The Cairngorm Bus Meet on Sunday 17th Jan has been cancelled due to the horrendous conditions. The mountain has been stormbound all week and road clearing crews failed today (Thursday) to get through the 15′ drifts that have built up in places. More high winds are forecast for Friday and Saturday, possibly reaching 100mph, so further redistribution of the snowpack is  inevitable, and on a southerly, in the wrong place! Even if it were possible to get up there, which it is not, the avalanche risk on many  aspects will be high. We did consider the possibility of  a low level walk, but felt this would be unfair on folk…

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…

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…

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…

Sunday, 18 October 2009 A total of 25 members and guests turned out for the bus trip to Torridon despite the weather forecast.

Laggan – Sunday, 22 November 2009 (See Note below) 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…

Sunday, 20th September

Sunday, 18th October 2009 O.S.Map(s): 19/24/25 Est. time of arrival: 9.45 am Time of departure: 18.00 pm Leave Elgin: 7.00 am The bus will park for the day in the Alligin car park by Coire Mhic Nobuil and will depart at 5.30 pm still allowing time for a quick pub stop. Torridon is a perennial favourite and a popular with both walkers and climbers.  With a great range of magnificent hills, the choice is endless. If we get a clear day, the views will be marvellous so don’t forget your camera! The bus should arrive at Kinlochewe by about 9.30am giving time to climb Slioch, a “real fortress of a…

Sunday, 23 August 2009 The Assynt meet proved to be a popular trip, with a total of 23 members and guests turning out, despite the poor weather forecast.