Sunday 20 January, 2008

David Brown, George Herraghty, Flora Hunt, Malcolm and Lesley Leiper and Dan Moysey made their way up Meall Chuaich on the east side of the A9 in mild winter conditions to find strong winds and arctic temperature at the summit. Visibility was good and views to the north emerged not far below the summit. Some diverse wildlife was spotted: grouse, ptarmigan, white hares and even an eagle in flight! The descent was quick but the walk out to Dalwhinnie was a little monotonous. Disappointingly, the hotel was shut (the Highland Hospitality saga continues) however, the filling station provided welcome shelter until the 5.00 pm closing time.

On the west side of Drumochter, Paul Chappell and Jo Cross went up A’ Mharconaich and Geal Charn with guests Moira Baptie and Morven Bridges. To begin with, they sank in the soft snow but it got firmer the higher they got. The top of the hill was frozen solid which gave Jo and Paul the chance to try their crampons for the first time. Less snow up Geal Charn made for an easier ascent.

Moray Anderson, Ali Erginsoy and Bob Macdonald got at last, an opportunity to go ski touring on a bus meet. The snow conditions were not as good as the week before but beggars cannot be choosers. The trio skinned up Coire Dhomhain, then swung north to the summit of A’ Mharconaich and skied down to the bealach at the top of Coire Fhar. This was followed by a boot stomp up and down Geal Charn. Eventually, they skinned back up to the summit plateau of A’Mharconaich and enjoyed a wonderful ski back down to Coire Dhomhain and back to the road. Moray dropped Ali and Bob at the bus as he had driven down from Inverness.

The largest party of the day, consisting of Mike Coxon, Martin Dowd, Paul and Ian Gerraghty, Ray Harron, John Henderson, Lee Madden, Natacha Mihajlovic, Ray Newell, Martin Tull and Simon Willatts, started at Dalnaspidal and first climbed the Sow of Atholl which was a tough start as the soft snow made progress very slow. They continued to the first munro, Sgairneach Mor in reasonable winter walking conditions and as the wind picked up, pressed on to Beinn Udlamain and A’ Mharconaich. Time and fading light just allowed for a quick dash to the fourth munro, Geal Charn to ensure a timely return to the bus.

Dougie Adam, Graeme Morrison and Rob Murray also started their day at Dalnaspidal and climbed Meall na Leitreach. This was followed by the ascent of the Sow of Atholl and the Boar of Badenoch which had a good snow ridge for the descent.

All 26 guests and members enjoyed a great, sometimes tough day in good company. A welcome pub stop at the Winking Owl in Aviemore rounded off the day nicely.

Natacha Mihajlovic