After sampling the delights of the South-West (no, not Cornwall, Pembroke or even Galloway, but the Rough Bounds of Argyll) the Moray Mountaineering Club surged ever southwards in its pursuit of those components of a grand weekend which we all crave. And so folk gradually arrived at the Ochils Mountaineering Club’s cottage by Crianlarich. Some chose to visit the bar at the Ben More Hotel, while others decided to sample the various ales, gins, wines, ciders or whatever other drink of choice had been brought with them… cup of tea anyone…? The last of the stragglers arrived and the pub-bound people returned and a good traditional sociable club evening was had, while planning routes in the hills for the following day.

Saturday was forecast to be the better day of the weekend so everyone was up early, the last of the faffing, slightly worse-for-wear club members leaving the hut well before midday and the entire contingent was mountain-bound.

Evelyne had a great day on Beinn Odhar with superb views of Ben Lui, reckoned by many to be Scotland’s most beautiful hill, and was able to combine the views with good weather and good company and conversation with a fellow hill-goer encountered en-route.

Judith and Illona had a very good day on Ben Lui. They climbed an easy gully with excellent snow onto the southeast ridge of the hill before slithering down soft slush on the southwest shoulder to Glen Lochy.

Dan, Graeme M, Jenny L, Donnie and Penny TWD set off for a wee wander… I’ll let them take up the story…

“Cruach Ardrain (1) – Beinn Tulaichean (2) – Beinn a Chroin (3) – An Caisteal (4).
With the weather set fair we decided to make a big day out taking in the four main summits. There was just a little low cloud to start, but this disappeared along with the fog in Jenny’s head. After a few hours summit 1 was achieved. The second was a lot easier with just some easy snow slopes. Then off to the depressingly low bealach (circa 500m) before a steep ascent of Beinn a Chroin. The final slopes almost proved too much for the Mountaineering Mum, but with some gentle encouragement along the lines of “man-up, get a move on” the whole party was once again standing together on summit 3. Crampons were donned for the descent which quickly balled up sending Don to his arse (again). A trudge up some more steep slopes led to summit 4 and the final descent, which included a fantastic bum-slide.
10 hrs, 15 min, 5 sec, 15¼ miles, 1750.3 metres of ascent.

Beinn Tulaichean from Cruach Ardrain (Photo by Dan)

… and then onto Beinn a Chroin (Photo by Dan)

The inimitable Andy B led a party of mountaineers up the mighty Cruach Ardrain, with the plan to “have a look” at Y Gully on its northern flanks. Fiona, Rachel, Bob and Joe accompanied Andy up the partially, and somewhat confusingly, forested lower slopes and the group made the ridge leading up towards the North-West side of the hill. Andy, Bob and Joe then strapped on their crampons (well, Joe strapped on Bob’s spare crampons because he had inadvertently lost his) and they set off traversing in towards the start of the gully. Fiona and Rachel thought better of it and started up the steep western slopes leading up to the summit. On the traverse the tantalised trio encountered increasingly deep windslab conditions and by the time the lower reaches of the gully were reached they all agreed that although an avalanche was unlikely, it just wasn’t unlikely enough. An easy decision really, and the thoughtful threesome bid a retreat back to the western side of the hill. Sensibly, given the low temperatures and brisk wind, Fiona and Rachel didn’t wait too long on the summit before heading on to Beinn Tulachean. Bob and Joe followed in their footsteps sometime later to this lovely little viewpoint and tried to work out what was what… Ben Lomond, Ben Ime, Ben Vorlich, the hills of Arran… while Andy descended back down the ridge towards Crianlarich.

Rachel at the summit of Beinn Tulaichean (Photo by Fiona?)

Sunday, as forecast, was a little driech. Some shorter days were had and smaller hills climbed but given everyone’s great day on the Saturday, and the prospect of a long drive home no further mountaineering feats of note were accomplished.

But aye, it is a fine area down there, one for many more club visits.