On Sunday 15th December, thirty-three Club members attended the Bus Meet to Glen Affric.

Prior to heading to Glen Affric there was some discussion on the bus about potentially changing the meet destination, as the MWIS North-West Highlands forecast was suggesting gusts to 120mph i.e. hurricane force  !  We agreed to stick with Glen Affric as planned; a good decision as the wind appeared to be weaker than forecast (at least it was at lower levels).

On arrival at the Dog Falls car park, thirty of the thirty-three aboard disembarked to undertake a variety of low-level walks. George and Don were next to leave the bus to undertake an ascent of Beinn a’Mheadhoin. Last but not least off the bus was Gordon who set out to ascend Aonach Shasuinn.

Thirty off the bus at Dog Falls

Dancing on Ice

AndyB, Joe, Natacha, Ros, Corinne, BobM, Fiona, Drummond, Ella, BobW, John, Bill, Sandy, Sheena, Fiona, Alan, Sheila, Jane and Kat undertook a low-level walk along the South-side of Loch Beinn a’Mheadhoin. The weather started off ok but soon deteriorated to incessant rain.

AndyL, Dan and Graeme also walked along the South-side of Loch Beinn a’Mheadhoin but with a brief diversion to ascend Carn Fiaclach (457m). The ascent was sufficiently steep to warrant using numerous clumps of heather as handholds.

View from the summit of Carn Fiaclach

Jake and Derrick set off from Dog Falls towards Plodda Falls but were unable to cross a burn in spate and so walked out as planned to the Slater’s Arms in Cannich. Always a good idea to have a walk that finishes at a pub!

Alas the ventures of Paul, Jo, Brent, Dave, Jenny and Ray didn’t make the Book of Climbs although I suspect a low-level walk along the South-side of Loch Beinn a’Mheadhoin was also undertaken.

George and Don successfully reached the summit of Beinn a’Mheadhoin (613m). Great quantities of weather were experienced and port and whisky were consumed at the summit – wonderful! Walking poles were required during the descent to avoid falling over in the wind – must have been the Highland Park.

Gordon turned back from his ascent of Aonach Shasuinn owing to strong winds, hailstones and a desire to get back to the bus on time for the evening meal.

All returned to the bus safely (and soaked) with in excess of one hour to spare. The bus therefore departed early much to the displeasure of Jake and Derrick who thought they were about to have two hours of drinking in the Slater’s Arms but were interrupted not long after drinking the first sip from their first pint .

From Cannich, the bus returned up the A831 to the Priory Hotel in Beauly where there was a lovely sunset.

Sunset in Beauly

After an hour or so of informal drinks the group sat down to an excellent three-course Christmas meal. During the meal much hilarity was had with the small goodies from inside the crackers – little plastic moustaches; spinning tops and plastic fingernails. Kat demonstrated a variety of uses for a little green fingernail .

Christmas Meal at the Priory Hotel

Following the meal, five Club members were congratulated and awarded with tankards or quaichs for compleating rounds of either Munros or Corbetts.

Congratulations to:
New Club Munroists: Ella Grant, Gordon Eccleston, Colin Cowie and Brent Craig.
New Club Corbetteer: Alan Duncan.

A number of other Club members were also congratulated for various achievements during 2013 including Steve Bate (summiting El Capitan), Malcolm Campbell (cycling Land’s End to John O’Groats), Dan (ascending Mera Peak and Island Peak) and Joe, Jake and GraemeM (various Alpine ascents).

Thanks were expressed to the Committee and also to non-Committee helpers for organising various meets and events and for provision of Club training.

…. and finally, Jake presented the nominations for the 2013 Boot Award.

The 2013 Nominations
AndyL: for travelling all the way to Kent and Sussex to ascend <300m Marilyns
Jane: for lighting a sparkler indoors and setting off the hostel fire alarm at 1:30am
Joe: for falling off his bike and taping up his wounds with Gaffa tape, which he kept on for a whole week before replacing the Gaffa tape with … more Gaffa tape
Malcolm: for losing his keys, phone and wallet on a club meet then following an extensive search by numerous Club members finding them all in his jacket.
Dave ‘One Night’ Whitelock: for locking himself out of his car.

A highly-sensitive and expensive clapometer was used to judge the nominations.

The 2013 Winner
Joe was just 1.56 decibels ahead of Jane claiming his right to the 2013 Boot Award. Joe proudly accepted the award from Drummond (who seemed hesitant to let it go) with the following wee speech, “I’m so happy and proud to have contributed silliness, ineptitude and incompetence to the club for almost a decade.”

2013 Boot Award Winner

Well done Joe.

Thanks to everyone who attended the Christmas Bus Meet and Meal.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

Author and Photos: Andy