Beinn Dubh Horseshoe

  Sunday 8th February.   A cracking morning with a weather forecast to die for, we set out from the Luss carpark on our way to Mid   Hill via Beinn Dubh. Alex, Jean,Terry, Liz, Charlie, Dave, Bill and Visitors Ross, Paul, Jim and Neil. With conditions underfoot   dry and crispy   and a fair ammount of snow above the 600M   line, our visitors were suitably immpressed. A quick cup at the summit of Beinn Dubh and we were on our way, the views were spectacular, not a   ripple on the loch and Ben Lomond and the surrounding hills looking so inviting. All went well until we decended Mid Hill, the steep decent on an icy path claimed a few falls although none with a vote greater than 7.9. The day ended with the usual refreshment in the local   Hotel which   had to be cut short as Bill had to attend a very important 40th wedding anniversary.   As we drove over the Erskine Bridge and down   past Langbank the snow started to fall and the weather closed in.       Submitted by Bill Stevenson

Sunday 22nd Feb.

Another perfect early spring morning when Jean, Liz, Bill, Charlie, Graeme, Paul, Terry, Alex,Donald and friends Lindsay, Paul and Callum met at the Glen Ample car park.The path was easy going at first, until we reached the Eas an Eoin burn following this up steeper ground until we reached the summit.After our usual picnic at the top we dropped down to the Bealach nan Cabar ,then back to the cars . Stopping of at Kilmahog for post   walk refreshments.     Donald.

Sunday 8th March

A bad forecast meant that only Graeme, Callum and Donald turned up for todays walk. We parked at the Kings House and decided to have a go. After a struggle up the ridge through powdery snow and high winds we reached the trig point where it was nearly impossible to stand. What was impossible was lighting the candles in Donald's birthday cake, so we waded back downhill and eventually reached the Kings House and a well deserved pint. The candles were lit on Donald's cake and the resultant conflagration was very efficiently put out by Callum using his experience gained on oil production platforms.   Donald.

Sunday 22nd March   :   Ben Challum

Around ten o’clock, 17 members, friends and family set off, passed the equestrian fields, over the bridge, skirting the farm and St. Fillan’s Priory up the grassy slopes.   For the first fifteen minutes we were followed by about fifty pregnant ewes.   Was it the natural musk of the members?   Perhaps B. O.     this early on the walk, or was it just Alec’s aftershave? Who knows.  

After an hour, the customary coffee break.   Already the wind force was rising rapidly.   Shortly after the restart, to avoid young Sammy ( aged nine) from blowing away, Liz and Donald accompanied him back to the car. The remaining team continued up around the peat hags and muddy areas towards the top.   By now the wind force was becoming a problem.   Neil, one of our guest walkers, was blown over.   After a few attempts at rising, he decided to remain on his hands and knees to get his breath back. Like a true trouper, he got up and completed the walk.   A great effort, Neil.   Well done.    

On the upward slope the wind was blowing strongly from the left side.   This caused your trekking poles to tangle with your legs, causing a few trips. At least it did in my case.

The ridge line brought a change in wind direction—face on.   Now you only stopped when a gust hit you.   No problem here then.   We eventually reached the cairn at the summit.   Was it worth it just to see a pile of rocks?   You bet it was.   Graham, having the heaviest camera and therefore least likely to blow away, took the “summit picture”.  

The return journey was interesting.   The wind, very severe, was blowing into your back.   Minor stumbles caused me to hop, skip and jump, rivalling those of Jonathan Edwards of Olympic fame. I twisted my knee whilst falling, but Charlie got the prize.   He tripped, ripped his water proof trousers and watched as his glasses blew off towards Ben More, never to be seen again.   Should make for an interesting insurance claim.  

  No more skirting around the mud.   Straight back to the cars.   Some member stripped off, bathed using several baby wipes, applied copious deodorant and changed clothes.   Others did not.   It is probably thanks to them that we had no problem getting spaces at the bar of the local hostelry.   Thanks guys.  

Did we enjoy ourselves?   Yes.   Will we do it again?   You bet.  

Saturday 4th April sees our annual invasion of Arran. I hope to see you all on the 7 o’clock ferry. Iain Craig

  Sunday 19th April Meall Glas Sgiath Chuil

The club outing to Meall Glas and Sciath Chuil turned out to be an excellent day with fine views North South East and West for the 13 Lucky members who participated on Sunday. Paul, Allan Roach, Ross S, Bill S, Graham S, Callum W, Graham W, Paul K, Steve, Terry, Lyndsay, Neil B, and Dave B. As you can see from the Photographs it was Tee shirts after the first hour, these hills are quite tough but everyone managed with just enough energy to get to the Rod and Reel for a well earned Pint. Submitted by Bill Stevenson

Saturday 11th July 2009, Corrour

On Saturday 11th July 10 intrepid travellers met at the “Green Welly” for a late breakfast having the leisure of taking our time to catch the 10.46 train from Bridge of Orchy to Corrour.

