Weather forecast: persistent rain, risk of lightning, winds 50-60mph with gusts to 80mph, admittedly not an ideal outlook for a Club Bus Meet however the Moray Mountaineers are a hardy bunch. Despite the dire forecast, eighteen members and guests embarked from Elgin, Forres, Nairn and Inverness (not to mention Inverurie, Foggie and Buckie) to do battle with the elements.

As the coach eventually progressed along Loch Garry towards Loch Quoich, the weather didn’t look too bad. Could the forecast be wrong?

Well as it turns out, yes and no! The wind was not as strong as forecast, there was no lightning but the rain could only be described as a deluge.

First to disembark the coach were Andy and John. From Poulary, Andy and John set out with the intention of ascending Sgurr Choinnich, a Graham more usually ascended from Loch Arkaig. Andy and John managed to progress approximately five kilometres towards Sgurr Choinnich before being stopped in their tracks by an impassable burn with a somewhat dilapidated bridge. The consensus reached was that it would be better to live another day than to risk crossing the bridge so Andy and John returned to Poulary before walking a further 10km along the road in the direction of the coach.

Would you cross this bridge? (Click on photo see videoclip)

Next to leave the coach was the navigation skills party – Ray, Bill, Corinne, Gary, Ros, Jane, Sophie, Desmond, Jerry and Sheena. The original plan of traversing Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach had long since been abandoned. Plan B was to walk the valley to the North of Gleouraich but this also had to be abandoned at the 735m plateau to avoid raging torrents of water. The group chose a straight-forward route down to the road whilst enjoying learning some navigation skills from Ray. The weather was not ideal for learning new skills as it was too wet to hang around for long. Well done and thanks to Ray for managing to provide some tuition to the group in “such horrible weather”.

… and finally Paul, Alistair and Malcolm, described in the Moray Mountaineering Club Book of Climbs as “the intrepid trio”, set off to climb Gairich, acknowledging that they might have to abandon the attempt if the weather was as forecast. In the event, they were the only group to achieve their aim. Yes, some normally small burns were raging torrents, and it was a bog-trot to end all bog-trots, but all successfully summitted.

Alas, the exploits of Bob, Fiona and Drummond didn’t make the Book of Climbs.

On returning to the bus, everyone was grateful of a change of clothes and remained in good spirits despite being soaked through. The bus departed one hour earlier than planned and a pleasant pub stop was had by all in Fort Augustus.

Two new members were signed-up on the Bus. Welcome to Jane and Gary.

Andy Lawson