Meet Report

24th to 26th March 2017 - Inverardran Cottage, Crianlarich

March 2017 Inverardran Cottage, Crianlarich

“Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.” allegedly Dalai Lama XIV  [especially if its your Birthday !]

Friday evening was predominantly preoccupied with understanding the hut rules. The detailed manual, and notices ensured that there was no ambiguous interpretation! Fortunately, EMC does not allow dogs on meets, so lengthy clause 14 could be ignored.  Planning Saturday’s activities was pretty straightforward given the excellent forecast, which was a great welcome for recent new members: Chris W, Jenny and Sam.

With blue skies and sunshine, it was hard for any of us not to have a great day out on the hills.  Fiona M completed the munro tops on Ben Cruachan; Anne C and Alison C with friends Ruth and Simon, headed up Ben Oss and Beinn Dubhchraig, The Renvilles and EMC alumni Alistair ventured up Stob Ghabhar & Stob a'Choire Odhair; Kate, Alison F, Perry, Emma, Chris W, Sam and Jenny enjoyed spectacular views from Stob Coir’ An Albannaich; Alan H followed Kenny’s tracks from Friday up corbett Ben Mhic Mhoniadh; Antti went running along the West Highland Way, and I had a leisurely day across the tarmachan traverse to Meall nan Tarmachan.

After such a glorious day, spirits were high back at the hut; further helped by Kenny popping open the champagne to celebrate Alison’s 50^th Birthday.  Gifts (many liquid I may add) and cards emerged from hidden places. All going well, until Alistair’s dog made an entrance causing me to scramble for the hut rules !

We headed off to Ben More Lodge hotel to continue the celebrations over a meal, and with “Happy Birthday” being led by Crainlarich Corries band. Birthday celebrations must have simmered down since 2001, when Alison’s meet report included the following extracts:

"After the drink ran out we retired to the Rod and Reel where there was live entertainment in the form of Crianlarich's answer to the Corries.”

Some while later, 

“At this point, there was a brief interruption when the table that the maraca player was dancing on collapsed and he dived headfirst towards the pool table missing it by inches. Sadly the Corries and Cathy could do no more encores and it was time to go home “

Now I understand the reason for the hut rulebook……

Without too many hangovers, we woke to another beautiful day and folk were keen to get out. Alison, Kenny, Ruth and Simon headed to Beinn Chabhair to start a new decade; Alan R went for a run across Beinn a'Chochuill and Beinn Eunaich; Alan H headed up Ben Ledi; Kate and Emma followed clear steps to the summit of Ben Challum while Alison F ticked off a Corbett in Glen Earn. Inspired by Saturday’s stories, Chris, Sam, Jenny, and Perry ventured across Ben Lui, Ben Oss and Beinn Dubhchraig.

I spent the morning, re-staking the chairs to ensure the colour coding was correct, and you’ll be pleased to know I have slept soundly since.

Thank you all for helping to make sure the hut was left clean and in perfect condition.