Weekend Meet 7-9 April. Steall Hut – Glen Nevis. There are still a few places left for the next weekend meet. This is a traditional hut in a spectacular location. Names to Simon as soon as possible please. Location NN177684 Access From end of public road (car park) in Glen Nevis by path through Steall Gorge for 1½ miles to wire suspension bridge near waterfall. The cottage is across the river beside waterfall Accommodation Space for 15, bring sleeping mats Facilities Electric lighting, microwave oven, toaster, electric kettle; gas cooking; utensils provided; gas heating; WC Cost – about £15 per person for the weekend, but to be confirmed. Further info…

Inbhirfhaolin, or Ibuprofen to give it its true Gaelic pronunciation, is renowned for many things. Its staggering beauty, the ferocity and grandeur of its majestic peaks which rise from the sea with such relentless pitch and, in most visits by the MMC, for its phenomenal rainfall. It was with much anticipation then that a bunch of adventurers met on Friday evening and, emboldened by a far from awful weather forecast held their collective breath – it might be a weekend of hills rather than table -traverses and ice-axe games in the kitchen. So, apologies to all that is missed out, but some endeavours went unrecorded. As with the impending promise…

The next meet is to Gerry’s at Achnashellach. Well known to generations of walkers this is the longest established independent bunkhouse in the country. Gerry died recently and the hostel is now run by his son Simon. Full details on the link below. https://gerryshostel.com/ There is still one bunk available (we’ve booked 13) but it may be possible to take addtional bunks. Please let me know as soon as possible if you want to come. Well located for a number of Munros as well as cycling and possibly even some skiing. Cost from £17 pp.pn.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

Date: Nights of Friday 1 Dec and Saturday 2 Dec Cost: £20pppn Venue: Glen Clova Hotel Bunkhouse  Google Maps. Our venue for December is the bunkhouse at the Glen Clova Hotel in the Angus Glens. Very handy for the Munros of Mayar and Driesh as well as Jocks Road and the Mounth (and the  pub), this bunkhouse is well equipped and comfortable. We have booked twelve places, (one double room and 10 dorm beds). There are still a few places so please let me know soon if you are coming as I will cancel the double room if we do not have sufficient numbers. Contact Simon Jacyna to book your…

A change of venue this year in place of the usual trip to Inchnadamph Lodge. Acheninver bunkhouse was previously an SYHA hostel that is now in its second year of private ownership. A short walk and a narrow bridge provide the access and everyone had read the joining notes, and were therefore well equipped with head-torches and batteries, managed to find it in the dark. The forecast for Saturday was cold, windy and showery. Nothing daunted, the majority, (Robert, Andy, Jan, Bea, Ben, Joe & Sheila, Alistair, Carol, David, Jake, Drummond, Al and Katie set off in two groups for the circuit of Ben Mor Coigach which is immediately behind…