MAKING ALL THE RIGHT MOVES FROM NOVICE TO COMPLETIST

EVERY Munros finish is a singularly personal story. It's also one of continuous character growth and reaching that final summit always unleashes a whirlwind of emotions.

It was no different for Lisa Houston when she passed under the now traditional ceremonial tunnel to touch the cairn on Beinn a' Bhuird recently for her grand finale. Not bad for someone who climbed their first Munro just over six years ago.

That was Beinn Ghlas near Killin and it wasn't part of any grand plan or ambition, simply a walk to accompany a friend who was struggling with everyday life. Inexperienced and ill-equipped, they made the wise choice to turn back from the continuation to Ben Lawers with the weather taking a turn for the worse.

It seemed the seed was sown though, even if the timing turned out to be unfortunate: a few months later, the whole country shut down due to the Covid pandemic.

Lisa had always enjoyed the outdoors and although she had never climbed any of her local hills in Fife, she had been on plenty of family walks and camping trips as a youngster. Her new-found focus meant she ran every day during lockdown, keeping her fitness sharp for the grand re-opening day.

When I first met Lisa she was still very much a mountain novice, but she was getting out in the hills regularly and learning quickly with her partner at the time. When they went their separate ways she took it in her stride and continued on an upward trajectory.

The learning curve was fast. She shook off a potentially serious fall coming off The Devil's Point when her heavy pack caused an overbalance; she overcame her fear of heights while ticking off the spiky summits of the Black Cuillin. The growth in confidence meant solo outings became more regular: from the easy pickings of The Cairnwell three she progressed to bagging multiple peaks along the big ridges of the north-west. Her climbing skills also matured, and she has taken on serious routes in summer and winter conditions.

A couple of years ago, Lisa qualified as a summer mountain leader and was able to guide parties over the hills that had once seemed so formidable. She has since completed her training as a winter leader and hopes to get her qualification later this year.

Going from 0 to 282 in six years is not record breaking, but it is rapid progression considering the entry level and what is especially impressive is that she has ticked every box along the way. It's a fine example to others who are just starting out about what can be achieved with the right approach and preparation, the willingness to learn and step up. It also stems from a love affair with the mountains and their undoubted capacity to help keep the black dog on a long leash. Lisa said she knew almost from the first instant that she wanted to complete the Munros. No hesitation at all. The drive, the intention, was there from the beginning. As we sat and chatted mountains, her face lit up, her expressions became more animated, a sure sign that the landscape had captured her heart. When asked for her favourite memories, it was though she were whisked away to another time and another place; she was no longer sitting in a bookshop, she was standing on the pinnacles during a magical day on Liathach gazing over those magnificent surroundings. It seemed a shame to have to break the spell.

And so back to Beinn a' Bhuird and the big finish. I've always felt that the final Munro is not just the end of one journey but the start of a new one. The second last Munro is often the more emotional, the last barrier to the final fling. Once that's done you can relax.

Lisa was nodding along in agreement. Her penultimate day was a tough one, three Munros in the heart of Glen Affric, An Socach, Mullach na Dheiragain and finally the high and mighty Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan, a long way in and a long way out. But by the time she had made it out, she knew she could switch into party mode.

Now she will turn her attention to the Corbetts. And a second round of Munros, of course, taking her time and visiting all those summits that remained hidden first time out. I suspect it won't take her too long.

When we bumped into each other at the Dundee Mountain Film Festival 18 months ago, Lisa introduced me to her friend who had just started ticking off the Munros. There was a touch of deja vu about it all, a feeling that I had had a similar conversation six years earlier. I would not be surprised if another completion party wasn't that far away.