Route description: Beinn a'Chaorainn and beinn Teallach Munros included on this walk: Beinn a'Chaorainn, Beinn Teallach Time taken: 5.5 hours Distance: 16km Ascent: 1172m |
Wullie and I are good mates, despite the recent jibes I'd been aiming in his direction about his advancing years, but I certainly had not anticipated the revelation that was to come just 10 mins in to the walk. I became aware that he was already a few yards behind me and walking rather erratically, As I stopped to investigate he boldy announced that he 'couldn't get his pole to lengthen' !! followed by 'I've not used it in years and now I can't get it to work' !! My age related quips had only been in relation to him slowing down, I had no idea the actual consequences were quite so serious ! Fortunately we were in the middle of a secluded forrest so being the good mate I am I immediately offered my assistance. I pulled, tugged and twisted, even clamping it between my legs but it stubbornley refused to get bigger. I was putting in maximun effort, moaning and breathing heavily through the exertion but continuing to fail miserably. Such was the desperation to succeed I considered taking his pole in my mouth and using my teeth but decided against doing so due to the risk of permanently marking the shaft. With hindsight lubrication would probably have been a great help but in the end we had to admit defeat, he would just have to walk today with the one walking pole !!!