A Harrowing Tale of Bravery (Dave)

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On the boys' last day in Edinburgh, we decided to attempt to “summit” Arthur's Seat, a forbidding mountain that looms menacingly over Edinburgh. Maria declined to go, citing "shopping fever", and calling our attempt "sheer madness."

11:13 am: We depart base camp, catching the #27 bus downtown, and switching to the #35 to Holyrood after securing provisions. We opt not to bring oxygen, as the summit is only about 1000 feet above sea level. I would come to regret that decision.

11:43am: We begin our ascent using the traditional "western route" along Salisbury Crags. However, in our first setback, we find that route blocked due to rock slides. It starts to rain. We consider hiring a Sherpa, but decide against it.

11:50am: It is raining hard now, and we have begun our ascent using the shorter but steeper "eastern route.". The boys have broken out the heavy weather gear (umbrellas). I stop to rest. I am passed by two stout ladies and their dachsund.

12:17 pm: The boys are probably at the summit as I reach the plateau immediately below the summit. (I took the video you see above from this point to record the wind conditions.)

12:40 pm: I have reached the summit, where the boys have set up camp (see photo). There are about 10 people at the top, and another 20 or so making their way up or down from the plateau. I wonder how many of us will make it back alive. Probably everybody, although I am wondering about one of the stout ladies. It is cold. We eat. Michael declares his sausage roll "disgusting," and refuses to eat it. He then asks me if he can have a third jaffa cake (sweet cookie). I say no. He asks 8 more times.

1:02 pm: I begin my descent before the boys, promising to wait for them at the plateau.

1:12.pm: The boys play hide and seek at the plateau, while I read. A last moment of calm before the treacherous descent.

1:47 pm: We are descending, near the bottom. Just after I take the picture you see below of the boys descending, tragedy strikes! In a cruel twist of fate, Jack has left his hat behind at the plateau and must make a dangerous trek back a few hundred meters up steep terrain to recover it. We say a prayer and he is off. He returns with the hat a few minutes later. We all breathe a sigh of relief.

2:11 pm: We reach the foot of the mountain, cold, tired, and wondering when one of those news magazines will do a story about our ordeal.

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Photos

Path Blocked
We would have to find another way to the top.

Nasty Weather
With the mountain taunting us, the rains came. Oh it rained that day my friend.

Jack at the Summit
Putting on a brave face

Summit Camp
The boys take refuge from mother nature in a ravine.

Hide and Seek
at the plateau

The Descent
Those specks are Michael and Jack coming down from the top

Comments

[Marie Forman]

Dave...you are brave...and funny!
So glad you made it back alive to share the tale....a sure thing for future generations to hear. It will go something like, "I remember the time in Scotland when the Mrs. went shopping and the boys and I defied death....yada, yada, yada!" They'll LOVE it! All kidding aside....I'm so glad you had a cool last day. I'll talk to you when you guys get back. Thanks for the blog...it was fun stuff to see and read! Have a safe journey home. Marie