The yearly Glenbrittle meet in Skye did not disappoint. Despite the promise of high winds, intrepid mountaineers managed to mountaineer! Both old and new members all had a fantastic time with highs on the Cuillin ridge (Jule and Lauren saying it was their best day on the hills, ever!), serenity being found at Coire Lagan and people ready to burst after eating enough food to feed a moderate sized army.
Adventures were had on the Friday for some lucky part timers. Unfortunately, none of these adventures were immortalised in the Big Red Book. Having said this, Babs was spotted near Applecross Corbett bagging on Beinn Bhan. Jule was seen half way up the Forcan Ridge. Dianne and Brent too were out mountaineering somewhere in the west highlands.
That evening, tentative plans were hatched, but given the expected severe buffeting, there didn’t seem to be too much promise of epic mountaineering days. As always, that doesn’t stop folk having a grand day out! The next day, the magic seven (Justin, Babs, Matthew, Evelyne, Drummond, Katrina and Alison) decided to stay protected from the wind and head to Coire Lagan. They had a wonderful time having lunch watching Anta and Joe W climbing.
A second larger group headed for Coire a’ Ghrunnda. At the base, they each split off into their own respective groups. Andy L had his sights on bagging the Munro Top Sgurr Sgumain, and went his separate way.
With Dan and Joe G looking to assess some of the more difficult parts of the Cuillin Ridge, namely the T-D Gap and the King’s Chimney, David decided to seek adventure and join them. They split off from the larger group and headed to the base of the T-D Gap. Once on the ridge, the wind was spectacularly gusty, looking at the moderate, but highly exposed climb onto the top of the T-D Gap, before the abseil with the wind, they were not filled with confidence. At this moment, Joe G mentioned that we were next to what is claimed to be the last climbed peak in the UK, Sgùrr Coire an Lochain, reputed to have been first ascended in 1896. They made their way over and reached the highest point on the ridge. Interestingly, the true summit of the ridge, was in fact lower than the highest point. Down a loose Diff climb, with no suitable protection. With sense getting the better of them, they decided looking at the peak was good enough. And there were grand views! Back they went up a very delightful Grade 3 to Bealach Mhic Choinnich, looked at the Kings Chimney then headed down the Great Stone Chute. A grand day out looking at things!
Graeme was guide extraordinaire for the group of Steve, Jule, Lauren, Ann-Marie, Maggie and Lilla. Given the wind, they were planning on heading to Coir a’ Ghrunnda and re-evaluate. With little wind and warm weather, they made the decision to head up to Sgurr nan Eag. Despite the buffeting the T-D gap three experienced, there was very little wind on the south of the ridge! Anne-Marie, Maggie and Lilla decided that they had a fantastic day and would head back down to the hut. Instead, the rest had not yet had enough and made the most of the fine weather and fine views, so they continued on to Sgurr Dubh Mor and Sgurr Alasdair. There was just one moment the group found the wind quite challenging, at this moment Steve became very intimate with a rock. Jule had wondered if they even exchanged phone numbers. The four met up with Dan, Joe G and David at the base of the Great Stone Chute to head back in the rain to the hut.
Brent Dianne and Dottie chose to head out in the Dot-mobile to Talisker bay. They had a wonderful walk along the beautiful coastline. It seems they got the worst of the wind, with it “howling a hoolie” the whole day! Following the walk along the coast, they headed up Preshal Beg and were in awe at the towering hexagonal basalt columns. They made their way over to the sodden top of Beinn Bhreac and were rewarded with stunning views over to the Black Cuillin in the eerie light. They had a fabulous time posing as Jack and Rose from Titanic into the wind on the way down, how this worked with three, is anyone’s guess, they then got back to the car.
The spread on offer that evening was quite extraordinary, a group meal of bruschetta, bolognese, crumble, cake followed by cheese and biscuits! But when it got to 2000, and Anta and Joe W weren’t back, David as the meet coordinator was getting slightly apprehensive. Knowing they had a big day on Jeffrey’s Dyke in Coire Lagan, he was not expecting them to be back early, but his mind was put at ease when they arrived safely soon after! They had a proper mountaineering day, climbing 300m up wet rock and avoiding slimy rock. Anta thought there should have been some music on somewhere, with Joe W’s disco legs! A fantastic day out for Joe W’s first ever multi-pitch day out. In Anta’s words, “How hard can a diff be??”
Sunday brought more of the same weather, so many took the opportunity to get home early. However, Evelyne explored the Balmacara Woodland, onto the beach and had a lovely walk. Meanwhile, Anta, Maggie, Katrina, Jule and Drummond too were keen on heading out, and so walked from Morvich, Kintail up to the Bealach Na Sgriane between Beinn Fhada and A Glas Bhein for the afternoon. They were rewarded with glorious sunshine, great views and also a bit of ascent on our “low level” walk!
As Andy B wrote in the BRB, It’s great to be back here again, no matter the achievements of the weekend!