At the station the travellers made plans for their individual needs. The larger group of 6 which included Donald, Alec, Graeme, Neil, Jim and Stephen set of from Corrour station at a brisk speed to complete the 2 Munros ,Carn Dearg then Sgor Gaibhre, completing a circuit by coming down the far side of Loch Ossian for the walk back alongside the loch to a well deserved beer at the Corrour Station. Terry and Liz followed this group at a slower pace to enjoy the fine weather and a leisurely single Munro of Carn Dearg. Dave and Graham who met Paul up there climbed Beinn Na Lap and had time also for a leisurely Corbett before refueling at the New Corrour Bar before the return train at 18.25. Everyone enjoyed fine weather and awesome 360 degree visibility of the Scottish Mountains and the hospitality at the Corrour station before heading home . Submitted by Stephen Heggie

 

TORRIDON WEEKEND submitted by Donald

Friday 7th Aug   Fionn Beinn, Jean’s last Munro.

 Jean Iain, Alex, Bill, Dave, Graham, Stacey, Liz, Rusty, Terry, Graeme, Hugh, Steve and Donald met at Achnasheen on Friday morning to climb Fionn Bheinn , this being Jean’s last Munro. The weather Gods were smiling upon us as we started of up the hill. After a gentle stroll up we reached the summit and had the ceremonial archway of climbing poles for Jean to walk beneath to reach the Trig Point. Well done Jean from all of us.

 The party then began with congratulations from everybody present to Jean, and of course plenty of photographs. Also an inscribed Quaich was presented to Jean to commemorate her triumph.  We then had a small libation before making our way back down the hill and a celebratory pint in the Ledgowan Hotel.

 

Saturday 8th Aug.  Beinn Eighe.

 Liz, Jean, Alex, Bill, Dave, Donald, Graeme, Graham, Hugh, Iain, Steve and Terry set off from the Car Park on the A896 and followed the path round the foot of Sail Mhor and into Coire Mhic Fhearchair, truly a wondrous place. The mist had closed in as we climbed scree covered slopes up to the col and thence to the summit of Ruadh-stac Mor. We returned to the col and had a short break before continuing to Spidean Coire nan Clach our second Munro of the day. After dropping down below the cloud we had good views of the surrounding countryside. Managing to hitch a lift back to pick up the cars finished of the day nicely.

 

Sunday 9th Aug.  Beinn Alligin.

 Liz, Stacey, Alex, Bill, Dave, Graham, Graeme, Hugh, Rusty, Steve, Terry and Donald had decided to climb Beinn Alligin clockwise so we set of for Tom na Gruagaich hoping the cloud would lift. The first summit was reached, still in cloud, so we had a quick refreshment stop and headed of for the next summit. The cloud was slowly lifting as we reached Sgurr Mhor, and we had another short break, before tackling the Horns of Alligin. The Horns were safely negotiated by various routes and as we dropped down into the glen we passed some climbers on the way up. When torrential rain set in later in the day we realised how lucky we had been.

A great weekend was had by all I think, crowned of course by Jean’s last Munro.

                                                                                                                               

Sunday 23rd Aug. Cancelled.

 

Sunday 6th Sept.  Beinn Heasgarnich.

 The wet weather seemed to have discouraged most members from travelling as Donald and Jim McFarlane stopped of at the Westburn Centre to check out for anybody needing a lift. We decided to go and have a look at the condition anyway. On the way to Killin a phone call from Bill confirmed we were not alone. 

The cloud was lifting from the hills as we met Bill, Dave, Graham and Ross in Glen Lochay. A short walk brought us to the derelict cottage at Badour and we started the ascent from there. As we climbed higher the cloud had lifted sufficiently to give us some views as we reached the summit. A cold wind meant that we didn’t linger on the top, dropping down to the road crossing over from Glen Lyon and following it back to the cars. We had the usual stop in Killin for a wee refreshment.

 The rain came back on again as we travelled down Loch Lomond side, so how lucky were we?         Donald.

 

LOCH LOCHY WEEKEND submitted by Donald

Friday 18th Sept.

The weather forecasters were proving correct as Stacey, Liz, Alan, Alex, Bill, Charlie, Dave, Graham, Hugh, Paul and Donald met at Loch Quoich  with strong easterly winds the order of the day.

The impressive stalkers path made for a comparatively easy climb on to the south-west ridge and we were soon at the first summit for today (Gleouraich). We didn’t linger and carried on over the next top, dropping down to the Fiar Bhealaich then climbing to reach Spidean Mialach our second Munro of the day. With all the climbing finished we made a leisurely descent back to the cars.

Stopping off at the Invergarry Hotel we had a drink and a rather expensive meal.

 

Saturday 19th Sept.

 The Club split into three groups for today’s walks.

 Stacey, Rusty, Dave, Graham and Paul climbed Beinn Eibhinn, Aonach Beag, Geal Charn and Carn Dearg A long walk in and a very long walk out.

 Alex, Bill, Charlie and Hugh climbed Beinn a’Chlachair, Geal Charn and Creag Pitridh.  Alex has now started his second round before finishing his first, good on you mate.

 Liz, Alan and Donald climbed Geal Charn and Creag Pitridh with the former being Liz’s 100th Munro

 The weather had not been kind to us today, with very strong wind and driving rain, still we had some clear periods and everybody managed to do what they had intended.

 

Sunday 20th Sept.

The winds had abated for today and Liz, Alan And Alex Climbed Sron a’Choire Ghairbh, while Stacey, Rusty, Paul and Donald climbed Beinn Teallach and Beinn a’Chaorainn.        

    


 
 

 
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