Edinburgh Mountaineering Club

Meet Reports 2003

Meet Reports

Why is it that almost without fail on Hogmanay the weather goes ballistic, making travelling conditions really difficult for a large gang of people all trying to get away for New Year and have a good time? This New Year was no exception. The weather started to deteriorate badly around 1pm on the 31st with gale force winds blowing any snow onto the roads. I think I was one of the last cars through onto the A889 from Dalwhinnie, where conditions were particularly foul. Albert and Judith weren’t that far behind me but had to turn round at Drumochter, drive all the way south to Perth, then go cross country to Crianlarich and thereafter, follow a snow plough all the way through Glencoe. Martin and Gillian arrived at the bunkhouse via Inverness and Bill Brown drove up via Connell. An interesting variety of routes. Miraculously, all 19 of us arrived in one piece and without incident.

2004 arrived quite quietly really. I think everyone was either too tired or bunged up with the cold to create a street party environment. New Year’s Day dawned grey, gloomy and not very attractively. Enthusiasm levels were a bit on the low side. However, slowly but surely bags were packed and folk headed off. Some stayed low, doing forest walks, other went cycling which turned out to be a bit dodgy as many of the lesser tracks were very icy, Richard in true style went off in search of Grahams near Loch Arkaig and one little band all trooped off up Ben Tee in the hope of some views.

This was the first time we’d stayed at Invergarry Lodge, a relatively new bunkhouse, and it was definitely a good choice. Very comfortable, well fitted out and in a great location for all sorts of mountain opportunities. That night we had our communal meal, and once again all those who provided the catering had done a fantastic job. From home-made soups to venison pie or a goat’s cheese and cranberry pastry plait, followed by all sorts of home-made sweets, it was really excellent – one of the best ever. Judith had decorated the tables with little candles, providing a lovely festive atmosphere and the table groaned under the weight of some very drinkable wines.

Friday was, thankfully, a much better day all round. Although much colder, it was dry and bright with big patches of blue sky forming early on. One or two went off and climbed the Corbett at Fort Augustus, Carn a’Chuilinn; Richard (I’m a complete masochist) Hartland went back to Loch Arkaig with Martin to do yet more Grahams; Anne and Christine almost got benighted in a nearby forest and I climbed a lovely little Graham above Drumnadrochit called Meal Fuar-Mhonaidh. On the way down this very strange man leapt out from behind a rock, saying he was lost and could he follow me down. Interesting, as this hill has a motorway of a path almost all the way from the car park to the summit. Once I pointed out this out (it was impossible to miss it, even with all the snow and ice about), my companion seemed a lot happier!!

There was almost enough communal food for everyone to have a second meal and Kenny provided an excellent quiz later on when the Scots narrowly defeated the English in a nail-biting contest! I have to mention here that although Fiona, through injury, was unable to do a lot out of doors, she more than made up for it indoors, as the undisputed queen of the jigsaw puzzle.

Saturday was ok but as we all found out later on, very windy indeed. Quite a few went home but a hardy little gang stayed on for an extra night. Alison, Kenny and Alison Wells went for Ciste Dhubh at Kintail; Tim and Julie on their debut climb with the club went up Meal Fuar-Mhonaidh and I climbed an extremely windy Biod an Fhithich where at the summit, it was incredibly difficult to stand up straight – I didn’t hang about. A good decision really as the weather really closed in in the afternoon.

For a first-time stay at this bunkhouse, we were all very impressed with it – in fact we were so impressed, we booked to go again next new year.

Lesley

Our confidence was raised by Michellin Star assessor Anne Craig who decided a small reconnaissance visit was required the weekend earlier - the venue The Glen Clova Hotel lived up to all expectations for the 'posh' side of the club. Mere serfs like myself stayed in the bunkhouse, which was extremely comfortable, and with ensuite bathroom..seems to be becoming the thing for bunkhouses these days. Next it'll be tv's. Steph named our room the Walrus chamber, the main contributors to this racket being Fraser, Bill and Vladivar boy. The Friday night gathering centred round the bar until the late hours and reconvened at 9am for those rugby fans within the club. Hats off to Kenny who was under the influence of a general anaesthetic and a few G and Ts!

