Eight Miles High Mountaineering Club

Eight Miles High Low Down

The Meet Report

Glen Doll, 2^nd to 3^rd March 2013

Attending

John Kirkham

 Martin Dand

John Meechan

 Andre Hawryliw

Jake Brewster

 Drew Jackson

Jimmy Taylor

 Graham Wylie

Base Camp Note One

This will probably be the last time that the Eight Miles High uses this Carn Dearg Hut as a splendid new wooden building is taking shape along side, leaving Andre drooling at the prospect of hot showers! The hut’s Dundonian owners must be experts in obtaining grants and other assistance from the likes of the Lottery Commission as the photograph shows that this will be a very grand hut.

Doubtless when the new hut is ready (probably in the summer) it will be considerably more expensive to hire than the old one, which we used with its character and history (estate agent speak for degenerate décor and a leaking roof). It is alleged that the current hut has already been condemned more than once, and the owners are clearly avoiding any cash expenditures on it. For example the roof is obviously storm damaged and leaking, but there are no repairs, just a large army surplus tarpaulin held down with ropes and log weights. The cold dry weather was therefore a blessing, whilst the log stove soon warmed the place up, assisted by the electric fire and other comforts that John Kirkham brought with him.

Base Camp Note Two

Friday night was whisky night for the cleek and Jimmy Taylor must be on the pills again (not the Holstein Pils) as he had to be helped to bed (although he soon sobered up when Martin offered to remove his trousers for him).

Base Camp Note Three

Martin and Andre were seen in the bushes with their trousers down. When challenged they claimed to be applying Ibuprofen Gel to their knees. Might be better to form a three legged hill walkers club as it’s Martin’s left knee and Andre’s right that are giving trouble (but Andre would also have to wear ear defenders).

Base Camp Note Four

The bizarre conversation (even for the Eight Miles High Club) on Friday night drifted on to the depressing subject of piles and bowel cancer. Later Martin wondered off and lost John Meechan’s head torch, whilst John is not sure if he wants it back.

Weather Notes

Excellent. Cold and dry with occasional sunny intervals which were longer in the morning. The snow cover had been quite deep but was now partially thawed in the glen. Still extensive, deep and icy on the hills and paths.

Hill Notes – Friday

• John Meechan and Graham Wylie went climbing in Winter Corrie. Poor conditions forced them back from Diagonal Gulley and they almost got to the top of Backdoor Gulley before fear of being benighted also drove them back. The climbing was on narrow snow and ice covered ledges, and even John Meechan admitted that conditions were desperate and dangerous. The retreat entailed an abseil and Graham was devastated to abandon his brand new and largest (£10) sling for the purpose (but still preferable to being benighted).
• Everybody else travelled on Friday with the first members of the club arriving at about 4pm in the afternoon.
  
  
  

Hill Notes – Saturday

• Graham Wylie and Drew went to attempt B gully in Corrie Fee but poor conditions made them descend and head to the easier A gully before coming down by the Shank of Drumfollow
• Messrs Brewster, Kirkham and Taylor (aka “The Cleek”) went for a “wee dander” around Glen Doll, getting to the Clova Hotel first.
• John Meechan went for a walk and met the Cleek in the Clova Hotel
• Martin Dand climbed Driesh (but not Mayar), via the Kilbo Path. Very icy conditions on the path meant that he wore his crampons for the whole day, not bothering to take them off on the summit.
• Andre Climbed Broad Cairn from Jock’s Road, returning via Bachnagairn and Moulzie. This had not been the original plan, but the weather was clear, the snow extensive and firm, and he did not bother looking at his map once on the plateau until it was too late and he had gone too far.

Hill Notes – Sunday

Nothing! The club is getting soft! Due to other commitments the members all had to get home on Sunday morning, which was a pity as it promised to be another excellent weather day.