In Scotland, there are 282 mountains over 914 meters (3,000 feet). They are known as the Munros, after Sir Hugh Munro, who compiled the since-updated list in 1891. Scottish mountaineer Helen Rennard has become just the fifth person, and second woman, to summit them all in winter. She did so in only 80 days, 9.5 hours, setting a new speed record.
Unlike Anna Wells, who last year became the first woman to complete the Munros in winter, Helen Rennard did not announce her attempt until it was complete. Not a particularly active social media user, she didn’t want the pressure of public scrutiny distracting her.
“I was doing it for me alone,” she explained.
But now that it’s finished, she’s able to share the details.
Atop Sgurr nan Clach Geala, Rennard photographed this rainbow. Photo: Helen Rennard
Logistics are everything
There are any number of quotes from famous generals to the effect that logistics are the most important consideration in warfare. These maxims hold equally true, Helen would agree, for Scottish mountaineering records.
Helen was self-supported for most of her round, feeding and transporting herself and planning most of her routes.
“It was partly a major physical challenge, obviously, but it turned out to be a logistical headache too.”
While some have attempted the Munros on foot alone, it isn’t cheating to use a car like Helen did. For nearby hills, she drove back home afterward and ate one of the cooked, frozen meals she’d prepared in advance. When the day ended farther afield, she slept on a mattress in the back of her car.
A Scottish native who’d individually summited every Munro previously, Helen knew the hills well. This was a huge advantage in planning. Even so, her schedule had a significant flaw, which became more and more apparent as her attempt went on: there wasn’t enough time to sleep.
Imagine tackling the ‘traveling salesman problem’ but you also have to climb an average of 3.5 mountains per day. Photo: Munro Map
The mental game
She’d saved some of the toughest hills for the end, when late winter meant more sunlight. But as she began to take on those long, hard days, sleep deprivation became a real problem.
“There just aren’t enough hours in the night for sleep,” Helen reflected, and the resulting brain fog began to slow her down. Luckily, she had a number of friends she could call on to keep her company and provide emotional and logistical support. Famous UK trail runner Nicky Spinks, for instance, stepped in to help on the Rigby Round. This particularly tough round comprises 18 successive Munros in the Cairngorms region.
She completed significant stretches alone, though. On the ridge between two Munros, Mullach Fraoch-choire and A Chralaig, Helen had a hard fall. The sharp rock she’d landed on dug a deep, coin-sized hole in her shin. She limped the five kilometers back to her car and drove home, stunned and exhausted. Waking up with blood-soaked sheets, Helen realized how serious the injury was and sought medical attention.
After three stitches and tight wrapping, Rennard got back on the trail. Pushing through with painkillers and determination worked but at a physical cost. The wound barely healed, continuing to fester and hurt as she strained. Now that she’s finished her round, it’s finally got the chance to begin healing.
Other challenges besides her injury included bad weather, broken equipment, and the emotional stress of being alone in the mountains.
“I can’t quite believe that I managed to keep it together for 80 days,” she admitted.
Rennard on 956m Buachaille Etive Mor – Stob na Broige, one of the lowest Munros. Photo: Helen Rennard
Walking the hills
Including Rennard, only five people have completed all the Munros in one winter. But the climbing tradition around them extends beyond winter records, with a large, dedicated community. In 2022, for instance, they came together to cheer for then 82-year-old Nick Gardner, as he became the oldest person to complete the Munros.
There is even a site dedicated to the Munros, hosting an interactive map, route planner, and checklist. Completing the Munros is more than a physical or even mental challenge. It is also a celebration of the beautiful and challenging landscape.
“I love the Scottish hills deeply and feel very lucky to have had such an intense experience in them,” Rennard concluded afterward. “The memories from this round will last forever.”