Most folks made for the hill with Beinn Tirrin via Loch Brandy being the most popular circuit on Saturday, though the usual distant Corbetts were bagged. Myself and a few others watched the rugby till noon! Strangely there seemed to be blizzard conditions down under due to the interesting reception on the TV - more snow than the Cairngorms? In true Alpine style we headed up Mayar and Dreish at about 12:30. It was a cold day on the tops with some icing, and the occasional breaks in the cloud provided an atmospheric outing if a bit short. The Brock Inspectors prompted much arm waving. Alison, Alison and Fraser made off down the Corrie Fee burn while Steph, Anne, Alan and myself retraced our steps down through the forest to be sat comfortably in the bar by 5pm for a few sherbets before we all sat down to dinner which was extremely good, with excellent service for the large gang of us.

Sunday was walk reversal from Saturday in lovely sunshine. A very relaxing weekend had by all.

Alistair and Steph

Club Members headed South down the M6 and dusted off their passports for the first meet on English soil in many a long year. After a short walk in the dark from the car park the hut was a welcoming sight with the coal fire burning brightly. Arriving late put people at a bit of a disadvantage as it invariably meant they were sent up to the third tier of the alpine bunk where abseiling back down was probably the safest option. Some members stayed up gossiping to the ungodly hour of 1am, and it was rumoured that some of them may have been drinking, surely not.

Saturday morning saw the usual “so what are you doing today” question doing the rounds as people took off in all directions. There was a debate about where to leave the key for the day, unfortunately Albert & Richard were not party to these high brow discussions, a pity really as sods law dictated that they arrived back at the hut first. Anne & myself went round to Braithwaite for Grisedale Pike and the circuit round to Causey Pike, Kenny & Alison were close by on Robinson and Dale Head while Albert & Richard (I think) were on Scafell. Other members were scattered around various other hills enjoying a very pleasant morning and suffering a very sharp shower in the afternoon that contained hail on the higher summits, a sign of the oncoming winter, hopefully.

Saturday night saw the usual bout of cooking followed by the usual bout of “how was your day” and rounded off with various bottles of wine and beer being polished off in front of the roaring fire. A very pleasant way to spend a Saturday evening.

Sunday was a much better day weather wise and started off with a distinct chill in the air, I headed off up Skiddaw and there were some excellent views across the Solway Firth before my descent which involved passing hordes of people on their way up. Richard, Kenny & Alison were on Haystacks while others made the most of the glorious weather.

Who knows maybe the club will return to the Lakes before the decade is out!

Alan R

This account is being written 4 months after the event and as I cannot remember what I did 2 weeks ago (and certainly cannot remember which Grahams I climbed in 1999), it is likely to be short on detail.

I think only 8 people attended this meet at the Kinlochleven bunkhouse: Judith, Albert, Owen, Eleanor, Fiona Murray, Margaret, Alastair and Steph. On Saturday Judith, Albert, Eleanor and Owen went Graham bagging and ticked off Beinn na Gucaig near Onich. Then they went to Fort William for coffee and cakes and a spot of shopping. Owen was able to add to his ever-increasing wardrobe of Paramo garments. The other 4 went Corbett bagging and walked up to Loch Eilde Mor and then up Glas Bheinn, returning via the Blackwater reservoir, visiting the little graveyard near the dam on the way back. After a dampish start the day improved with sunshine and snow showers.

On the Sunday the weather deteriorated and it promised to be a day of relentless rain. Owen went off to wander along the West Highland Way. Judith, Albert, Sam, Eleanor and Margaret went up the Pap of Glencoe. There was very little to see at the summit. We set off with a clean white fluffy poodle and returned with a very soggy poodle with black legs. “What a brave little dog” said a passer by. Probably bravery does not come into it, more like where Judith and Albert go, so must Sam. Everyone else was just as wet and muddy.

I apologise to Fiona, Alastair and Steph as I cannot remember what you did.

