The weekend’s weather forecast was not looking good and several members developed last minute coughs. Nevertheless, a hardy band of mountaineers / drinkers turned up for what turned out to be an excellent weekend.
The long lost Dave G turned up on Friday with a crate of lemonade and, despite making remarkable progress through this, he was up early and off to bag a Corbett or two. There’s nothing in the BRB, but it was a hill to the west of the A82 and sunscreen was not necessary.
Adrian M and Minie went up Beinn Chabhair from Beinglass Campsite. “Started with no character but managed to build one by the end of the day, and washed my clothes too.”
Carol J had a list to tick and so she rounded up follow mountaineers Kelly M, Sheena F, Graeme M and Daniel M for a round of An Caisteal and Beinn a’ Chroin. Dan had a plan to get to the start of the walk without going along the A82. There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and true to form, this route required a little bush whacking and a leap over the River Falloch. Team Jack ascended An Caisteal and then stopped for second breakfast in a sheltered spot just beyond the summit. A surprisingly steep ascent of Beinn a’ Chroin was rewarded by brief views down to Loch Voil. Passed a very tame Ptarmigan on the descent and then squelched along the “path” down the glen to our starting point. A good day out.
George H ascended Tuillich Hill and Beinn Bhreac on the north side of the little known Glen Douglas (half way down Loch Lomond). “Monsoon set in from the start. Mobile phone wouldn’t work as it was so wet. Map and compass job from then on.”
Ben W, Wendy S and Anta Misina set off slightly after team Jack, with the same route in mind. They also experienced some bushwhacking in the initial stages (they must have overhead Dan’s plan on Friday night). The summits were bagged and the soggy trio returned down the glen. They elected to cross the river high up and stick to the right bank, which avoided the river crossing, but incurred even more bog and gullies instead. There was a minor navigational disagreement as they approached the finish line, but fortunately Ben kept Wendy and Anta right.
Brent didn’t write anything in the BRB, but he got value for money out of the drying room on Saturday night so we presume he went for a walk somewhere.
Sunday’s forecast was for more rain and so most folk headed home. Carol and Graeme had their sights set on Beinn Challuim, but the sheets of rain proved a worthy opponent. Dan and Sheena headed north for some gear shopping in Fort William, but the skies cleared as they crossed Rannoch Moor and the FOMO was strong. After a quick change of clothes at the Kings House they headed for Beinn Chrulaiste. The clag, wind and rain soon returned and looked set for the day, but like a miracle, the sun came out within seconds of arriving at the summit cairn, providing the famed view of the Buachaille. Another great day. Babs and Ella may also have ascended Beinn Challuim, but they weren’t seen and no flag was left. Adrian went mountain biking near Kenmore.
A great meet, many hills climbed and strong characters built.
Words and Photos by Dan