Alex MacIntyre Hut - New Year Meet (28 Dec 18 - 2 Jan 19)

15 club members gathered at the Alex MacIntyre Hut in Onich for the New Year meet.

Weather-wise it looked rather wet and overcast for the first couple of days but brighter conditions were promised for the 1st and 2nd.

On Saturday Donald went multi activity with a Park Run at Torlundy followed by a cycle from Corran to Camusnagaul.  Ann and John bagged Tom Meadhoin, a Graham up from the Callert Hotel and Bruce tackled the Ballachulish Horseshoe, starting off his challenge of completing all the Munros before the next New Year meet.

Ann on Tom Meadhoin

View from Tom Meadhoin

Sunday was a wet and cloudy day and with the exception of John and Ann, who somehow missed the rain, everyone was a bit soggy.  Ed and Scuz opted for a long and rough coastal walk in the Morven headland.

Hazel, Derek, Donald, Robert, Judith and Mark on a cross country venture from the Callert Hotel to Kinlockleven. Paths were like streams and with the exception of Robert, there were wet feet all round after a rather pointless river crossing.

                   

How not to get your feet wet

Still a few miles back to the car.

Ann and John headed for two Grahams - Beinn Sgluich and Aird Hill

Hogmanay's forecast was dryish early, but getting wetter, so folks headed out again some for outdoors and some indoors.

Hazel and Derek went to the Ice Factor for some climbing, and Scuz ran the West Highland Way from Kinlochleven to Fort William.

Ann, John, Joe, Steve M, Mark and Judith ventured up Ardcheal Hill, across the water from the hut. It started dry but on leaving the top heavy rain came down.

An 'interesting' descent from Ardcheal through a very thick Rhododendron forest back to the road.

Donald, Denis and Steve W walked up to the Inchree waterfalls which were looking super with all the rain.

The drying room was certainly put through it's paces that evening.

Happy New Year

After a grand meal of six courses - each course served hourly - we welcomed in 2019.

New Year's day dawned bright, dry and much colder. Hurrah - no more rain.

 Hazel, Derek, Steve W, Steve M and Joe decided on the Aonach Eagach for their day out.

The Steves on their way up to the ridge.

Joe on the ridge

Hazel heading up 

Derek setting up a belay on the chossy chimney just as the snow started

Steve M climbing down a rather chossy chimney

Views along the ridge

Evening coming down at the end of a challenging day out on Aonach Eagach

Ann, John, Donald, Robert and Judith on the Grahams Mam Hael and Beinn Molurgainn getting great views to Glencoe in the east and out to Mull on the west side.

Ed and Scuz headed to Glencoe too and went up the lost valley to the three munros in the Bidean Group.  Mark despite a bad cold made it up the Pap of Glencoe.

Tuesday came and it was time to pack up to head home. The weather was getting better.  Hazel, Derek, Ed and Scuz headed for the Ballachulish Horseshoe, Ann and John for more Graham bagging on Sgorr a Choise and Meall Mor and Donald and Joe explored the Oban cycle path from Onich as far as Appin..

Hazel on the Ballachulish Horseshoe

Scuz on the Ballachulish Horseshoe
















Ann and John's venture to Sgorr a Choise and Meall Mor

That was New Year 2018 -19 : another great meet - walking and scrambling, tasty meals and lots of chat and fun.

Mill Cottage Meet (Feshiebridge) 8-9 December

A dismal but improving forecast allowed 15 club members to enjoy a wide range of activities in the Northern Cairngorms across the 2 day meet held at the comfortably equipped and cosy Mill Cottage in Feshiebride near Kincraig.

Saturday was reasonably mild for the time of year with the westerly winds blowing lighter than forecast with occasional sunny spells and mostly good visibility. On Sunday the northerlies brought colder temperatures and reduced visibility on the tops.

Ed, Scuz and Ewan decided to opt for a lower level cycle covering a mere (and very muddy) 65km on Saturday!

Ed looking very muddy indeed

Derek, Hazel, Morna and Luke took in circular route of A’Chailleach, Geal Charn and Creag an h-Iolaire in the Monadliaths. An interesting river crossing at the start of the walk due to the heavy rains the previous night meant soggy feet all round. It didn’t dampen spirits though and an enjoyable walk was had by all. Morna even had her sunglasses on, but only briefly.

Luke, Morna and Hazel on the ascent towards A’Chailleach

Luke, Morna and Hazel on the summit of Geal Charn

Ann and John ascended the Graham of Meall nan Eagan by the East ridge before descending to look at the impressive meltwater channels off the north side of the Fara.

Meall nan Eagan, Ann pictured

Judith, Mark, Bruce and Robert wandered along to visit the beautifully refurbished Ruigh Aiteachain bothy in the Glenfeshie Estate.