Margaret Sinclair

It's a while since the club went to Arran, Glen Rosa being a campsite best enjoyed by those who are hard of hearing and tolerant of fun behaviour like having a motor cycle driven round your tent in the middle of the night - makes Kenmore seem positively boring. Having now discovered Shore Lodge as an alternative hopefully we will be back to Arran a bit sooner. As we lounged in the expansive sofas beside the log burning stove, it was agreed that the problem with Shore Lodge was that there were too many bathrooms, not enough hooks and "no little shelf in the bathroom to put my glasses on (Bill B). Yes you can begin to see why the Meet Secretary has quite a tough job!

Unforunately the walking was not up to the comforts of Shore Lodge, mist, wind and rain being the order of the day. Those who went for the low level options on Saturday at least had some sunshine. Sunday was similar but with more rain and less wind. Bill B, son Christopher, Cathy and Gillian returned wtih wired expressions having had an exciting ascent of the Caisteal Abhail some tricky scrambling on greasy rock had them adopting a variety of unorthodox climbing techniques. Actually Gillian returned quite a bit later after extending the walk to Cir Mhor and coming back in the dark (so whats new) after getting a lift back along the road in a taxi full of revellers heading to Brodick. Eileen and Bill got within a stone's throw of the summit of Beinn Tarsuinn but in the thick mist failed to find the actual summit. Clare and Kenny did Goat Fell by different routes, Clare's route involving as little time as possible on the mountain. My walk along the road from Sannox to Brodick enabled me to watch the basking seals and return with a large bag of brambles.

Monday was yes more of the same so we all headed off for the mid morning ferry. At least it gave Bill B a chance to have a full scale rant about the inability of west coast restaurants to make a decent cup of coffee.

Alison

Sunshine, a nice breeze and no midges - a great start to the last camping meet of the year. A few turned up on the Friday night and it was especially good to see Margaret who'd travelled all the way from York, and Eleanor who hadn't been on a meet for quite some time.

Saturday dawned brightly and although dogged by intermittent showers, showed good promise of a reasonable day. Iain MacLeod went off to bag some Munros near Loch Muick, everyone else wanted to climb Lochnagar, and I settled for a lovely little Graham called Mona Gowan, climbed from Glen Fenzie (promounced Fingie!). For the first time ever, I ran into a grouse shooting party with the estate manager whistling frantically at me to "get that dog on a lead". He actually turned out to be entirely reasonable and was happy to see people on the hills. What he objected to was people using the shooting butts as toilets and breaking all the windows at the nearby lodge - I thought he had every reason to be annoyed.

Despite the fact this was the end of August, Ballater as ever was busy and we were lucky to get a table at the local pizza restaurant - very good food and equally good wine.

Sunday wasn't quite so good weather-wise, but Corbetts and Munros were climbed. Can't believe we'll be back to hut meets again in September - where has the year gone?

Lesley and Jessie

We have been so lucky with the weather this year and the weekend of the Ardgour meet was no exception. The sun was belting down on the Friday evening and this, coupled with a gentle breeze kept the dreaded midge at bay - it was bliss. Even allowing for all this, only a faithful few turned up - there were almost as many dogs as people by the end of the day.

Annoyingly, the good weather disappeared somewhat on Saturday with everyone waking to a rather grey, hazy morning. Undaunted, however, everyone set out on their various pursuits, ranging from climbing at Ardnamurchan, a selection of Grahams and of course Beinn Resipol.

Sadly the weather got worse as the day wore on. Only the very top of Beinn Resipol had clag on it at the start of the morning - by early afternoon, that clag had dropped down to about 150 metres - not great really. The breeze had also dropped making the sections through the birch woods a bit like running the gauntlet where the midges were concerned - it was really horrendous.

We adjourned to the campsite bar and restaurant that evening for food and beer but even that became difficult. The place was terribly hot but if you opened a window, bag-loads of midges then flew in. You can't win!

Next day was better again. Richard piled off to add to his Grahams total, while Kenny and Alison took the Lochaline ferry to Mull and climbed the Corbett Dun da Ghaoithe, as well as a Graham too before returning.

Lesley and Jessie

Oh the joys of summer camping, long pleasant evenings to sit out in, barbecues, happy smiling children. Quiet family friendly sites. What could be better?

