In reply to Al Evans:
Al
What an odd response: why would you doubt him?
This is definitely not fiction - I know Pete well and can assure you of the truth of this story.
To my mind it was a bloody good effort and simultaneously captures the adventurous spirit of Pete's attitude towards climbing, and the serious potential of the Scottish mainland and island hills. This adventurous attitude is something that we should all aspire to, and I find it completely bizarre that the first thing you thought to do was post something on here (prima facie based on absolutely no evidence, having never met the guy, or even having bothered to find out anything about him and his climbing) to say that you think he's talking rubbish.
"Inconsistencies"!? Lad climbs hard aid route solo in crap conditions in single 21-hour push and forgets a couple of bits of kit and to clip one piece of gear on the brink of hypothermia... Is inconsistent because...?
To Pete: Thanks for posting this - a nicely written piece.
DDD