2 new recruits joined us today at the car park only for their car to break down on the ferry! So after rounding up a few strong men and women we managed to push it all the way over the bump and up the ramp and lo and behold - it started! We picked up Graham and headed up lovely Glen Masson in our convoy of cars. The walk up was nice as the sun was shining and there was a crisp nip in the air to keep us cool. The patches of snow were still glistening on the hillside and provided a source of amusement for the children present on the walk. Old and Young!!! The group split into two on the descent and while we waited myself, Tommy, Sammy and Jean took a stroll down to the pools where there is an underwater arch in the most amazing turquoise water... If it was just that bit warmer... Mmm... The day was rounded off nicely when we visited Gillian at Graham's caravan for refreshments. It was like being on holiday! And the ferry back was nothing short of perfect with calm sparkling seas and Gourock beckoning us. Report by Stacey
2nd March 2008 - Meall Ghaordaidh
Jean,Stacey, Bill, Dave, Graham, Jim, Iain, Graeme and Donald decided to forego Mothers Day Lunch and go Munro Bagging instead. Blue skies as we set off up the hill promised another fine day.The first part of the walk was over easy, but rather boggy, ground until about 700Mts we reached the snow line, and with the snow came the mist.So another Peak with no view. After the official Gorillas in the mist picture we meandered slowly down the hill met up at the bottom, And set of for Killin where we had our usual light refreshments beside the Falls of Dochar, And then home to face the music. Report by Donald
2nd March 2008 Meall Ghaordaidh
A quieter day for the Club probably due to Mothers Day - nine of us met up in Killin on a glorious March morning to the spectacular sight of the Falls of Dochart in full speight. It was a bit nippy but a fine morning for a walk. Set out up the easy going east ridge and the sunshine actually had some heat. We were foiled as we approached the summit ridge by some lowering shower clouds and the snow came on for a while robbing us of the views of Heasgarnich, Craig Mhor and the rest of the Mamlorns. The summit had a fair bit of snow and gave a wee mountaineering feel to it. A gentle stroll back to the car just in time to avoid the deluge which eventually got us between the pub and the pub car park in Killin. A fine day out with a wee snooze on the way back in Bill's chariot. Report by Dave
Today the weather was perfect as it was nice and cool with sunny skies and good views across to the Cobbler. We had 2 new walkers out with us one of whom had never "done" a mountain! I'm glad to say they made it to the summit no problem and really enjoyed it.
Carol had remarked that she was glad my children were here as they would help slow the rest of the group down to her usual pace. However they made it first and second to the summit! Well done boys. However, the leisurely, laid back pace was a refreshing change and was allowed to happen since one speedy member was notably absent... Guess who??
The summit itself was a magic wee spot with views down Loch Lomond and its numerous islands. We had our lunch whilst the boys explored the rocky crevasses and smashed ice sheets with my walking poles...
Half of the group decided to carry along the ridge to Ben Reoch and the other half descended at the bealach. It was hard to remember when standing in such a remote, gorgeous place surrounded by mountains that we were only an hours drive away from our home town.
Stacey, Tommy and Sammy.
3rd February 2008 - Beinn An Fhidhleir A few nuts decided to venture out in the face of a foul forecast - five of us to be precise - the things you do for a stretch of the legs. Fortunately the rain mostly spared us but the howling gale was too much to stand up in. We made it half way up the hill and decided to do a lowering traverse down towards Abyssinia. The clouds were skipping over the summit at an alarming rate so a good decision to quit while we were ahead.
Dave Barlow
20th January 2008 - Ben Ledi
Report to follow
6th Jan 2008 - Beinn Tharsuinn and Ben Chaorach
The 2008 season got of to a good start when 16 club members + Rory and 5 guests met at The Westburn Centre. We decided to forgo the Telegraph's suggestion for our walk( Beinn Tharsuinn, West Monar) to save our drivers a 500 mile round trip. So it was Beinn Tharsuinn, Glen Fruin for us.
Clearing skies as we drove to Glen Fruin promised a good day on the hills, and so it proved. After a leisurely stroll up to the first summit, with the mandatory tea stop on the way, the views were opening up before us. Ben Lomond to the East, the Arrochar Alps to the North and the Firth of Clyde to the South West, even Greenock looked nice today.
We continued on to the Trig Point on Beinn Chaorach where the official group photographs were taken.The party then split up into two groups, with the smaller group retracing their steps and going on to Balcnoc, and the other group dropping down to the reservoir where the had a picnic in very pleasant surroundings. Then a nice stroll back along the old Glen Fruin road to the cars.