We had been warned that as a “GROUP” the site was only prepared to take us on the basis that we understood the need to keep noise to a minimum since it was a quiet family friendly site. Perhaps we should also have been told to bring our cheque books since we were each stung for a massive £11 per night, although it was pointed out that we could have made things much cheaper for ourselves by doubling up - I’m not quite sure what they had in mind? For our £11 we were directed to the side of a hill and a pitch more suited to rolling Easter eggs down. Some of the campsite children were already enjoying playing role pole down the hill. To avoid the inevitable blood rush to our heads we managed to find a scrappy piece of ground beside the football pitch and the road back from the onsite bar.

After a quiet night at the pub we returned to find our immediate neighbours (also a “GROUP” still sitting out having a few drinks and enjoying the pleasant evening.

1am - the alfresco drinking session was still going strong

2am - no change despite me going out to “have a word”. By this time Anne had already packed up her tent and was back in Edinburgh possibly setting a new record for the shortest ever attendance on a camping meet? (Richard Hartland still holds the hut meet record of 30 seconds)

3am - still no change, by this time a large dog was seen to be roaming freely round the site

9.30am - no sign of our neighbours but after a quick word to the site owner they had a rude awakening when the site owner ordered them off the site in 15 mins and we got a full refund for Anne.

We crept off to try and do some hills...... Corbetts and Grahams were the order of the day and a wee mountain bike trip for Fiona. As usual Gillian likes to get her money’s worth on her Scottish weekends and her day was chosen with careful reference to what was not recommended by the guidebook. In other words, if the book says not to do the route because it is too long, arduous, lots of ascent and descent, rough, difficult terrain, preferably all of these the effect is something similar to a bull and a red rag. So while the rest of us had our half days and got back to sit in the sun quaffing Lesley’s wine and eyeing up our new neighbours and any other potential evening rowdies, Gillian had a full day with interest.

Saturday night was much quieter although I did get woken up around 1am to hear some loud very drunken voices saying something that sounded like “so is that the cars there” “Yeah I got thrown off this site last year. Just our luck to get stuck beside a bunch of old birds”. Clearly our reputation now preceded us.

Roll on winter and civilisation!

Alison

A damp, midgey Friday night saw only a few campers turn up at Camaghael. Richard was already camped, having had a huge and very wet day doing Grahams around Glenfinnan. Unfortunately, his day had been such that Sophie was limping badly and as a result, the two of them had to go home on Saturday morning. With not even the mildest puff of a breeze, the midges were out and attacking, so once we'd pitched our tents, we raced off to the pub to escape the dreaded scourge.

Saturday morning was damp and drizzly with clag sitting at around 100 metres - oh joy! Anne and Iain were the only two who headed for the hills, doing the Grey Corries, including Stob Ban and Sgurr Choinnich Mor. I don't think they saw too much, but hat's off to them for effort! The rest of us decided on a low level walk to Neptune's Staircase, then on up about 8 miles of the Caledonian Canal to Gairlochy where we walked as far as the point where the Canal spills into Loch Lochy - even in the dreich, a particularly scenic spot. After that it was tea and buns with a bit of shopping thrown in in Fort William.

Saturday evening turned out to be glorious, and we had some new arrivals - Jon and Jo and Tim Clancey.

Perhaps as a reward for our perserverance in sticking it out through midge raids and foul weather, Sunday was glorious. Owen, the two Tims and Margaret went off to Glenfinnan to climb Streap, Jon and Jo went cycling, I climbed a Corbett, Geal Charn at the head of Loch Arkaig and Anne had plans for "something in Glencoe".

Lesley

The weekend started well with a warm sunny Friday evening at Loch Morlich campsite. However this pleasantness didn’t last long as clouds of midges descended (Richard was spotted wearing a very fetching towel round his head) – most club members (21 in total turned up at some point over the weekend) promptly decamped for the bar at Glenmore Lodge.

