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.