Strawberry Cottage 14th – 15th April 2012

Attending

Davie Paterson

Lindsay Wyllie

Drew Jackson 

Mike Paterson

Graham Wyllie

Stevie Gilfeather 

Apologies 

Andre Hawryliw (it became Nick’s ’official’ 30th Birthday Weekend in Glasgow) 

Base Camp Notes 

Given the popularity of this superb remote location it was perhaps surprising that only six members of the club decided to go ‘cottaging’. Perhaps some members were afraid that other pastimes were involved in cottaging! Perhaps it was because the car parks in Glen Affric were going to charge that scared off the more tight-fisted members (the payment machines were certainly installed but not yet functional).  Perhaps it was one of those weekends when all sorts of other activities coalesce, and excuses included a splinter group going off to climb “Wee Hills” on Jura, plus a number of family events, not to mention football and the Hearts. Despite the lack of washing facilities, Strawberry Cottage is comfortable, well appointed and highly recommended, and at this time of year the dreaded midges have yet to appear (cottaging midges were a problem here in the past when only the truly desperate would venture to the out-house toilet and only when dressed like Darth Vader).     

Weather Notes 

The pictures prove that the weather was excellent: very cold and clear with just the occasional “blattering” by heavy snow showers, which added greatly to the scenic early spring beauty once they had blown past.   

Special Note One 

The use of foreign words and phrases is permissible in Scrabble (Saturday night) provided that they are in reasonably common usage in the host language. For those still wondering, “Quo Vadis” is Latin for “Who goes there”, something like a sentry’s challenge, and also a famous American film from the 1950s. In turn this degenerated into a more complex discussion/argument on the merits of progressive rock: Foreigner versus Status Quo (do you follow the dubious ‘logic’ of the conversation?). 

Special Note Two 

Two cars were taken in on the land rover track to Strawberry Cottage and parked just short of the bridge over River Affric. This was a sensible choice as it enabled the cottagers to enjoy a healthier diet by not having to carry in supplies: that is, beer and wine rather than whisky and vodka. (What was that bump in the (Saturday) night when a nameless person fell off the couch?) 

Special Note Three 

Mike Paterson is turning into a second ‘Bald Eagle’. Stomp, stomp, stomp around the cottage in the wee (get the meaning) small hours of the morning. 

Hill Notes – Friday 

Drew Jackson & Stevie Gilfeather – Carn nan Gobhar from the dam at Cannich via a boggy path, following an early(ish) departure from Fife and brunch at the recently re-opened café by the station in Dalwhinnie. Reaching the summit about 4pm they were treated to excellent views in clear air, especially of Sgurr na Lapaich, a temptation that they had to resist (with much lamentation from Drew) as they were committed to rendezvousing in the pub at Cannich at 7pm with  the other cottagers, who were driving up in the afternoon. Even more temptation was resisted by the collected cottagers who amazingly only spent half an hour in the pub before moving on to Glen Affric itself. 

Hill Notes – Saturday 

Messrs Jackson, Gilfeather and the two Patersons – Mullach Fraoch-choire using a boggy trail up a ridge from Glen Affric, crossing several deer fences along the way. The views of Ceathreamhnan, Mam Sodhail and the Conbhairean Group were outstanding. En route a memorial cairn was found to Michael Matthews, the youngest Briton to ascend Everest (age 22), but unfortunately killed on its descent in 1999. The continuation to A’Chralaig looked fantastic but had to be abandoned 150 metres from the summit because of jagged pinnacles, unpredictable snow, and clear evidence of avalanches (more complaints and much lamentation from Drew). Four somewhat disappointed climbers returned to Strawberry Cottage, although that journey was enlivened by the amusing sight of ‘The Captain’ (maritime, aka Davie Paterson) attempting a river crossing with some difficulty (it’s the attraction of water).   

Lindsay Wyllie – Sgurr Gaorsaic, a Corbett at the top of Glen Affric, approaching the Bealach an Sgaime which leads into Kintail. A walk up the attractive glen, followed by a steep ascent/descent under snow to get there and back again. 

Graham Wyllie – A mammoth expedition of almost nine hours which involved skirting round from the Bealach Coire Ghaidheil to Beinn Fhionnlaidh then over to Mullach na Dheiragain before cutting over to the col below Stob Coire na Cloiche and returning via the Alltbeithe path.  

Hill Notes – Sunday 

No hills climbed, just the longish drive back to Fife, ready for work on Monday (ugh!). 

