Fourteen members successfully completed the first challenge – finding the Inbhirfhaolain hut in the dark; not an easy task for first-timers.
Saturday was dry with great views and lovely snow – a meteorological phenomenon not seen in Glen Etive since the days of General Wade. Folk headed off in all directions.
Rachel Higgins and her two sherpas, Dave (two nights, one walk) Whitelock and Malcolm Campbell, packed their winter mountaineering kit (waders and a snorkel) and headed up Ben Starav. The day started with the traditional bog trot, but this soon gave way to snow. With ice axes at the ready they ascended the fantastic ridge that leads all the way to the summit. The adventures continued on to Glas Bheinn Mhor, which was reached just in time to see the approaching cloud.
Dave Galloway went on a top secret military mission and as such all records have been destroyed. Rumours are circulating that the mission was so secret that even Dave didn’t know where he was!
Graeme Morrison, Donnie McLennan Jake Lee and Penny TWD went up the two summits of Buachaille Etive Beag (Stob Dubh and Stob Coire Raineach). Fiona Duncan and Alan Duncan went up Beinn Trilleachan (try the Etive Slabs next time) where they enjoyed crisp snow and fantastic views. Maggie Patterson and Graeme Gunn set the trend by ascending Beinn Fhionnlaidh.
Dan and Sheena Forsyth had a fantastic day’s skiing at Glen Coe. Despite being the smallest resort in Scotland, it is probably one of the best.
Bob Macdonald went on a low-level, but long, walk over the Lairig Gartain to the Kingshouse and then up to the ski centre for tea and cake with Dan and Sheena.
The drought of the past 24-hours broke on Sunday, which sent most folk scuttling off to the nearest cake shop. However, those with a list to tick and the foolhardy set off into the hills again. The records are scant, but I do know that Jake, Graeme, Penny TWD, Malcolm, Rachel and Dan went up Beinn Fhionnlaidh. The first hurdle was the river crossing. The girls both got wet – but we never heard Penny moaning about wet pants. On reaching the steep bit, Jake (I’m not fit) led the way at an “alpine pace” that left even Penny gasping for breath. The summit weather “sub-optimal” and the descent in the now continuous rain rather miserable.
We all leave things behind every so often. Some even have a team of volunteers collecting stuff behind them (Fiona, I have your crampons) so most stuff gets reunited with its rightful owner eventually. About five years ago I left my grans old cooking pot in the hut. I’ve been back in the interim, but to no avail. However, this there it was sitting on the shelf – someone had even cleaned it!
Author: Dan Moysey
Photos by: Dave Whitelock, Rachel Higgins and Dan Moysey