The bus will be leaving Elgin at 7:00, with the normal en-route stops at Forres (7:20), Nairn (7:40) and Inverness (8:00) and should arrive at the Cairngorm car park by 9:30. Hopefully there will be plenty of snow about, and this will be an opportunity to practice your winter skills in the company of some of the more experienced members (Ray and Heavy) of the Club. A number of topics will be covered including the use of ice axe and crampons, and you will need to bring all your winter gear. If you would like to take advantage of this sharing of knowledge and experience, then please mention this when…
Bus (Car) Meet, Ben Wyvis, Jan 2018
Date: 21 January 2018 Destination: Ben Wyvis Meeting Point: Car park on the A835 at 09:45 Transport: Private cars (no bus) This is a car-meet to one of our closest munros. The “normal” route to the summit is not too long, which makes this ideal for a short winter’s day. Don’t forget that this is winter, so ice axe/crampons etc likely to be required. Contact Gordon Eccleston if you are interested.
Jan 2018, Bus (Cars) Meet Report, Ben Wyvis
First of all, a warm welcome to Gillian (a new member to the club) and Fiona ( a “new” member to me). 9 members (Gordon, Sean, Rob, Alistair, Fiona, Ray and Gillian) plus 1 guest and 1 dog set off with great plans to tackle Ben Wyvis on Sunday 21st January. There were another 2 members on this adventure – but they had to call off due to work commitments. So, at the later start time of 8:00 at Elgin car park some of us met up to arrange some car sharing. Unfortunately, with the temperature at -5C one of the car keys started playing up. We eventually abandoned the…
Jan 2018, Weekend Meet Report, Plan B Hogmanay Ballater
The advertised Hogmanay meet to Feshie Bridge was cancelled at the last-minute owing to a cock-up with the booking. The official story identifies the culprit as the hut custodian …but on the other hand, and just in case evidence emerges to the contrary, the 2018 awards committee is seeking information regarding the shoe size of a certain grey-haired gentlemen. Shortly after the cancellation was announced, there was a flurry of emails and Facebook chatter, out of which arose Plan B… let’s go to the Ballater Hostel. Places were limited and so there was insufficient space for all those on the original list – the Book of Climbs records the attendees…
Weekend Meet, Glen Etive, Feb 2018
Date: nights of 2nd & 3rd February 2018 Venue: Grampian Club hut, Inbhirfhaolain, Glen Etive Location: The hut is situated 7 miles from junction of Glen Etive Road with Tyndrum/Glencoe Road (A82) and 5 miles from Loch Etive Pier. Google Streetview, Grid Ref NN 159 507 Facilities: A basic but comfortable climbing hut, sleeping 13. Double sleeping platform supplied with mattresses, but bring sleeping bags. Electric lighting, heating, cooking and refrigeration; utensils provided; multifuel stove; water from burn (100 yards); Clivus composting toilet. No shower. ***Remove all rubbish on departure*** Cost: £15 pp . (plus coins for electricity meter) Nearby Hills: Munros: Buachaille Etive Mor, Buachaille Etive Beag, Creise, Meall a’Bhuiridh, Ben Starav, Beinn nan Aighenan, Glas…
Bus Meet, Xmas 2017, Speyside Way
The xmas 2017 bus meet comprised a walk along the Speyside Way followed by a meal at the Grant Arms hotel in Grantown. Thirty seven members attended the meet, most of whom partook in some pre-dinner exercise. Some might question what a “mountaineering” club is doing ambling along the Speyside Way. Well, firstly, this is the xmas meet and so it’s all about the social; and secondly, this is winter, and the Speyside Way can pose a surprisingly tricky obstacle to the unprepared. As was discovered when the first batch got off the bus near Tormore Distillery. The challenge was the three metres of sheet ice that lay between the…
December 2017, Weekend Meet Report, Glen Clova
Glen Clova is one of the Angus Glens, which along with Glen Isla, Glen Prosen and Glen Esk, take great bites out of the southern Cairngorms. Those of you that read the Scottish Mountaineer will have seen the recent article about The Carn Dearg Mountaineering Club’s brand-new Hut in Glen Clova. Unfortunately, I can’t offer any more insight on this exciting development. What I can say is that the rather tired and overpriced Glen Clova Hotel Bunkhouse will be closing in spring, to be transformed into more en-suite rooms for the hotel. It may be only 55 miles as the crow flies, but by road it is a tortuous 3-hour…
Christmas Meal Bus Meet, Dec 2017
Date: 17th December 2017 Route: Ballindalloch to Grantown-on-Spey (Speyside Way) Pick up times: Inverness (8:00), Forres (8:40), Elgin (9:00). Arrival: ETA Ballindalloch (turn at Cragganmore Distillery): 10:00 Return Journey: Grantown (Dep 19:00) – Inverness – Forres – Elgin Cost: Bus fare is £15 and the cost of the meal is £25, which includes a glass of wine. This years Christmas walk is part of the Speyside Way from Ballindalloch to Grantown-on-Spey. Details of the walk can be found on Walkhighlands. The coach should arrive at Ballindalloch at approximately 10:00. The coach will then go round to our destination (Grantown-on-Spey). The walk is approximately 14 miles and should take between 5…
Hogmanay 2017: Feshie Bridge
Date: nights of 30th December 20167, 31st and 1st January 2018 (3 nights) Venue: Mill Cottage (Grid Ref NH 847 047) Cost: £30pp (total). Payment required in advance to reserve place (If you pay by bank transfer, please also email Simon Jacyna) A nice hut well located for the western cairngorms with a good choice of activities available – hopefully there will be ski touring this year. Costs to be confirmed but this is a low cost venue, (except for the alcohol). Payment in advance will be required in due course. Bookings to Simon Jacyna as soon as possible please by text or email.
2018 MMC Calendar
2018 MMC calendars are now available for the bargain price of £5 per calendar. Contact a member of the committee to purchase. The committee will bring some to the forthcoming meets, including the Film Night, Glen Clova Weekend Meet and Xmas Bus meet.