In Sutherland, the far northwest corner of Scotland, the villagers of Rhiconich and Kinlochbervie were divided on the matter of the height of the local mountain - Foinavan.

There had been a long argument as to whether Foinaven did, or did not, reach the magical height of 3,000 ft, and hence qualify for Munro status. Some hoped it did, thinking it would benefit the local economy with tourism. Others would rather it not, fearing being overrun by a tide of Munro-baggers.

To settle the debate once and for all, the Munro Society asked a firm of professional surveyors from Falkirk to measure the peak. And in May two of their surveyors, assisted by ten members of the Society, scaled Foinaven. They measured its Ganu Mor summit using the latest satellite positioning technology in an exercise which took over 13 hours. The result? They found that it was only 2,988ft - 12ft short. But that day at least, both sides may have won. No doubt upon descent the surveying party adjorned to a local hostelry to drown their sorrows (to the benefit of tourism), but it looks unlikely that they will be followed by a succession of Munro baggers.

Meanwhile in northwest Wales the Welsh Language Committee of Gwynedd Council were concerned about the use of English only names for crags and climbs in climbing guidebooks. Hold on a minute. Are there Welsh names for these crags and climbs anyway? Certainly there are names for many crags, those which were of note or concern to the shepherds of the hills. In the Glyderau for example, “Twll Du” was so-called long before someone likened it to the Devil’s Kitchen. In order to ensure that for any one location the names in both Welsh and English for natural environment features are collected, I’ll be grateful to receive all your local examples. When it comes to names of individual climbs, it’s probable that only English names exist – a case of first climb, first name. However it is possible that Welsh climbers may have coined a Welsh name around the same time, or subsequently. Do any climbers have, or know of, original Welsh names (not translations) for climbs such as Central Buttress, Grooved Arete, Pinnacle Rib, Thomson’s Chimney or Knight’s Move Slab? If so, do let me know at ymholiadau@clwbmynyddacymru.com.

Following the National Assembly elections in May, by now we hopefully have a majority coalition government in Wales. The outgoing Minister for the Mountains, Alan Pugh, lost his seat. The initial minority Labour Government appointed Carwyn Jones to the portfolio, which includes mountaineering. What should the BMC in Wales push for? Control of motorised vehicles in the mountains? Dogs on a lead anywhere in the mountains? Following up Freedom of Access with physical measures to access open country without climbing over walls? Do send all suggestions to that revitalised body, the BMC Wales Area. 
 

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