4-5 October 2008

The Lazy Crofter Bunkhouse at Durness played host to seven MMC members for the October weekend meet. The hostel’s excellent facilities where fully utilised when that night the rain arrived out of the north and increased to a torrential downpour lasting until Saturday lunchtime.

This allowed a late morning start and a leisurely breakfast as we all stared out the window, watching the bad weather while Joe sat writing poetry on the settee.

Paul Chappell and Jo Cross where the first to break. As the rain eased, they set off to explore Smoo cave with its fascinating internal waterfall. Although the rain came to an abrupt halt at midday, it was too late and too windy for a serious hill day. A walk to the MOD firing range at Faraid Head via the cliffs was a good compromise for Daniel Moysey, Graeme Morrison, Joe Glennie, Dave Galloway, Jake Lee and Ruby. The way was blessed with wildlife and included the sight of a skua in flight and a few swallows who should have been migrating south. The vision was ruined however by the sight of an abandoned domestic gas cooker beside a sheep shelter in the centre of an open moor.

As the rain front moved south, the snow capped summits of Cranstackie, Foinavon and Ben Hope appeared. Making their way down to the beach at Balnakiel bay, Jake, Joe and Dan braved a force four breeze for an incredibly quick skinny dip. Dave and Graeme got cold just watching. Meeting up with Paul and Jo further on, the seven completed their ten mile trek.

Sunday saw two trips planned with Dave, Dan and Graeme starting out for Ben Loyal from the Ribigil Farm. This involved two kilometres of good Land Rover track followed by three kilometres of single-track bog to the base of An Caisteal. On gaining the summit, which consisted of a huge piece of bare slippery rock, they continued on over the next spot height to the bealach beyond, descending the NNW corrie to the woodland edge and making their way back to the path in just under six hours.

Jake and Joe G went for a north ridge ascent of Ben Hope. Locating the overgrown entrance to the northern end and finding somewhere to park was their first challenge. They made it and made the base of the climb via a gully, before taking on the obvious north ridge. They missed the bad step out as it was wet and greasy with loads of exposure. The sounds of stags roaring and the sight of numerous rainbows and the fact that the showers mainly bypassed them gave them reason to celebrate with a well-earned pint at the broch before returning home.

In conclusion, a disappointing turnout but a very good location.

Dave Galloway

For more photos from this meet click here