Anna Wells completes the winter climb of all 83 Munros - all those Scottish mountains that are higher than 282 meters - within 914,4 days. She is the fourth person and the first woman to succeed in this endeavor.
It's exactly a week before the end of the astrological winter Anna Wells on the 282nd and final summit of their project. The Scottish woman had risen to the challenge, as had everyone in the winter munros to climb. All mountains in their homeland that are higher than 3000 feet or 914,4 meters are considered Munros. Anna Wells needed a total of 83 days for her mega project. She fought many of them in the most adverse weather conditions.
The finale on the Cairngorm was everything I had dreamed of.
Anna Wells
First woman to successfully climb all Munros in winter
The Munros are not unfamiliar terrain for the trained climbing instructor and mountain guide. She regularly takes clients to the Scottish Highlands for the Rock and Trails agency.
Anna Wells started her marathon ascent of the 282 Munros on December 22nd. The goal in mind was to reach all the peaks in the winter and perhaps even be faster than Martin Moran, who first achieved this feat in the winter of 84/85.
This challenge fits in very well with my enthusiasm for letting off steam in the mountains.
Anna Wells
Trailer for Kevin Wood's winter climb of all 282 Munros
Scottish weather par excellence
During the following 83 days, the Scot experienced various mental ups and downs, caused by illness or various days that were much tougher than expected. Overall, the most challenging thing was the terrible weather.
We had so many storms that I pretty strategically chose the hills where I would have less exposure at the top.
Anna Wells
Despite wind, cold, wet, illness and injuries, the Scot managed an average of 3 Munros per day. In the last week of the project and with the astrological start of spring approaching, she stepped up her game again and climbed five to eight mountains per day.
And so it happened that on March 13th she was able to be celebrated by friends and supporters on Cairngorm Mountain, peak number 282. Anna Wells is not only the fourth person to complete all Munros in one winter, but also the first woman to do so.
I feel really lucky and privileged to have been able to do what I love for three months and I love hearing people say it inspired them to get out there!
Anna Wells
Munro FAQ
Mountains in Scotland are called Munros.
All mountains in the Scottish Highlands that are higher than 3000 feet or 914,4 meters are considered Munros. The highest point in Scotland is Ben Nevis.
A total of 282 Munros have been surveyed and mapped in Scotland.
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Credits: Cover picture @abacusmountainguides