An 82-year-old Scot has just completed a challenge he set for himself to climb all of Scotland’s 282 Munros (mountains 3,000 feet/914m or higher). The former teacher from Gairloch in the Highlands made the pledge when his wife had to go into care and took on the challenge as a way of coping with his wife’s condition.
Mr Gardner said ahead of his first climb: “My wife, Janet has Alzheimer’s Disease and Osteoporosis, and I would like to do something to benefit sufferers and carers everywhere. I was 80 in April 2020 and my challenge is to raise £50,000 for Alzheimer Scotland and the Royal Osteoporosis Society by climbing all 282 Munros in 1200 days.”
Gardner in fact completed the task hundreds of days ahead of schedule and walked over 3,200 kms or 2,000 miles and is now thought to be one of the oldest ‘Munro Baggers’, those who conquer Scotland’s Munros, in history. One of his daughters has nominated him to Guinness World Records for the oldest person to climb all of Scotland’s Munros.
Gardner has so far raised over £80,000 for his causes and to donate see: www.justgiving.com/team/nicks-munro-challenge