Mark, Bruce & Robert in Glenfeshie

Meanwhile, Eric bagged Munro Geal Charn in the western Monadliaths.

With the meet being so close to Christmas it seemed fitting that late afternoon mince pies and mulled wine were enjoyed before a delicious and filling meal was served in the evening (thanks to the volunteer chefs Ann, Morna, Bruce, Hazel, Scuz & Mark and to Judith for the wine).

Sunday brought a drizzly start but it didn’t put off the majority of the members from heading out again to enjoy the wintery conditions.  Hazel and Derek, later joined by Ed and Scuz, enjoyed a traditional ascent of Bynack More. Snow was lying from around 700m adding interest to the scramble up the final steep ridge. A short lunch was enjoyed together before Ed and Scuz continued south to take on a couple of additional tops before their return to Glenmore Lodge.

Hazel, Ed & Scuz on the approach to Bynack More

A brief lunch stop at the top of Bynack More

Ewan and Stuart enjoyed a spot of early winter climbing in Coire an t-Sneachda, setting off early and bleary-eyed from the hut to make the most of the short daylight hours.

Mark, Judith, Robert, Luke & Morna ascended Corbett Geal-Charn Mor from Lynwilg near Aviemore before everyone headed back to Aberdeen, tired and hungry but happy.

Morna, Robert, Mark & Luke at the summit of Geal-Charn Mor

Inverardran Meet (Crianlarich) 17-18 November

On the way from Beinn Dubhchraig to Ben Oss, with Ben Lui beyond. Photo: Bob.

A promising forecast turned out to be a weekend of cracking weather over the western highlands. A dozen club members headed over to Inverardran Cottage near Crianlarich, which provided a spacious and very well-equipped base for exploring the surrounding hills.

Both Saturday and Sunday were mild, with patches of low cloud blowing in and out on the Saturday making for atmospheric conditions, the odd  Brocken Spectre, and great views when it cleared.

Bob enjoying a Brocken Spectre on Beinn Dubhchraig. Photo: Alex.

An east-west traverse of Ben Lui, taking in the three adjacent munros of Ben Dubhchraig, Ben Oss, and Beinn a'Chleibh, made for a cracking day out for Bob, Rob, Emma, Razzak, Emma and Alex. That party crossed paths with Calum and Andy who, from a different angle, also took in Ben Lui and some neighbours.

The gang, minus Bob, trudging through boggy woodland on the approach (which is also how we ended the day!). Photo: Bob.

At the second summit. Photo: Bob.

Traversing towards the impressive bulk of Ben Lui. Photo: Alex.

Andy & Calum approaching from the other side. Photo: Calum.

3rd lunch (or was it 4th?) just before the last push up Ben Lui. Photo: Alex.

Razzak & Emma starting the long descent off Beinn a'Chleibh. Photo: Alex.

Donald and Jane also stayed fairly local on the Saturday, walking up Beinn Odhar and Beinn Chaorach, while Roddy and Mark headed up to Glen Etive to venture over Meall nan Eun and Stob Coire 'an Albannaich.

Donald on his way up Beinn Odhar, the first of two steep Corbetts climbed on Saturday. Photo: Jane.

Roddy and Mark enjoying the sun up the road in Glen Etive. Photos: Roddy.

A monster communal meal recharged batteries on Saturday night (thanks chefs!), fuelling people to take advantage of even clearer conditions on the Sunday. It was views as far as the eye can see from nearby Beinn Dubhchraig and the Corbett Fiarach (Donald and Jane), and Ben Challum (Bob, Emma & Rob). Razzak, Emma and Mark opted for a spot of late season trad climbing on the way home at Polney Crag (Dunkeld), while Roddy was back up towards Glen Etive to tick off Beinn Fhionnlaidh.

Spectacular views from Fiarach. Photo: Jane.

Rob & Emma at the summit of Ben Challum. Photo: Bob.

The views were equally spectacular from The Cobbler; Calum, Andy and Alex headed there for a scramble over the south and central peaks before bagging the munro of Beinn Narnain on the way back. A great day out!

Andy takes in the view on the approach to the Cobbler. Photo: Alex.

Looking across to the central peak (left) from the top of the south peak. Photo: Alex.

Looking back across the craggy south peak. Photo: Alex.

Clear views across to Ben Lomond and far beyond from the summit of Beinn Narnain. Photo: Alex.

A fine weekend before things turned colder and more unsettled.

Celebrating my Birthday with the AMC on An Teallach

Some pics from the recent meet to The Smiddy in Dundonnell. Just happened to be my 32nd birthday getting to celebrate with some excellent people.