Once again this proved to be the most popular meet of the year [so far] with 28 members and guests heading north for a weekend of hills and hilarity.
Once again Dave Treagus and Alistair Jeffs got off to an early start and climbed An Faochagach on their way up on Friday. They got wet from the rain, river crossings and long grass and put a tick in their books.
Saturday dawned with the weather somewhat better than forecast and groups headed off in all directions. Greig, Ben, Brad, Al Dennis and Jenny Smith went bouldering at Reiff in the rain and wind and ‘established’ a new problem. Setting the tone for the coming evening this was duly named the ‘Gay Sailor’.
Babs, Susan Birse, Susan Jacyna plus Macdhui the Lab, Jan, Evelyn, Ray and Melanie went to Sandwood Bay. They found a newly built and very good path, heavy seas, a sheltered lunch spot and little rain. Macdhui did his best to boost club membership by rounding up other tourists. They enjoyed the wild atmosphere and Ray got some excellent photos of rainbows.
Simon, Dan, Sarah Collins, Dave Treagus, and Fiona Duncan thought they had found a dry solution to the weather forecast and headed to the Allt nam Uamh Stream Cave, with the Farr Series as their objective. This starts with a low section with two tight crawls; unfortunately the first of these had three inches of water, just enough to be a little ‘sporting’. Fiona, whose torch had flat batteries and whose spare was back at the hostel, decided that sport was not for her and walked back to the hostel. The others got wet and enjoyed this spectacular stream cave with a leisurely lunch at the far end.
Fiona entering the Cave
David, Simon, Sarah and Dan at the end of the Farr Series
Katie, Jen and guests Bea Chater and Dougal Lamont braved the elements and climbed Canisp, being rewarded with a break in the clouds and snow and spectacular views of Suilven from the summit. Bea thoroughly enjoyed her first west coast hill and Dougal was vastly amused by his fall into a bog.
Bea, Jen and Jenny on Canisp
Dave MacLean and Jake, after the customary late start headed up the glen to the bealach at Glas Bheinn from where Jake returned while Dave continued over Cnoc an Droighinn enjoying the view from the summit.
Alistair Jeffs headed up Conival and on to Ben More Assynt, returning the same way. He was less fortunate with the weather and found it quite slippery in places.
And finally, last as usual??, Ella, Alan Duncan and Drummond headed off on the boggy footpath from Loch an Gainmhich and walked back to the hostel via the detour to the Eas a Chuil Aluinn waterfall which is the highest in the country. Despite the rain adding to its volume they felt that the view of it from the top is somewhat disappointing but nevertheless enjoyed their walk in weather better than forecast.
So, what do the songs ‘tangled up in blue’; ‘candle in the wind’; Monty Python’s ‘lumber jack song’; ‘the ugly duckling’; ‘the golden lions’, ‘atomic’ and many others have in common? They were among the many weird and wonderful costumes for the now legendary fancy dress halloween party whose theme was ‘dress as a song’. A brief interlude for fireworks and the party continued into the small hours; without the excessive exhibitionism of the previous year.
Ben, Jenny and Greig
David (Monster Mash)
Babs and Evelyn did a sterling job clearing up the debris but otherwise Sunday as ever is less well documented; a complete mystery in fact, but it is thought that a few people may have wandered up a hill somewhere as once again the weather was less bad than forecast.
A tremendous weekend at an excellent venue, so thanks to Chris for opening up especially for us. I guess that little remains for me to do now other than to book it again for the same time next year.