Sitting on the formidable and airy Bolster Stone atop the Inaccessible Pinnacle on Skye’s Cuillin ridge today, Quinn Young became the youngest person to complete two rounds of 282 Munros. Aged just 12, the Inverness girl has reached the summit of all of Scotland’s tallest peaks twice in less than nine years.
She has been accompanied on every mountain outing by her dad Ian, who also finished his third Munro round earlier this month.
A delighted Quinn said: “I am really happy and proud of myself today. I really like being on the Cuillin Ridge and the In Pinn is one of my favourite Munro summits.
“But I am also a bit sad because it feels like the end of a big adventure with my dad.”
Munros are defined as being at least 3000ft (914.4m) in stature. The mountains are spread out across Scotland, from Ben Lomond in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, north to Ben Hope in the upper reaches of Sutherland, east to Mount Keen in Angus and west to more than a dozen peaks located on several islands.
The total ascent for a single round is around 126,000m, which is equivalent to 14 times the height of Mt Everest.
Records maintained by the the Scottish Mountaineering Club (SMC) reveals that some 7971 people have completed one Munro round. Fewer than 500 people have recorded a total of two Munro rounds.
To further underline Quinn’s achievement, it takes Munro baggers an average of 20 years to do one round, yet she has completed two rounds before becoming a teenager in June.
Quinn, who is also a keen swimmer and a cross-country runner, said: “I did my first Munro, Ben Wyvis, when I was four. I then finished my first Munro round when I was 10 and, back then, I became one of the youngest to have done all 282 of the highest mountains in Scotland.
“Dad asked if I wanted to keep going and I said yes straight away. We have lots of great times together in the mountains and I think my dad is very cool.”
Quinn carries her own food, water, waterproof jacket and trousers, spare clothes and other equipment – and the dad and daughter often run the routes to the high summits.
They have completed many big outings, such as a 26-mile route with 3200m of total ascent to bag nine Munros, including Ben Alder, in the Highlands, and a 25-mile route with 4053m of ascent to reach 11 Munros, including Ben Lawers, in Perthshire.
The pair have also completed traverses of many narrow and airy ridges with Munro summits, such as Liathach, the Aonach Eagach and An Teallach.
Quinn, who has an older brother, says: “I like the mountains with high ridges the best, especially the Cuillin where I did my last Munro today. I also really like scrambling on rocky tops. And I like the mountains with lots of bog because I enjoy getting muddy.
“Sometimes when the weather is bad I wonder what we are doing but mostly I am very happy being out in the mountains with my dad.”
Ian is an experienced mountain hiker and runner and aims to avoid unnecessary risk in the mountains. He assesses the weather reports before heading out and uses safety ropes where necessary. In addition, Quinn has a sports watch to keep track of her health and fitness.
Ian said: “Some people might think that Quinn is doing routes that are too far, too tough or dangerous for her age but she has built up her strength, fitness and experience over many years.
“Her mum Fiona and I monitor her activity on her watch and our aim is to maintain good strength and cardio rather than doing something too far after a long break.
“Quinn would tell me if she didn’t want to go on another mountain adventure and I don’t think you can push kids to do these sorts of things if they don’t want to.”
He added: “The Munros are just something Quinn has always done and she takes it all in her stride. She is very capable and I go at her pace, although there are many times now when she is out front, seemingly skipping along.”
Ian revealed his pride in his daughter after Quinn had abseiled off the In Pinn, a narrow rock formation atop Sgùrr Dearg, this morning.
He said: “It is amazing and we have been very lucky with the weather. There are no words to cover how proud I am of Quinn, although I don’t think she really appreciates what she has achieved.
“One day I think she will better understand exactly what she has done.”
Jamie Aarons, who holds the record for the fastest round of Munros in 31 days and 10 hours, said she is very impressed by Quinn’s achievement.
She added: “Completing not one, but two rounds of Munros at any age is an achievement to be proud of, but to finish two rounds before even turning 13 is absolutely incredible.
“At a time when one could be forgiven for thinking that children’s lives are inextricably linked to devices and social media, Quinn is an inspiring reminder that the Scottish hills are a playground for learning, challenge and adventure.
“Long may she enjoy the outdoors and continue to demonstrate what’s possible with motivation and a smile. Huge congratulations to to her.”