Spring has Sprung! - Stevie Gilfeather

With several days of high pressure in March and the call of the wild growing again it was rucksack packed and full steam ahead to any nearby hills for some wandering. First port of call was the 2 easterly Drumochter hills  Carn na Caim and A'Bhuidheanach Bheag (first visited nearly 12 yrs ago)…Not the most exciting of hills but once I'd bypassed the land rover tracks and industrial workings it was great to be strolling over the moorland bumps with biggggg skies stretching as far as the eye can see en-route to Carn na Caim…Notable was the buttress like hill fort of An Dun close by as well as different views towards the Cairngorms. The 2^nd summit came and went and as I had time I wandered out to the top of Glas Mheall Mhor (were I happened to take a very large order over the phone!)..the return was by Coire Chuirn to spice things up and let me tell you coming down icy gullies in mid march makes even these hills fun!!

            Less than a week later the esteemed Mr M Dand and myself accompanied by Murphy the terrier set off for Beinn Tulaichean and Cruach Ardrain from Inverlochlarig on a beautiful March morning – the start of that uncommon spell of high pressure otherwise known as “Scottish Summer”. Hoardes of walkers were seen ant like ascending the back-end of nearby Stob Binnien leaving the 3 musketeers to wander up  the 1^st hill of the day…Wee note here, the track from the farm is a boggy mess, its better to skirt around further on..We were soon on top of Tulaichean were we began to find ourselves in a weather window all day, with snow and hail blattering past on both sides of the hill leaving us in bright sunshine. Soon we were on the summit of Cruach Ardrain after passing the tourists coming from the Crianlarich end. Great views over to Ben More and Stob Binnien, which shed their coats of snow as the day went on and also panoramic views of the Trossachs, Arrochar alps etc etc. We were soon back down on a fantastic crisp evening thinking about a pint. Two hours later we were standing in a Tesco car park with cans of beer in Falkirk after 1. not stopping at suitable refreshment establishments 2. Me driving too fast and missing the turnoff for Kincardine 3. Martin talking too much – no surely…Great day however!!

            “D ye fancy a wander” so went the dulcet tones of the BIG FELLA Mr D Jackson a week or so later. Indeed I do and off we set for a leg stretch to Beinn Ghlas and Lawers. All of his ticks are past the Great Glen now y see. Unlike the last week at Strawberry cottage we were hard pressed to find any snow en route but as this was Lawers we did pass several walkers clad in non hillwalking gear…jeans, plastic bags etc etc..Beinn Ghlas was reached and left behind and for me it was nice to actually see the views from the summit of Lawers (last time it was horizontal everything being chucked at us…i  suppose it was July at the time). Leaving the very close looking An Stuc etc. behind we set off down the glen on the alternative descent discussing the philosophical theses of Roger Mellie, the abstract art of Finbar Saunders and of course that true renaissance man Sid the Sexist…chortle.  

Sgurr a'Mhaoraich - Drew Jackson

As i had been working early shift all week, the body clock was semi-nocturnal so I set off for Loch Quoich at the unearthly hour of 04.10 from Glenrothes. The car was packed the night before and so it was clothes on and a quick coffee and on my way. I had booked a night at Invergarry bunkhouse so I was set for the night after Sgurr a'Mhaoraich. I arrived at the layby at the start of the ascent and was on the hill at 07.10 and made swift (ish) and steady progress up a fine path. There were a couple of swathes of snow to traverse,but nothing awkward and I summitted at 09.30. Had there been no cloud I might have seen the wonderful views down Lochhourn and the surrounding mountains but it was not to be. I continued the circuit northwards over to Am Bathaich and then down the zig-zag track down to the river Quoich and along the track to the road back to the car.

Beinn Sgritheall - Drew Jackson

 The body clock was still on 'earlies' so it was early to bed and up before the 'lark'. So I breakfasted and set off for the drive round to Arnisdale over the winding Mam Ratagan around 06.00a.m. I managed to get a wee lay by about meters from the wee pile o'stanes that marks the start of the path up to the west approach ridge. The path was decent only a couple of 'smooshy' bits to negotiate up to the deer fence stile. From the stile it was a short distance to gain the ridge. The gradual shoulder took me up to the steeper last few hundred metres of ascent and I summitted at 09.30 again.This time I got a view down Loch Hourn and out to sea and to the islands...braw! On my way down at the bottom of the steep bit I stumbled and did a wee roll on the mossy grass. After I recovered I had a look around to see if anything had fallen out of my sack. Everything appeared fine, later i realized that I must'ave dislodged my GPS from it's clip on my sack and and failed to notice it had fallen off, whether there or at another point. Anyway I was down when i noticed that I was short of an Etrex GPS....only fly in the ointment of anotherwise excellent day in the hills..

