Sunday, 17th April 2011 Despite a very favourable weather report, there were a mere 24 members on this Bus meet. The day was warm with little wind and a thin veil of cloud was just covering the tops of the big Nevis range hills in the distance. A good spring day, and the start of the serious hill walking season!! This Laggan/Spean Bridge road is a very convenient route for dropping off and collecting people, without, unfortunately, the option of walking to a Pub! First off the Bus at Aberarder Lodge was Ray Harron (with all his mates!). He walked up to the trig point on Carn Dubh, and then…
April 2011 Weekend Meet Report: Torridon
Sat 2nd – Sun 3rd April A perennial favourite, the Ling Hut was full to over-flowing with a few desperate stragglers even consigned to the distant car park. A foul Friday night with a fouler forecast for the next day, saw our assorted band huddled in the storm-battered hut, muttering grimly about low-level routes and alternative days out. And so it was, after a start that was more Alpen than Alpine, and with far too much credence given to the weather guess, various parties set out. Evelyne Droege, who was in the area for a few days, decided to take a little time out to smell the flowers, and visited…
April 2011 Bus Meet: Laggan
Laggan – Sunday, 17th April 2011 O.S.Map(s): 34, 41, 42 Bus Stop: Laggan Dam Est. time of arrival: 9.45am Time of departure: 17.00pm Leave Elgin: 7.00am The bus will park at Laggan Dam for the day but can go on to Fersit if required in order to access the circuit of Stob Coire Sgriodain and Chno Dearg. To the north of the dam lies Beinn Teallach and Beinn a’ Chaorainn. Getting off the bus at Aberarder for Creag Meagaidh is always a popular choice on this meet, it can be climbed via the path going up to the “window” or as part of a high level walk over Carn Liath and…
March 2011 Bus Meet Report: Mullardoch
Following the shore on the north side of the loch, Dave Whitelock, Tish Richford, Kath Taylor, Bob Litster, Frances Brittain and James Chitty headed up the steep heathery slope of Mullarch na Maoile. They then headed north up the snowy ridge of Carn nan Gabhor at 992. A strong buffeting wind now greeted them as they made their way northwest to Bealach na Cloiche Duibhe 796. On reaching the bealach they continued up the increasingly steep northwest ridge of Sgurr Lapaich in waist deep snow. The decision had already been taken to return to the bealach, as the wind proved far too strong to continue on over to Sgurr nan…
March 2011 Weekend Meet Report: Braemar
Sat 5th – Sun 6th March, 2011 12 residents, two dogs and a tinker turned up at Rucksacks Bunkhouse for the usual shenanigins. Dave Whitelock scaled new heights of MMC musical talent by playing vaguely in tune and entertained us royally. Graeme Morrison did somewhat darkly lament the bygone days of late night partying, but as if on cue, Bob MacDonald returned from the pub to remind us all that there definitely are more things to weekends away than scaling the heights. Saturday was a fine day of sun screen and floppy hats, with thoughts even turning towards shorts wearing and skinny-dipping (Noooo! Mind-bleach – Ed.) Drummond Beattie and Andy…
March 2011 Bus Meet: Mullardoch
Sunday, 20th March 2011 O.S.Map(s): 25 Est. time of arrival: 9.30 am Time of departure: 16.30 pm Leave Elgin: 7.00 am There are plenty of hills to choose from in this fine area both north and south of the Loch. To the north there is the challenge of how many mountains you can squeeze into your day, however unless you are very fit then the lure of An Socach might have to wait until another day while you concentrate instead on the superb lofty walk over Carn nan Gobhar, Sgurr na Lapaich and An Riabhachan. To the south of the Loch is Toll Creagach and Tom a Choinich. If you…
February 2011 Bus Meet Report: Torridon
Sunday, 20th February 2011 The Crowning Glory of Scotland, Torridon, attracted forty-five members and guests of Moray Mountaineering Club, yes forty-five. Did it live up to expectations? “Oh yes!” The jewel in the crown, Beinn Alligin, whispered its alluring call to Rob Murray, Jenny Smith, Dave Whitelock, Kath Taylor, Bob Lister, Illona Morrice and Graeme Morrison. With idyllic clear skies and a gentle breeze, conditions seemed perfect for a ridge walk. On gaining the ridge, however, the party were hit by strong cross and head winds as they rounded Toll a’ Mhadaidh Mor. The traverse of the Horns proved to be quite interesting. With snow and ice covering the more…
May 2011 Weekend Meet: Harris
Sat 30th April – Mon 2nd May 2011 O.S.Map(s): 8/13 Accommodation: Rockview Bunkhouse, Main Street, Tarbert, Isle of Harris, HS3 3DJ Cost: £30 pp for the 3 day weekend Getting there and Facilities: Calmac Ferry from Uig (Skye) to Tarbert, OR Ullapool to Stornoway. Stornoway to Tarbert by road is about 35 Miles. The bunkhouse is situated within a few minutes walk of the ferry terminal. It has a kitchen with all the usuall stuff and a couple of showers. Harris is a magical and mystical island of hills and beaches. An Cliseam at 799m is the highest peak in the Outer Hebrides and the archipelago’s only Corbett. More information…
April 2011 Weekend Meet: Torridon
Sat 2nd – Sun 3rd April 2011 O.S.Map(s): 19/24/25 Accommodation: Ling Hut, Torridon, Grid Ref NG 958 563 (Website) Cost: TBC Facilities: The hut is basic, but it does have a kitchen, heating, and a loo. You will need a sleeping bag. Mobile reception is poor. Probably best to be self sufficient in terms of supplies. Park your car in the car park marked on the OS map at NG 958 568. The hut is a 10min walk – follow the path heading south from just east of the road bridge. There is a fantastic array of hills within walking distance of the hut. There is also good climbing at…
March 2011 Weekend Meet: Braemar
Sat 5th – Sun 6th March 2011 O.S.Map(s): 43 Accommodation: Rucksacks Hostel Cost: Alpine Hut (£18 pp), 4-bed dorm (£30pp) and Twin room (£34 pp for the weekend) Facilities: Fully equipped kitchen. Sleeping bags required in Alpine Hut, but not allowed elsewhere. Dogs OK in Alpine hut as long as they are well behaved! Click on map to enlarge (opens in separate window) Rucksacks Hostel is in the centre of the village, near shops and pubs, at 15 Mar Road, Braemar. Head west along Mar Road (the road from Braemar to the Lynn of Dee). Turn left just past the Fife Arms Hotel and then turn right just after the two…