Blue skies and sunshine on the Cairngorms on Saturday morning provided a beautiful backdrop for the inevitable protracted round of ‘what are you doing today’. Several groups headed off to the Cairngorms with Bynack More being the most popular choice – one group combining it with a Corbett and others with Cairngorm itself. Anne headed for Beinn Bhrotain and Richard for the Hills of Cromdale. Alison, Kenny and myself enjoyed a leisurely off-road cycle taking in Nethy Bridge, Boat of Garten and Aviemore.

The nasty biting insects meant that a suggestion of pizza in Aviemore was almost universally popular on Saturday evening. Claire only just made it back in time to join us – she’d climbed Bynack More, Beinn Mheadhoin, Cairngorm and walked back to the campsite from the Ski centre.

The weather on Sunday didn’t look too bad, but the midges were awful so I headed off before most people were up. Consequently I’ve no idea what hills were climbed on Sunday……

Fiona C

Well not exactly Glenbrittle. The poor forecast for this weekend meant that the few of us that did appear for this traditional meet didn't get further than Sligachan. Travelling up on Friday afternoon was reasonable enough, allowing us to set up camp in the dry, but whereas seasoned campers Kenny and Alison wisely pitched on a well drained knoll above the wash-up block, I carefully picked the flood plain. The three of us met up in the pub discussing various poor weather options with the prospect of rain spreading in from the west. Rain? From Friday night onwards until we left on monday, the campsite was hit with wave after wave of heavy squally showers more reminiscent of November than mid May. The ridge was out of the question by Saturday morning, as Gillean disappeared permanently under a blanket of low cloud and rain.

But whereas there is something strangely comforting about being secure in a sleeping bag in a dry tent listening to the rain beat down, knowing that a long lie is in prospect, the ear piercing cries of a nearby camping group bawling out at 6.30 in the morning "Dave, have you got yer 'arness Dave, we're going on the ridge!" certainly is not, especially when you have had a disturbed night due to the weather. By the Saturday afternoon there was a dry enough interlude to persuade us out for a reasonable day on Belig, Garbh Bheinn, and Marsco, but the rain was on again by our return. Conviviality in the pub followed as we were joined by Jane and Bobbi who had gone into the Slig bunkhouse under Glamaig, and Mark, Jennifer and Oceanna who were camping. We heard later that a group attempting the ridge had to be rescued having got into difficulties. I don't know whether it was Dave & Co.

There was little early improvement on Sunday, so Kenny Alison and myself had another late start, with coffee in Portree and the papers. Improvement in the afternoon led to a pleasant half day on the Storr and part of the Trotternish ridge. Mark was hoping to climb Glamaig. Monday was just the same so we decided to bail out in one of the drier interludes. I headed off for Applecross, Torridon, and eventually Jura for the annual hill race, with the unsettled weather prevailing all week, the others headed home.

Despite the unseasonable weather, it would be a pity if the club stopped having a firm committment to include Skye as a regular annual destination, but changing working patterns have meant that some of the traditional 'local' holiday weekends are not now respected by many employers, which means that the far Cuillin can seem very distant if you only have a short weekend for a visit.

Martin

Despite a fairly dire weather forecast for the May Day weekend, a small gang of brave souls turned up in fairly wet dribs and drabs at the Morvich campsite. Needless to say there were only a few tents there and when I arrived around 6pm it was horsing down. I actually ended up pitching the inner part of my tent in the little cooking area which, having a small roof on it, helped me prevent my tent turning into an indoor swimming pool. That night there was little enthusiasm for cooking al fresco so in true rufty tufty style we all had our tea at the pub.

A ray of hope on Saturday morning though - sunshine and blue skies!! Between the lot of us we did quite well really. Anne, Iain and his pal Steve did the South Cluanie Ridge; Jennifer, Mark and Jura, on a rare child-free weekend did the Five Sisters; Albert, Judith and Sam did Am Bathach; Richard and Sophie did A'Ghlas-bheinn and then just to make the day a little longer, in true style added on the Graham Carnan Cruithneachd. (I have to say at this point I am surrounded by reference books just to make sure I get all these spellings right!!). Bill and Eileen did the Corbett Sgurr a'Bhac Chaolais, then as the weather was so good, they went onto Sgurr na Sgine and then what the hell, they did the Saddle as well. Jessie and I did the Corbett, Beinn Loinne - a bit of a bog trot, but lovely views at the end of it. Although there were some fairly heavy showers during the day, these were thankfully short-lived and I think by and large, everyone had a really good day.

