2-3 February 2008 One of the attractions of using this venue (apart from a few biggish hills nearby!) was the on-site Bar & Restaurant at the Ben Nevis Inn. Unfortunately the facilities were closed for refurbishment but we were treated to some fine entertainment by Andy on guitar (nice rendering of “I wish I was in Carrickfergus!) and Fiona on her home made Stradivarius. Strong drink had to be taken to ward off the bitter cold. Despite the grim weather forecast, 11 out of the 19 members who had booked, managed to make it to Fort William on the Friday night. On Saturday the weather was still snowy and windy…
Climbing Wall at RAF Lossiemouth
Club climbing has started at RAF Lossiemouth and will continue every second week until the end of March. Meet at the guardhouse at 7.00pm. There will be a small charge for the use of the wall and photo ID is required. All queries to Joe Glennie. Remaining sessions: 13 February 27 February 12 March 26 March
Feb 2008 Indoor Meet: Heavy Whalley
Lecture by Heavy Whalley: Reflections on 40 years of mountaineering Glen Moray Visitor Centre, Bruceland Rd, Elgin IV30 1YE Thursday, 21st February 2008 8.00 pm David “Heavy” Whalley MBE BEM was born a son of the manse in Ayr. His parents gave him a love of the hills in Arran, Galloway and the Scottish highlands. “Heavy” Whalley was in the RAF from 1972 to December 2007 and involved in Mountain Rescue for all those 35 years. He was the Team Leader of RAF Leuchars and RAF Kinloss MR and Deputy Team Leader at Valley North Wales. He was the Senior Team Leader during the Lockerbie disaster and has been involved…
February 2008 Bus Meet: Laggan
Laggan – Sunday, 17 February 2008 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 A deservedly popular winter destination! 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 of 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…
Jan 2008 Bus Meet Report: Drumochter
Sunday 20 January, 2008 David Brown, George Herraghty, Flora Hunt, Malcolm and Lesley Leiper and Dan Moysey made their way up Meall Chuaich on the east side of the A9 in mild winter conditions to find strong winds and arctic temperature at the summit. Visibility was good and views to the north emerged not far below the summit. Some diverse wildlife was spotted: grouse, ptarmigan, white hares and even an eagle in flight! The descent was quick but the walk out to Dalwhinnie was a little monotonous. Disappointingly, the hotel was shut (the Highland Hospitality saga continues) however, the filling station provided welcome shelter until the 5.00 pm closing time.…
Course in basic rock climbing techniques
Ever fancied a go at rock climbing, but don’t know where to start? If you are a member of the MMC, here is a fantastic opportunity to learn all the basic techniques at minimal cost. This is a comprehensive course over 5 evenings (4 on an indoor wall and 1 at Cummingston), where a qualified instructor will show you all the basic rope/rock climbing techniques: Tying knots, belaying, building anchors, abseiling and general mountaineering skills. The cost is a very reasonable £30 for the entire course (which is a fraction of what you would pay at somewhere like Glenmore Lodge). Attendance is restricted to a maximum of 6 persons, so…
GR20: Corsican Haute Route Report
Haute Corse: 23 June -9 July 2007 In the summer of 2007, MMC members Natacha Mihajlovic, Ray Harron, John Henderson, Graeme Morrison and Simon Willatts undertook a traverse of the GR20, the high Corsican mountain range regarded as the toughest long-distance, way-marked route in Europe. Natacha’s report is both an excellent chronicle of the trip and a great guide for anyone contemplating doing the GR20 themselves. Read on and prepare to be inspired!
February 2008 Weekend Meet: Glen Nevis
2-3 February 2008 (OS 40/41) Accommodation: Ben Nevis Inn. Cost: £13 pppn. (Website) Facilities: Bunkhouse, linen supplied. Full facility kitchen, or superb pub just upstairs! NB: In Dave Galloway’s absence, email bookings to John Henderson please (or see syllabus card for John’s phone numbers) Carn Mor Dearg on last year’s Glen Nevis weekend! (Photo: Natacha Mihajlovic) With the Ben, the Mammores, Aonachs and Grey Corries on its doorstep, Glen Nevis has to be one of the most spectacular destinations on the syllabus. The accommodation at the Ben Nevis Inn is on the steep side (geddit?), but worth every penny, for the convenience and atmosphere alone. This meet is likely to…
December 2007 Bus Meet Report: Glenmore-Nethybridge Traverse
16 December 2007 We couldn’t have hoped for better conditions for the Christmas meet, which were in stark contrast to the poor weather we’d encountered for most of 2007. The sky was blue and cloudless, the air dry and crisp and the views over the Cairngorms unending. Thirty-nine club members and guests jumped on the bus to complete the traverse from Glenmore to Nethybridge. They were joined later by another six members who made their way independently to the hotel. Some had a leisurely low level walk past An Lochan Uaine and enjoyed a pre-Christmas treat at Ryvoan Bothy. Others went over the ridge of Meall a’ Bhuachaille from Badaguish…
2007 Compleaters
2007 Compleaters The 2007 vintage of MMC Munroists and Corbeteers. From left to right: Jane Trythall (Munroist), Mark Richford (Munroist), Tish Richford (Munroist), George Herraghty (Corbeteer), Dave McLean (Corbeteer), Ray Harron (Corbeteer). Tankards and Quaichs kindly sponsored by Spence and Grant of Elgin.