1980 - Pyrenees Expedition Members

Ian Barr
Jack Winch


Timothy Barton
Donald Currie
Douglas Graham
Neil McCallum
Gordon McGinn
Alan Morgan
Derek Noble
Martin Pollock
Brian Renfrew
David Renfrew
Ian Smith
Lindsay Stein

Comments

[Martin Pollock]

Went on the 1978,79 and 80 Trips with Mr Barr (Port Glasgow) - Will never forget these days - Iceland was a hard grind but amazing considering the weights we were lugging at an early age and have been back to the country several times since. Sicily - God I remember the rumble on the rim of Etna....2 weeks later it blew its top - we must have had god on our side as I remember a few were killed at the top. Sleeping in Olive groves under the stars - the famous Night of the Giant toad - the noise of the piglets in the night looking for food - tapping out boots incase of scorpions and stamping the ground to warn off any snakes at Mr Barr had tought us - 3 shift watches when we hit night time at the coast...God and scaring the hell outta 2 midnight bathers - oh and there was the sinking of the so called unsinkable pedalo <----Probs a typo. 10,500 feet up the Pyrenees - Totally the best trip for me...Linked together at the top and boot skiing down over the Glacier to camp - Sorry to be rude but that dried food certainly caused some interesting noises.....The midnight rustle of people secretly taking food out of packs and Mr Barr and his Pipe observing from the front of his tent and aways taking notes for the journal - In a way a second father and teacher more than you could ever wish for.....Miss ya.

[Brian Renfrew]

A GIANT OF A MAN.

I travelled with “Wee Barr” on the PGHS Geog Ex trips to Sicily (79), Central Pyrenees ( 80) and North Western Greece (81). I have many special memories from each of the trips. The friendships formed, the teamwork ethic instilled, the effort required to achieve your goal, but the most vivid memories of all are of the leader Ian Barr. For a wee guy he truly was a giant of a man, as big as the mountains he loved to trek through.
I will never forget climbing to the Pico de Aneto in the Central Pyrenees. At 11168 ft it’s the highest peak in the Pyrenees range. Three pupils Martin, Gordon, Ian and myself made the ascent from our base camp in a single very long day. After crossing the Aneto glacier the final approach to the summit is across a ridge with spectacular drops on either side. Ian had us rope together for our safety and over we went. This would never be allowed to happen now-a-days!!! Standing at the summit was a huge achievement for a group of young boys from the Port High. For a 15 year old it felt like Everest had been conquered.
This approach to education was unique. These adventures taught more than a classroom education ever could and I’m certain everyone who ever travelled with Ian will have fond memories of the journey and that many younger people were better prepared for life having had this experience.

[Martin Pollock]

Great to see you here Brian - Lets keep in touch - I am on facebook for my sins...And have a good few geog-ex as friends that I can link you in with.
Do you remember the banana flavoured potatoes and mince? My apologies for that got the banana mix out instead of the smash is mash : )
As I remember you broke a bone in training prior to the expedition on that tree in north ayershire?
Also do you remember a certain 2 guys that tried to swim across the high lake - Neil and Ian - none made it as the water was so cold and swam back. Think there were a few bets lost on that one.
Mr Barr telling the ghost stories at night around the fire - large rock and sunken river that went into the limestone behind us.