Now most Challengers are home again, I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their help, support and friendship after my 'tumble' down Streap Comhlaidh on Sunday 11th May.

150 metres felt like a long way to go and I am VERY grateful the following folks:

Heather Thomas-Smith, who I was walking with, for her clear head, superb first aid and support as we walked out to the Fort William-Glenfinnan road.

Challenge Control were amazing, supporting & liasing with us and mountain rescue throughout.

Roger Boston made me the best mushroom soup at Gleann Dubh Lighe Bothy and then carried my pack to the road and along it till we were picked up and taken to the Prince's House Hotel, who made us very welcome and comfortable.

Dr. Ali Ogden drove from Newtonmore to Glenfinnan the next morning, checked me over, changed my dressings and took me back to the hostel for some much needed TLC!

Thanks also to all the Challengers I met along the way and at Montrose for your friendship and support!

What a great community the Challenge is and I'm proud to be a part of it!

Here endeth the lesson ... ha ha!

David

David, we are all just thankful to see you in one piece --- and sitting down again!

And walking out after a fall like that ... RESPECT!

Well done to Heather for excellent first aid and a cool head.

I'll second Phil's comments, and was just glad to see you were O.K. pillows included.94wa

We are all just very glad you are still with us David as that fall and the rocks that went with you could have meant a very different outcome that we don't wish to think about. Slipping on wet steep ground can so easily happen when we make our descent off the hills and when wearing a heavy pack it is nigh impossible to stop the fall, but perhaps the pack offered its own protection too. I know you are badly battered and bruised, were badly gashed and have cracked ribs but these things are all on the mend and let us hope there are no lasting implications. A good physio now required to help with those poor muscles that had such a hammering. I take my hat off to you for sticking with me in my efforts to get you out after warming up and resting in your tent at the bottom and letting me cajole you all the way to the bothy and beyond. Thanks you so much to John Manning, TGO Control, Roger Boston, Ali Ogden, Sue & Neil at Newtonmore Hostel for their support and the MR for being on standby should things have got worse. H x

Someone was looking over you sir.
And the Challenge family came good again.
See you soon I hope fella.

PS Not the falling bit but the surviving bit, in case you wondered!

Thought I'd post a wee update as it's just over seven weeks since my tumble on Streap.

xrays have shown 'crush fractures' to the 7th and 9th Vertebrae of my Thoracic spine. GP says no running, jumping, weight-lifting or hill-walking for the next while!

I am attending an Orthopedic clinic at Ayr Hospital next week, so will be interested to see what they say or do ...

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying all your Challenge write-ups and photos. I put a couple of albums of pics I took on Facebook. Cheers, David

Best wishes for your recovery

So, you should be back in training around September time ... just in time to apply for ...

All the best for a good and thorough recovery!

Hi David . Collecting litter down Affric arouses an interest . But would it in others . Can it instill a caring instinct . I try to explain to a group of local ramblers . It is hard work . Wish you all success in in your work . I enjoyed your company on that years challenge . best wishes bill h.

Hi there David,

Thanks God that you didn´t take off straight into paradise and for the caring people out there who came to your assistance.

Challengers are definitely in good hands.

Very best wishes,

Markus