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From: michael stephen fuchs
To: Tim Corrigan
Subject: Big Bens
Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2006 17:11:32 +0100

Oh, and by the bye - would you have any interest in taking a
crack at Ben Nevis, perhaps in August?

  http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/fortwilliam/bennevis/

  http://www.munromagic.com/MountainInfo.cfm?Mountain=1

Might make sense to strike while the irons - it's summer,
you're off, I'm off, we're thinking of it, we're already
buying hiking kit - are hot.

msf




From: Tim Corrigan
To: michael stephen fuchs
Subject: Re: kit
Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2006 21:48:52 +0100

Hi!

Ben Nevis.. well... yes. in theory.. Only thing putting me off
is the shear distance from here to there.. - it's a good 8
days bike ride from Lands End anyway :) However, we are both
free in August so it's seems silly not to. Might want to
combine it with something in Scotland to make the trip
worthwhile - I'll have a think..

Tim




From: michael stephen fuchs
To: darby
Subject: Re: Big Bens
Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2006 17:50:52 +0100

Dear Dargbles,

Quick heads-up: Was speaking with Tim last night (the other
definite on the Cornwall Coast Path Walk), who just got back
from climbing Scafell Pike - tallest peak in England, in the
Lake District (apparently we were in the neighbourhood). He'd
mentioned wanting to try knock off the other two of the big
three at some point (Snowdon in Wales, Ben Nevis in Scotland).
I asked him if Ben Nevis could be done as a non-technical
climb. He said, "In summer." 8^)

You'd be welcome - and it might be good for you, both in being
a fairly big new challenge, and being economical of time.

It's totally speculative at this point; haven't even heard
back from him. But I'm very keen.

msf

P.S. This is the Tim who did the Land's End -> John O'Groats
ride, solo.

        http://www.timcorrigan.com/




From: michael stephen fuchs
To: Tim Corrigan
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2006 10:37 PM
Subject: Re: kit


At 21:48 30/07/2006, you wrote:

> Now.. Ben Nevis.. well... yes. in theory.

Excellent. I mentioned it to Darby, who did the C2C. She might
be keen. And a cute blonde nuclear engineer always livens a
trekking party up. She's also handy for patching up fences, &c.


> Only thing putting me off is the shear distance from here to
> there.. - it's a good 8 days bike ride from Lands End anyway

You'd be amazed how much train travel cuts that down. Looks
like about 9.5 hours from London Euston (and £100 or so rail
fare). That's not nothing - but it's a hell of a lot quicker
and cheaper than getting to Everest base camp.  8^)


> Might want to combine it with something in Scotland to make
> the trip worthwhile - I'll have a think..

It's an excellent point. We can see what's in the
neighbourhood; I'll probably go ahead and buy a guide book.

It also occurs to me that since the mountain itself is a day
hike, we might not want to bring camping gear at all. This
means we'll need to get hostel/B&B reservations soon.

Have a great trip on the Southdowns - sounds stellar.

Michael




From: Tim Corrigan
To: michael stephen fuchs
Subject: Re: kit
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 09:03:40 +0100

Hiya,

Yes we wouldn't necessarily need to camp for Ben Nevis..
Yeah booking might be tricky in August so.. in that light I'll
say I'm definitely in so we can move plans forward. I'm free
anytime in the 3rd or 4th week in August. I'm thinking maybe a
day each way travelling, and 2-4 days doing nice outdoor
things in Scotland. Take your point about it not being that
far really.. I kind of mean it is far just to do a one day
walk :) Transport wise I think your right train is probably
the best option. Just to throw into the mix flying and driving
aren't impossible..

So find out if Darby is definite, pick some dates and lets do
it! I'm happy to help with booking things..

Tim




From: michael stephen fuchs
To: Tim Corrigan
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 1:42 PM
Subject: Re: kit

That's the spirit! (You seem to share in the secret of those
who are good at "doing things" in life. That secret seems to
be, I think, doing them.)

Whatsay we call it the 21st through 25th (M-F) for Operation
Big Ben? . . . If that sounds okay to you, I'll start calling
around this afternoon and see what can be done.

You're right I prefer train if that's okay with you. I'm
always somewhat averse to driving - as it's far and away the 
single most dangerous activity in modern life.

Onward.

Happy cycling! Don't peddle off of anything!

Michael




From: Tim Corrigan
To: michael stephen fuchs
Subject: Re: kit
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 19:07:46 +0100

Great..

21st to 25th is a definite go for me.


> I'm always somewhat averse to driving - as it's far and away
> the single most dangerous activity in modern life

An excellent and valid point.. but... don't you have a motor
bike??!

Tim




From: michael stephen fuchs
To: "Tim Corrigan" 
Subject: Re: kit
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 19:15:26 +0100


At 19:07 31/07/2006, you wrote:
> 21st to 25th is a definite go for me.

Rock. Will take a stab at making camp site reservations in the
next day (or possibly two).


> An excellent and valid point.. but... don't you have a motor
> bike??!

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." -
Ralph Waldo Emerson  ;^)

Actually, it's not quite as hypocritical as it sounds . . .
will elaborate on the mountain.

Michael