Sat 6/Sun 7 March 2010

Fourteen members experienced the delights of Killin…a central location giving access to a loads of hills. Saturday was a glorious day with little or no wind and excellent visibility.

Several parties drove the short distance to Glen Lochay.  Dave Galloway, Oliver Galloway, Hannah McIntosh, Daniel Moysey and Evelyn Droege did a circuit of Sgiath Chuil and Meall Glas.  This was Hannah’s virst winter hill, but that didn’t stop her leading the way.  Fiona Duncan and Alan Duncan went up Creag Mhor and Stob nan Clach.  The initial plan to also include a third hill was re-thought on seeing the huge drop between the two.

Jake Lee and Dave McLean set off “not to early” for a couple of Graeme’s (Creag Each and Creag Ruadh) and neither saw nor heard and sign of human activity all day.  Ella Grant and Drummond Beattie had a 9 hour day struggling through the snow to the sumuits of Ben More and Stob Bineinn.  They also found evidence of a very large avalanche.

Graeme Morrison, Bob MacDonald, Ali Erginsoy and Penny (“the wonderdog”) had an excellent ski mountaineering day.  They did a circuit of Meal Buidhe and Stuchd an Lochain, situated to the north and south of Loch an Daimh respectively.  A long and tortuous circuit of the loch was avoided by crossing the frozen body of water.  the adventure really started after safely returning to Graeme’s five-day-old off-roader.  Keen to test its snow going capabilities they headed for the 500m pass between Glen Lyon and Glen Lochay…got through, but only after a considerable amout of work with the shovel!

Sunday was a little grey, but still no wind, so we can’t really complain for the time of year.  Despite the long days yesterday, everyone was keen for more, but unfortunately I’ve lost track of where everyone went so apologies for any omissions.  Ella and Drummond climbed Schiehallion.  Daniel, Graeme, Ali and Bob went up Meal Ghaordaidh, the former with a plastic bag and the rest with their fancy skis.  Allan, Dave, Fiona and Jake went up Beinn nan Imirean/Sgiath Chuil.  Dave, feeling a bit worse for wear, turned back after about an hour.

The accommodation (Braveheart Backpackers) left a bit to be desired, especially given the price, so if we go back again it will be the village hall (at least we know that has no hot showers!)

Dan Moysey

For more photos from this meet, click here