With classic winter routes in the Northern Corries buried under powder snow, roadside ice crags have been getting all the action in this last spell of exceptionally cold weather. Oui Oui (III/IV), an icefall just off the road in Creag Dubh has been getting a lot of traffic – not least from MMC members. Heavy Whalley, Martin Collins and Phil Whitfield all report climbing it in the last week. With the thaw now setting in, it might be some time before it forms again. Heavy also did a wee route in Glen Kishorn that he has dubbed Farewell Falls (III). “Mark Sinclair MMC and I did this at Kishorn in…
Jan 2010 Bus Meet: Cairngorm CANCELLED
Sunday, 17th January 2010 O.S.Map(s): 36 Est. time of arrival: 9.30 am Time of departure: 16.30 pm Leave Elgin: 7.00 am The first Bus Meet of the New Year and time to burn off all those excess calories! The bus will be going as far as the Ski Centre carpark, where it will wait for the day. Members should choose their itineraries carefully. At time of writing (8 January) the forecast is for another week to ten days of sub-zero conditions, so do check the MWIS and SAIS websites for weather and avalanche risk and plan accordingly. Remember you are responsible for your own safety! Needless to say, ice axes…
J Alister Sword Photo Awards 2010
Thursday, 21 January 2010, 8.00 pm Glen Moray Distillery, Bruceland Rd. Elgin For this, the second annual J Alister Sword Photo Awards, we are changing the format from an online competition to a real time event! There are two categories again – Scotland and the rest of the world. Members should only submit a maximum of 2 photos per category. Members are asked to print off their selected photographs and take them along to the event for judging. We have invited Bob Bruce, Senior Photographer for the Northern Scot, to come along and judge the event. Also, Alan Duncan and Dan Moysey will each be making a short slideshow presentation…
2009/10 New Year Meet: Kintail
Thurs 31st Dec 2009 – Sun 3 Jan 2010 Frozen pipes and snowy roads almost led to the cancellation of the meet, but eventually seventeen folk made it to the lovely National Trust bunkhouse at Morvich, Kintail for Hogmany. The weekend was a happy mix of drink, food (lots of), music and of course some mountaineering. As usual, it is impossible to capture all the action in a short newsletter and I make no apologies for not mentioning everyone by name. Despite a few sore heads, there was plenty of activity on New Year’s Day. A large group headed towards the Falls of Glomach. Deep snow thwarted progress just short…
Christmas Bus Meet and Meal Report
Sunday, 20 December 2009 A total of 37 people turned out for the Achnashellach Christmas Bus Meet despite the very snowy weather conditions. After a long slog on the snowy road we managed to arrive at the Achnasheen roundabout. Due to the very poor conditions of the road the Christmas dinner at the Ledgowan Hotel was no longer a possibility, but everyone enjoyed a refreshing drink before the return journey. It was decided to find another pub stop on the return journey and we stopped at the Riverside Inn in Conan Bridge. The day was saved by a wonderful meal and social at the pub before returning home. Jo Chappell…
December 2009 Weekend Meet: Glencoe
Sat 12th – Sun 13th December 2009 The last time the club went to the Glen Coe area it rained continuously, but this time our luck was in and sixteen lucky folk experienced clear skies for the whole weekend. A few drinks on Friday night did nothing to deter an early start for most. Members headed off in all directions… Alan Duncan and Dave McLean went up Beinn na h-uamba (sp?). A multinational team comprising Illona Morrice, Joe Glennie, Ali Erginsoy and Daniel Moysey scrambled up Curved Ridge. They prepared for full-on winter conditions, but these only really set in towards the top. Bob MacDonald demonstrated his commitment to Munro…
November 2009 Bus Meet Report: Laggan
Sunday, 22nd November 2009 The trip to Laggan turned out to be a popular meet with a total of 34 members and guests. After a bit of debating Corinne Ferguson and Flora Hunt decided to join Jo and Paul Chappell for a walk up Beinn a’ Chaorainn. They set off from the Laggan Dam where Paul decided to take the opportunity to photograph the water falling from the Dam. They tried persuade the accompanying tourist to join them on the hills but without success!! The compass and GPS were put to use as the weather closed in half way to the summit. Strong wind combined itself with heavy sleet and…
December 2009 Bus Meet: Achnashellach and Xmas Dinner
Achnashellach – Sunday, 20 December 2009 O.S.Map(s): 25 Bus Stop: Coulags [OS 25, GR962452] Est. time of arrival: 9.00am Time of departure: 4.30pm Leave Elgin: 7.00am The Xmas bus will go past the Achnasheen junction (and the Ledgowan Hotel) and travel down the A896 to park up for the day at the Coulags (OS 25, GR962452). On the way it will pass Craig/Achnashellach Rail Station to drop off those heading for the Munros Beinn Liath Mhor and Sgorr Ruadh or the Corbett Fuar Tholl. The Coulags pass gives access to the Munro Maol Chean-dearg and the Corbett An Ruadh-stac. There is a handy bothy 3kms from the road at GR950480, on…
October 2009 Bus Meet Report: Torridon
Sunday, 18 October 2009 A total of 25 members and guests turned out for the bus trip to Torridon despite the weather forecast.
November 2009 Indoor Meet: Whisky Tasting Evening
Friday, 27th November 2009, 8.00-10.00 pm, Glen Moray Distillery, Bruceland Rd, Elgin By popular demand, a repeat of last year’s whisky tasting extravaganza from Glen Moray Distillery, our Club sponsor. Graham Coull, Distillery Manager will provide a fascinating insight into the history of distilling, legal and illegal, while you savour the hand-picked samples. The cost of the evening is £10.00, a steal at this price. Please support this event and come along for a great evening. Although pre-booking is not necessary, could those members planning to attend please email me to let me know, as the distillery would like a rough idea of numbers? Graham Milton