It was (almost) 20 years ago to the week that I last ventured to the south-eastern fringes of Dartmoor. That trip had been the day before my degree results, and was an attempt to calm frayed nerves. Two decades later, exams are thankfully a distant memory, and my reason for visiting far more positive – a chance to try out the Haytor Hoppa.

The journey is part of the adventure, according to popular wisdom. That’s just as well when you’re starting out on a nine-hour trip from London to Corrour. And before that there’s the misery of the Tube in rush hour to endure, my backpack attracting disapproving stares from almost every other passenger.

Our original idea had been to nip up to Scotland for a few days. I'd already spent a pleasant afternoon scouring the maps, finally settling on a route that would offer a dusting of snow and a couple of new (to me, at least) bothies. An invite had been sent out to friends, and positive replies received.