Rain came back to haunt us again by early evening, so most of us opted to eat in the pub again. However, because the place was so busy, we didn't actually get anything to eat until around 10pm. If the meal had been delayed by another half hour, I think the whole lot of us would have been legless having consumed quite a lot of beer on empty stomachs.

After we were all tucked up in our tents, we then experienced some of the strongest gales I have ever known. The wind seemed to charge the tents at great speed, batter them senseless and then disappear before starting the whole process all over again. All through the night, each time the wind belted and smashed into the tents there was a series of screams and yells, followed by nervous giggling. I don't think anyone slept at all. Amazingly, all the tents were still on the ground in the morning and not half way up the surrounding hills instead.

Sunday morning was grey, wet and windy. Most folk decided to pack up and either head for home or do something before heading for home. Anne, Eileen and Bill climbed the Corbett behind the campsite - Sgurr an Airgid; Richard drove round to Loch Carron and climbed Sgurr nan Ceannaichean and Moruisg, getting pretty soaked in the process. I think Iain and Steve did A'Glas-bheinn and I wimped out and went to Fort William to buy a new rucksack.

Richard, having stayed another night, climbed the Pap of Glencoe on his way home on Monday.

Lesley

The week before Easter was full of clear blue skies and temperatures approaching a balmy 20c, surely this spell of tropical weather couldn't last for the Easter weekend at Achmelvich. The laws of weather that dictate it breaks down just prior to an EMC meet were however well and truly turned on their head on this occasion as the sun continued to shine as 14 people pitched up at the superbly situated Achmelvich campsite. As this campsite had a no dogs policy, our canine loving members had an alternative meet at Ullapool campsite.

Most people arrived on Good Friday, however some lucky people had the good fortune to have been on holiday all week, these people being namely, Kenny, Alison, Anne and Gillian as well as Lesley who managed to spend the glorious week in the Outer Hebrides. I feel these people should really suffer some sort of penance for their outrageous good fortune with the weather, a week at Butlins perhaps!

With the fine weather there was a real mix of activities over the weekend. In some people the sun brought out the "lets have a long day and make the most of it" attitude while in others it was "lets go to the beach and er sunbathe". Most fell somewhere in between, but for long days the prize surely goes to Tim who started at Elphin and after climbing Canisp decided to come back over Suilven, well it`s on the way back after all! Kenny and Alison climbed at Reiff and reported excellent conditions, but bemoaned the fact you couldn't get a bar meal in Lochinver after 8pm on Easter Saturday, the fact they had run out of food only compounded this situation and then they couldn't light the stove, but then they had been away all week so I didn't have too much sympathy and certainly didn't offer any food! On the subject of food Gillian attracted quite an audience while cooking mashed potato in the pitch dark, at least we think it was mashed potato, whatever it was she enjoyed it.

For most people Corbetts were the order of the day with Cul Mor, Cul Beag, Canisp, Glas Bheinn, Foinaven, Meall Horn all seeing ascents over the weekend as well as the token munros of Ben Mor Assynt and Conival. A fabulous weekend...

Alan R

As the weekend approached we were all wondering whether the weather would last and it did almost! It was looking a bit dreich on Sat morning but we all headed off to do different things. Bill, Eileen and Gillian biked in to do Beinn a Chasgein Mor, Albert and Judith did a walk in that direction, Lindsay, Alison W and John did Beinn Dearg, Anne and Jennifer did An Fagdagaich (but that's not what they called it!) Alison did a wee Corbett and Kenny did 2 Grahams, Cathy and Hywel did B einn Airigh Charr and Lesley went round to Applecross to do Sgurr a Chaorachain. The lengths you have to go to when you've done all the Corbetts near by!. The weather varied depending on where you were and most of us got a bit wet during the day but Lesley got the best of the weather. However late afternoon was just glorious, sunshine, blue skies, fantastic beaches, who needs the Caribbean?.

