Skip to main content

Getting the HuMP

Whatever type of personality you are, at some point during your life you'll have a tick list. I have some friends who can't get through a single day without compiling and ticking their lists. Others are a tad more conventional with their wish lists. Then I have some hillwalking friends who are ticking that ultimate hill list The Munros. That ain't me.

There is however a list I have discovered that has pricked my imagination and suits my nonsensical personality - The HuMPs. I came across this website http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/ by accident but I was totally sucked in in seconds. I ignored the lists for the Munros and Corbetts but had a wee poke about in the County Tops page to satisfy my curiosity that I had managed to climb to the top of all the counties that I had lived in bar one of the London Boroughs though I do dispute the one for Edinburgh as it's 12 miles from the city centre in the Pentlands and out with what I thought was the city boundary.

Then the HuMPs page really sucked me in. What a great idea to compile a list of hills with a hundred meter drop all round whatever their height is. As there are a few of them and it does take a wee bit of patience to get to the area you want to look at.  Turns out I have already done a few.  So now I am compiling my own modified version of HuMPs to add to my "must do hills" knowing fine well that the likelihood of me ticking them all is about the same odds as me winning the lottery. Still, it's something to aim for..................

Tinto one of Lanarkshire's HuMPs and one of my first hills
Labels:

Comments

  1. Mike Knipe14 March 2011 at 12:07

    .....this is how it starts.

    Seek help. (just bagged my nearest HuMP just outside Penrith.)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Elaina14 March 2011 at 13:49

    I know Mike, well done on getting the local one done

    At least I know my lack of focus is enough to stop it taking over

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Salomon Mission GTX Boot

I've had these on a few times now and so far they are just what I've been after to get me through the winter for most of my days out. Salomon describe them as being perfect for "light hiking" - take that whatever way you want ;-) They come in at 1210g for the pair and feel fairly easy on the feet. They've handled saturated grassy stuff without me applying the famous arse plant (so far!!). They even seemed to be OK on rocky stuff too. Where I have been really impressed with them is how they handled the snow on Na Gruagaichan. It was hard enough that we were kicking steps. This was easy enough for Steve in his Scarpa SL's and Iain in his La Sportiva Nepals. Initially I followed their steps then decided to give it a go myself. I occasionally had to kick a couple of times on some of the really hard stuff, probably more down to my poor technique than the boot, but they managed well on the cover we had for the ascent. As my balance is rubbish I decided to apply
Post a Comment
Read more

Creag Meagaidh MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Creag Meagaidh has been on the to do list for so long. The past couple of years have seen us have to abort at least three attempts at the last minute because conditions weren't for us. So were we going to get it done this time................. YES  The weather bods said mostly dry with a risk of potential showers later in the day.  It was warm so even if it did rain it would be warm.  Off we set having smothered ourselves in factor 50 and Smidge. Warm they said.......... baking I said!!!! We had decided our ascent would be via Coire Ardair and The Window to ease us into the walk on a good path.  It felt more like a slow roasting.  It is a gorgeous walk out to Coire Ardair on a very good path but as soon as we were out of the forest the heat and humidity kicked in.  When we reached Lochan Coire Ardair there was only one thing on my mind, getting my boots off and getting in.  It was at this point I began having major doubts as to whether we would get this done. Bre
Post a Comment
Read more

Mullach Clach a'Bhlair

Our ascent of Geal Charn Mhor had given us food for thought on what was to be our next hill target.  We'd had notions on either Braeraich or  Beinn Mheadhoin but the lack of winter equipment and uncertainty on the true extent of the snow cover put those ideas on hold for the time being. So maps were scoured and the Glen Feshie hills were winning out.  Steve had already done both Munros, Rob and I had done one (though not the same one) and Kate hadn't done any of them.  A cunning plan was hatched that meant we could all start at the same point but we would split into two groups.  Rob and Kate would head for Sgor Gaoith while Steve and I would go for  Mullach Clach a'Bhlair. The Glen Feshie Estate have done an amazing amount of path work which makes the ascent up Coire Fhearnagan to the beallach an absolute pleasure.  We hit the snow line around 700m but thankfully it wasn't too steep.   The traverse over to Mullach Clach a'Bhlair required a w
Post a Comment
Read more