8-9 March 2008

Friday night’s trip to Glen Etive and the Grampian Club’s Inbhirfhaolain hut was full of trepidation, with some seriously bad weather forecast.

However after locating the hut and filling the water containers from the stream, we lit the log fire and allowed alcohol to convert pessimism to optimism. Seventeen people turned out, including two guests, creating the atmosphere for a good weekend.

On Saturday morning Simon Willats, guest Richard Collins and Chrissy McKay amended their planned route, to do Ben Starav and Bheinn Glas Mhor in an anti-clockwise direction to beat the wind. With only one minutes sunshine all day, there was no risk of sunburn or melanoma, but they where in severe danger of wind chill, struggling at times to stay on their feet. On reaching the bealach below Stob Coir an Albannaich they returned via the Alt Mheuran to the road, where they picked up by Graeme Morrison to complete a 10 ½ hr day. After a long lie in and a fireside snooze, Graeme had ecided to face the elements, making his way to the summit of Beinn Moal Chaluim in 2 ¼ hrs. The highlight of his day was seeing a white hare, making at least two souls on the hill that day without the sense to keep out of the rain.

Strong winds and driving rain meant that for those who brought their stickies along, the choice of the climbing wall at the Ice Factor in Kinlochleven was a “no brainer” for Illona Morrice, Natacha Mihajlovic and Dan Moysey, who topped off the excursion by taking advantage of the shower facilities and some retail therapy at the Fort. The remainder of the Ice Factor party, Bob Macdonald and Graeme Gunn, took the traditional (and dare I say more manly) approach and returned to the hut for a beer.

Ray Harron, Lee Madden, Dave Galloway and Evelyne Deorge checked out the climbing shops in Fortbill before doing the tourist sights at the Clachaig and the Kingshouse (someone had to keep tabs on the rugby matches).

Dave Mclean, Joe Glennie, Jake & Ruby Lee, Amanda Strang and guest Judith Kendle set out to find the robbers’ waterfall below Bheinn Glas Mhor. The deterioting weather and boggy path made it an easy decision to turn back just before they reached the falls.

Come 7am on Sunday morning and no change in the weather except no wind. Simon, Ray, Lee, Natacha, Graeme M and Dave G set off to complete Stob Dubh. A steep, soft snow-covered Corbett taking 4 ½ hrs to do the round trip.

Chrissy had a leisurely stroll up Meall a Bhuirdh in the sunshine. However as she traversed onto the S/E ridge of Sgor na h-Ulaidh, dark snow clouds came in and in her solitude she got a spooky feeling about the avalanche conditions, so returned to her car.

Jake, Joe & Ruby walked from the hut to Buachaille Etive Beag and did the south top, Stob Dubh before descending via the bealach.

Illona and Dan came onto the Small Shephard of Glen Etive from the Glen Coe side, ascending to the Bealach and taking in both tops under snow and ice conditions.

Graeme G & Bob went to the icewall at the Ice Factor, while Dave McLean who had spent Saturday pondering his Grahams bowed out when the weather turned grim, as did Amanda, Judith and Evelyne.

In conclusion, a good weekend, shame about the weather.

Dave Galloway

Click here for more photos from this meet