Ben Vrackie Climb GASSHUKU


Karate is like climbing a Mountain. Life, too, is like climbing a Mountain. It is important to try hard to reach the top at your own pace. Once You are on top, You can look all around. If you stay at the bottom, you can only look up.

Soshu Shigeru Oyama

 BEN VRACKIE

 (SENSE I'S DAY OUT)


You will no doubt hear a lot of tales from our day out at Ben Vrackie, but 1 have decided to tell

about this day out from my experiences of the day. Firstly, let me explain how this came about,

traditional karateka have throughout history taken themselves off on a challenging walk or

experience to test themselves both physically and mentally. This is called a Gasshukua.

I personally do this about six to ten times a year, usually on my own, but sometimes inviting other karateka to join me. In past years various adult Ippon members have joined me for climbs up Birnam Hill, various potholing expeditions in Gloucestershire, swimming with sharks off the

south coast of England, gorge walking in Strathbran, and our ever popular trip to the chain walk at Elie. Ben Vrackie however was not my idea. Originally, certain members of your club decided

to climb Ben Nevis this year, but on further research they decided a climb to the top of Ben

Vrackie was a more suitable choice for their Gasshukua.

Until the morning of the climb I hadnot decided whether I would be going or not, and the intrepid expedition were given instructions not to wait for me. I have a long term medical condition (diabetes) which can cause extreme pain in my legs when walking any distance.

I therefore decided on the morning of the climb to set off forty minutes earlier than the 10.30 a.m. start planned by the expedition.

I thought this would give me a chance to stop occasionally and allow the blood supply to take

oxygen to my leg muscles and give me a chance of completing the climb. I left a note on my car

addressed to the Ippon Karate Club, at this point I did not know if anyone else would turn up,

or if they would get my note (the note was found and duly read by everyone). I told of my

disappointment in the lack of Sherpa's to carry my lunch and other necessary items.

I also informed them I was wearing a bright red shirt to help with my rescue by mountain rescue

volunteers and RAF helicopter crews. I also informed them of my safety precaution of roping my

legs together on the steep bits in case one leg should slip (sensible precautions I thought). On

leaving the car park I immediately noticed a sign reminding me that many people are killed on

Scottish hills, and telling me of all the essential equipment I would need for my climb.

My first thought was I should have had four Sherpa's not two, however in true Ippon style I pushed on regardless.

Half an hour later and one sausage roll, one banana, and one biscuit (well that was

less to carry on my back), I reached the open moor and saw the summit of Ben Vrackie in the

distance, 1 also saw a further warning notice identical to the one in the car park. I wondered at

this point if anyone had found my note in the car park and indeed if anyone else had turned up.

I covered the next two miles of open moor land at a gentle pace, stopping frequently to take

photographs of the stunning views, and interesting alpine flowers including a beautiful pink

orchid. Some way up the track I met two walkers coming down, I asked them how far it was to

the Loch, they said only fifteen minutes.

Twenty five minutes later and no sign of the loch I stopped two shepherds on a quad bike and asked if they were a taxi for Anderson. They just laughed and disappeared over the hill never to be seen again. My offer of a sausage roll each didn't seem to be enough currency to change their day's plans, disappointed, but not surprised, I continued on my way for a further fifteen minutes until I found the loch. 1 had a further sausage roll at the Loch and then decided to push on up the hardest part to the summit. I glanced back down the path and there was still no sign of other Ippon members, but I was determined to take a photograph at the summit. I'd climbed about two hundred and fifty feet when I heard a familiar voice in the distance, instantly recognisable as Charlene! My camera has a twenty one times focus, but even at that I wasn't sure who was in the group following behind me.

I continued on my climb and about two hundred feet from the top, Gillian appeared, spoke to

me briefly while still walking on the spot, then annoyingly shot on leaving me behind. Gillian

did however tell me the two people 1 met going down the way had passed on the message 'to get a move on' from Sensei. The next person to catch me up was Kevin Walker, between pants he informed me how many calories he had burnt so far, then he offered me a jelly baby from his

giant bag, half empty I hasten to add. A little further up Kevin Grighton appeared gasping for air

and mumbling something about breathing being an issue.

Finally Ally appeared and after a few helpful comments from me, i.e. what kept you and where have you been all day, he made a dash for the summit. Well, the next twenty feet anyway! 1 caught this group up at the summit fully expecting to see Gillian doing press ups or squat thrusts, because she can, and the mountain rescue in attendance for the others with oxygen masks out, however they were all tucking into lunch.

Luckily 1 had kept back a sausage roll so was able to join them. Charlene and Karen

joined us shortly after this. It turned out to be a very successful day with all of us making the

summit and after many photographs being taken we all ambled back down and headed for the

car park.

None of us wandered too far from Mr. Walker as we all had an interest in helping him

with his diet by eating his remaining jelly babies. I hope more of you will join us on our next

Gasshukua later in the year. If you wish to view the photographs that everyone took, please check out the web site.



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