Muckish - 5th September 1999. The Glover Marathon was being held on Saturday 12th September 1999. The last one of the 20th Century. All available members of the North West Mountaineering Club (NWMC) were to mark out the trail from the bottom of the "Miners' Path" on Muckish to the peak of Errigal. Those who gathered in Letterkenny were divided into groups and so covered all the hills in between. The climbing section of the NWMC decided to do the Miners' Path to Muckish summit and then some climbing on McSwynes Buttress on Muckish. In the small band of climbers were Alan Tees, Brian Johnston, Kieran Gallagher and Columba McLaughlin. Joe Ferris, his wife Attracta and daughter Róisin went along to walk the Miners' Path to Muckish's summit and assist in marking the trail. After marking the trail we made a quick traverse to the base of McSwynes Buttress. Brian and Kieran went to climb the popular 'Lord Inchiquin' (S 4a). Meanwhile, Alan led up 'The Wizard' (VS 4b). As I was seconding, I had no choice but to follow. I asked Alan about 'Tory Canyon' (S 4a) and without further ado he was on his way up it. No bother to 'El Presidente' himself. Of course I had to go 2nd to collect all the gear. We were on a wide ledge at this point and Alan decided to put up a new climb 'Fadge' (Diff.). This is about 6 metres right of 'Leitrim's Ladder'. Alan then gave me the honour of leading another new climb about 1 metre left of 'Fadge'. We called it 'Surge' (VS 4c). It has a hard start and was strenuous on the fingers. After that we descended to the base of 'Lord Inchiquin' to find Brian and Kieran nearing the top. We met up with all the other members of the NWMC at the 'Glenveigh Inn' for a well deserved pint and the cráic.
Slán go fóill, Columba