Sat 6 – Sun 7 Feb 2010

Fourteen members and guests made it to the Blackwater Bunkhouse at Kinlochleven. As usual, the weekend started off on Friday night with a few drinks…but wait, what’s the matter…it was tea not whisky!  There will have to be changes next time!  Alcohol, or no alcohol, Fiona was in full flow on the fiddle.

Everyone was up early on Saturday morning.  Ali Erginsoy , Bob MacDonald, Graeme Morrison and Simon Jacyna headed for some downhill sliding action at Glen Coe.  The snow conditions were great, but the visibility above about 900m was not quite so good.  Ali (aka “fog puppy”!?) led the way off piste and promptly fell off a cliff, which he claimed was “hucking a sick line”.

Fiona Duncan and Dave MacLean went up Mam na Gualainn on the north shore of Loch Leven.  Dave gave Fiona a few lessons on how to use a GPS and they both tried out the bothy bag – very cosy.  Some Peach Schnapps added to the enjoyment of the day…and the way-finding.

Dave Galloway, Evelyn Droege and Oliver Galloway walked from the bunkhouse up to the main ridge of the Mamores.  Evelyn wisely stopped at the first top.  Dave and Oliver continued along the ridge to An Garbhanach, although they readily admitted later that it had been a bit hairy (the rope was safely stored in the car).  Daniel Moysey accompanied the group as far as the ridge, but then turned right and ascended Na Gruagaichean and Binnein Mor.  Once again the wind had sculpted the snow to form fantastically sharp “exciting” ridges.  The highlight of the day was a 500m bum slide decent!

Maggie Paterson, Graeme Gunn, Drummond Beattie, Ella Grant and Penny (the wonderdog) went up a hill somewhere.  I’ve no idea where…nothing to do with Drummond’s navigational prowess this time…I just can’t find a write-up.  Nevertheless, they all returned safely and said they had had a good time.

Illona and Geoff climbed the Glen Coe classic Dorsal Arete (II) in Stob Coire nan Lochan, reporting unconsolidated snow for most of the way.

Most folk were up early(ish) again on the Sunday.  Once again the weather was reasonable, although the cloud base was a little below the highest summits.  Dave Galloway and Evelyn set off to traverse Mam na Gualainn.  Ali, Daniel, Bob, Illona, Oliver, Graeme Morrison and Simon Jacyna went skiing at Nevis Range.  The snow conditions and visibility were both a little disappointing.  I’ve lost track of what everyone else did on Sunday, but no doubt there were some good adventures.

The weekend meets are proving popular and I had to turn away members for Kinlochleven.  Killin is already half full so if you want to be sure of a space make a booking ASAP.   Please note that Killin is slightly more expensive than usual, but I hope that doesn’t put you off.  Keep an eye on the website for details.

Dan Moysey

For more photos from this meet, click here