Inbirphaolain 2nd - 4th March 2012

Attending

Davie Paterson

Irene Morris

John Kirkham

Mike Paterson

David Morris

Andre Hawryliw

Apologies

           Jimmy Taylor (was coming with Jake)

           Jake Brewster (back troubles)

No-Shows

           John Meechan (saw the weather forecast?)

           Martin Dand (pass withdrawn?)

Meet Notes

The Inbirphaolin hut is in a fantastic location down Glen Etive. The club has been going to the hut for many years and despite it's age it still makes for a cracking venue due to it's proximity to many Fine Munro's and Corbett's. Storm damage to the surrounding woods has produced a lot of lumber for the fire, but this was difficult to burn again because of its high water content. The grand feature of the hut remains the ‘Execution Shed’ composting outside toilet which remains remarkably ‘pong-free’ .

Weather Notes

Friday evening and Saturday, apart from around midday, were very wet indeed: typical West Coast Driesch with the rain coming straight down in volumes. It was drier around Saturday lunch time and then it turned colder and drier with a light smattering of snow on Saturday night. Sunday was an excellent day: cool and bright with lots of sunshine and only a few snow squalls moving quickly over the hills.

Special Note One

Davie Paterson started to climb Stob Coire’an Albannaich with his brother but after 100 metres thought the better of it in the pouring rain, deciding to join Irene and John on their expedition to the bright lights of Fort William instead. Later it was pointed out that he had climbed it before (along with Meall nan Eun) but he had forgotten (it was on 13^th April 2002 with a large group of Eight Mile Highers to be precise). Therefore Davie got two Munro ‘ticks’ on Saturday without actually having to climb anything.

Special Note Two

It seems that John Kirkham has developed a taste (addiction?) for Kentucky Fried Chicken, and given the weather on Saturday, he decided to go to Fort William in search of the elusive Colonel Sanders. Irene, and later Davie, decided to go along for the ride. Unfortunately only McDonalds has made it across the Atlantic to Fort William, so they had to retire to Morrison’s Supermarket, where Davie treated himself to a full size all-day breakfast. Meanwhile John bought a few packs of fruited scones and some small jars of jam to share for a High Tea back at the hut.

Unfortunately John was not wearing his glasses and the small jars turned out to be pickle! This was not immediately obvious at High Tea. Davie was the first to experience a Branston pickle scone which he had been told was blackcurrant jam. Too polite to say anything at first, he assumed John had been buying cheap out of date produce again and that it had gone off. Others were soon less polite! Peach Chutney is no better on a fruited scone. Those less visually challenged soon discovered the source of the strange taste from the labels on the jars.

Hill Notes – Friday

John Kirkham – The Stob (a Graham in the vicinity of Balquidder)

“Very wet and no visibility”. Used a mountain bike for access so got very muddy.

David Morris – Creag Mac Ranaich (a Corbett from Glen Ogle)

Meanwhile Irene had a snooze low down in her sleeping bag in the car at the Lochan Lairig Cheille and was treated to the frontal view of a group of men urinating at the side of the road (apparently the lochan translates as the ‘Loch of the Boys’, so perhaps that is how it got its name).

Hill Notes – Saturday

Mike Paterson - Stob Coire’an Albannaich (a Munro from lower Glen Etive)

Succeed in terrible weather, low visibility driving rain, etc. Decided not to continue to Meall nan Eun due to the conditions.. The whole range was shrouded in mist and rain all day.

Andre Hawryliw - Bein Maol Chalium (a Corbett from Inbhirphaolin)

Very wet going up and down, but wonderfully clear on the summit ridge. An excellent hill (highly recommended) with good views all around (unfortunately did not take camera due to the heavy rain at the start).

David Morris – Beinn Trilleachan (a Corbett from the bottom of Glen Etive)

Also very wet to begin with, but this was the only other hill to clear and to remain so for much of the day. It proves that the sun really does shine on the righteous, although there was a long walk back on the road as Irene was back late from Fort William.

Hill Notes – Sunday

Andre Hawryliw – Beinn Mhic Chasgaig (a Corbett from Altchaorunn)

Interesting plank bridge across a deep Himalayan style gorge (smaller and straighter then Glen Nevis) leading to a steep ascent. Very wet underfoot with another river crossing, but excellent weather and just a few cloudy snow squalls moving through. An excellent hill with superb views of Creise, the Buachaille, and out across Rannoch Moor: highly commended.

Everybody else went home and missed out on a superb weather day on Sunday as the following pictures from Beinn Mhic Chasgaig show.

Thanks to Andre for the meet report