Martin arrived later quite pleased with himself having come second (he thinks) as a 'super vet' in a hill race at Strathpeffer. I would have been happy coming last!

We all made it back in time to go the hotel for our tea (except Bill, Eileen and Gillian who apparently kept stopping to admire the view). The service left a bit to be desired but the food was good and there were clean plates all round. We had a very entertaining evening, the highlight of which was Jennifer's split second backhand timing when she managed to swipe a passing glass and empty the contents over Alison. Luckily it was only water and no good drink was wasted! Judith and Anne kindly offered to be our chauffeurs but Kenny was disappointed that neither of the cars had a bike rack for the way back!

Sunday was very sunny and the crowd went off to An Teallach, various Corbetts and the odd Graham. Some of us had to head back to Auld Reekie at teatime, but I am reliably informed that another enjoyable evening was had by all, apart from Gillian who did an incredibly distant Corbett and didn't return till 11 p.m.

On Monday Lesley headed off to Ullapool for the ferry to Lewis, Alison and Kenny did a Graham between Gruinard and Loch Ewe, Hywel did Sail Mhor and Anne was heading for the Fisherfield I believe. As for the rest, no doubt they will enlighten you when you next see them!

This was our first visit to Steptoe’s bunkhouse. aka Carrbridge and it certainly is a unique building filled with all sorts of interesting knick knacks. Long periods of time could be spent in the toilets reading the old mountaineering newspaper clippings and cartoons that had been pasted all over the walls. The quadruple decker stacking system used in the dorms for sleeping was not ideally suited to those suffering from vertigo or having a weak bladder.

The forecast was very good and did not disappoint so lots of stuff was done on Saturday, including various expeditions in the Gorms. Martin, Kenny, Bobbi and I did a traverse of the smaller Cromdale hills where we met some strange creatures that Kenny insisted were large goats but which actually turned to be reindeer. Fiona spent most of the day getting her car repaired after reporting on the Friday night that there were some strange unexplained noises so bad that they were drowning out the radio. The suggestion by the club’s resident car experts of turning the radio up didn’t go down too well.

Sunday morning was even better and we were able to take advantage of the outside seating for an alfresco breakfast. There was a mass attack on a Corbett above Kingussie. Kenny and I had an early start to the rock climbing season at Kingussie crag but were disappointed when a 4 year old girl nabbed one of the routes we wanted to do. Yet again, a large assortment of food was left by members leaving in a rush to take advantage of the good weather (hint as us older and wilier members know many goodies can be collected by hanging about the fridge at the end of a club meet - or if you prefer gear to food, try the dorms and drying room). Oddly nobody seemed keen to take the collection of left over pies but at least this let Martin come out with the line "so who didn’t eat all the pies then".

The forecast looked stonking as we headed North on Friday evening. Not! Wind, rain and high temperatures all featured heavily for Saturday according to Heather's weather. Well, Heather was right, and subsequently this was probably the poorest meet in terms of things done on the hills for quite some while. I had an interesting rucksack incident, which involved Steph returning to Glasgow to pick it up. She did manage to couple this with a sleep before returning. Alan and I made for Glencoe. We navigated from the road to the lay-by and then decided as we were still dry in the car we should stay there, so we promptly headed for Fort Bill and direct to Nevis Sport, West Coast Leisure, the bike shop and even birthday present shopping.

On returning to the hostel we found many other folks had also decided on the non hill/climb option. Lindsey however managed the Buchaille and Kenny and Alison had set off up to Ben Udlaidh on Saturday morning (though it materialised that Kenny ended up on Cruach Ardrain and Alison went shopping in Killin?) Fraser, Alison and some other folks (sorry - forgot who and where) managed something in the surrounding Crianlarich Hills.

Sunday saw much better weather in the morning. Steph and I headed to Ben Vorlich (Ardlui) and had a great day out in clear crisp weather in the snow. The usual Corbett and Graham baggers headed off and Alan headed for West Gully on Beinn an Dothaidh, conditions being softish. Conditions were 100% better than Saturday!