Special welcomes to a new member, Stewart Evans, a returning member, Dave Galloway, and, of course, the LDWA members. This brought the total to 23 members on the bus for the clubs’ first traverse from Dalwhinnie to Laggan.
First stop was at the road leading down to Dalwhinnie Station. We were supposed to pick up another member, Debra, at the station for the traverse – but my apologies for missing Debra at Dalwhinnie. So, John H, Dave G, Pete M, Susan, Maggie, Ailleen, Stewart, David, Tom, Peter G and Joe set off on the traverse. After a short while, Joe had to be reminded to get a move on as his plans involved walking/running along the Aonach Beag ridge. This involved 4 Munros and a further 3 hills of note. Of course, Joe managed to get back to the pick up point on time and fortunately, there was a nearby river to help him have a refreshing cool down! The rest of the group had a leisurely stroll along some good paths taking in a footbridge crossing, stepping stones, and a beach with plenty of time to take in the views and still have 2 lunch stops! At the final lunch stop, a break away group of Tom, Stewart and David climbed the Munro Geal Charn.
Next off the bus were George and Bob. George had done some research and found that the pub at Kinloch Laggan was open. So, he planned to do the Graham, Meall nan Eagan and then head north (instead of taking the more scenic rout to Catlodge and taking in the Falls of Pattack). Both were rewarded with fabulous views and the best pint in the world!
The last drop of point was at Lubilea. Lenny, Bruce, John K and Magda set off for Creag Pitridh and Gael Charn. Ray, tackled Beinn a’Chlachair by the direct route before including Creag Pitradh on his return to the bus.
Also getting off at Lubilea were Ella, Drummond and Fleur. They tackled the Grahams Binnein Shuas and Binnean Shios with great views all around.
Plenty of time to include some pleasant walks around the loch sides.
Jake also got off at Lubilea, with the original intention of joining the Ella, Drummond and Fleur group due to his “winged-pigeon” demure but he couldn’t avoid the allure of tackling some of the hills. Best to read his own account of his exciting day in the club’s book! Here’s hoping that Jake makes a speedy recovery so that he can get back to playing the guitar and resuming his “normal” hillwalking.
There was plenty of time for a refreshing pub stop at Newtonmore. It was nice to see Newtonmore in the sunshine after the last club weekend meet there – which was a bit of a wash-out. Anyway, Joe reflected on the record water levels and enlightened us on the flow of water in these parts.
One small incident, involving a disappearing rucksack! When Lennie got off the bus at Nairn, his rucksack wasn’t there. After some phone calls, a drive back to the Inverness drop off point and … well, it turned out that the bus boot closing mechanism ejected the rucksack when we stopped to pick up George and Ray. Thankfully, Lennie was reunited with his rucksack, and its precious belongings, on Monday. Anyway, a lesson to be learned – I’ll need to check that nothing is left behind at every drop-off and pick-up point on future bus meets.
A reminder that the next bus meet is to Kintail on Sunday 18th September. Details to be posted on the clubs’ Facebook page and website.