Sat 5th – Sun 6th March, 2011

12 residents, two dogs and a tinker turned up at Rucksacks Bunkhouse for the
usual shenanigins.

Dave Whitelock scaled new heights of MMC musical talent by playing vaguely in
tune and entertained us royally. Graeme Morrison did somewhat darkly lament
the bygone days of late night partying, but as if on cue, Bob MacDonald returned
from the pub to remind us all that there definitely are more things to weekends
away than scaling the heights.

Saturday was a fine day of sun screen and floppy hats, with thoughts even
turning towards shorts wearing and skinny-dipping (Noooo! Mind-bleach – Ed.)

Drummond Beattie and Andy Brooks climbed the mighty Lochnagar via Black
Spout. Drummond’s terrifying description of the route somewhat tempered by
the mention of a dog in the party in front!

Graeme Gunn and Maggie Paterson got top marks for the longest day as they
cycled and walked across Beinn Bhreac and Beinn A’Chorainn. Sol cannot ride a
bike, so he ran.

Ptarmigan, hares and grouse accompanied Evelyne Droege, Dave Galloway, Ray
Harron and Dave Whitelock as they went up something that Evelyne has
beautifully and sadly illegibly written about.

Bob MacDonald and Ali Erginsoy, in preparation for a trip to Norway, had a great
day of skiing in the company of a group of friends too numerous to mention,
traversing Glas Maol and descending the improbably named Banana Couloir.

Dave Mclean and Jake Lee, eschewing simpler options, went for a daring ascent
of the Corbetts Culardoch and Carn Liath. A hard day made bearable only by the
stunning views, Milton Duff and tequila.

Being a glorious day all around Glen Shee and Braemar and with so many great
hills to go in to, it would take a desperate Graham-bagger to drive an hour into
dreich weather and climb two non-descript hills in clag and mist.  Alan Duncan
and Graeme Morrison drove the winding 34 miles to climb Cat Low and Corwharn
in almost zero visibility on Saturday. Penny TWD went too – but only because she
had to.

I know that people went out on Sunday, but as I wasn’t with them and as they
left no word, any record of those days of skiing and walking will remain solely in
the memories of those that went. Undoubtedly the best place for them.

I do know however, because I was there, that Andy Brooks and Jake Lee
searched for and eventually found the ‘secret hauf’ up a glen I cannot divulge
the name of. (Not that I am sworn to secrecy – just can’t remember). It’s a good
walk and a fabulous bothy. There was even a half bottle of single malt left
there. It was sampled merely for purposes of identification and remains for the
next weary traveller. A fine trip ended with Andy musing that even the short
easy days were becoming longer and harder. The only cure for that is to keep
going out. It won’t get any better, but you’ll just stop caring.

Jake Lee

For more photos from this meet, click here