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April 2000 Meet Reports
August 15th - Stanage - Susan Brooke
Members Present: Kevin
Anderson, Heather Brooke, Susan Brooke, Sabina Cosulich, Linda
Crossley, John Dobson, Sheena Hendrie, Duncan Lee, Neville McMillan,
Colin Maddison, Bridget and Roger Mapleson, Craig and Sue Marsden,
Lester Payne, Chris Williamson and Ann Wooley.
Guests: Martin Greenwood,
Dave Lygate, Rosien Maddison, Thomas and Phoebe Marsden, Kate Sparks,
Clive Turpin, John Warburton and Matt.
A big thank you for all
who came out to the crag on what was an extremely unpromising start
to the day. Most people arrived at a soggy wet crag at around lunch
time with the forlorn hope of finding an area of dry rock. Ann Wooley
valiantly led April Crack, on greasy rounded rock amid the usual
atmosphere of friendly banter and general verbal abuse. However the
gods looked down favourable on this small gathering of the KMC, with
the skies brightening and the weather improving as the day went on.
The rock had dried out by mid afternoon, with people reluctantly
leaving the crag on what became a beautiful evening. Fortunately the
Whalley Bridge Cafe remained open late for a final gathering.
Once again a big thank
you to all who turned out and to Sabina and Duncan for the catering.
Apologies for the long delay in producing this sad excuse for a meet
report.
November 28th - Local Fell Run - Winter Warmer - Craig Marsden
Members Present: Alan (L)
Jones, Colin Maddison, Roger Mapleson, Dave Dillon, Christine
Beeston, Chris Williamson, Andy Croughton, Mark Garrod, Michelle
Harvey, Kevin Anderson, Al Metelko, Jim Symon, Judith Symon, Sheena
Hendrie, Neville Mcmillan, Lester Payne, Sue Brooke.
Guests: Iain Bell.
Almost Present: Joan ‘
I’ve drunk to much and am not feeling very well’ Stuart.
The meet was advertised
as a winter warmer and started on a blustery but dry winters day,
perfect conditions for what I had in mind! The little jaunt started
up Grindsbrook Clough, across to Crowden Tower, on past Pym Chair and
Noe stool, down Jacobs Ladder and back through Upper Booth (that hill
is steeper than it looks isn’t it reminds me a little of Shire
hill doesn’t it Kevin).
The meet had 2 main
contingents with one doing part of the route and a more gentle pace
enjoying the freshness of the early winters day and the other toiling
up Grindsbrook Clough very hard of breath (I did say it was designed
to get you warm early on).
There was one person who
couldn’t quite decide with which contingent he was with, you
know who you are, and was allegedly seen over taking ‘runners’
going down Jacobs Ladder. Shame on you runners!!!
There were a series of
quotes overheard that I feel should be reported to the club for
comment:
Colin Maddison - I’ve
hurt my buttock on ringing roger!!
Roger Maplesons
response - I was no where near him guv!!
Guess who - I’m
not running these are my pub trainers!
Navigation
errors - Everybody just disappeared, Who do you think these 2
culprits are likely to be?
Colin
runner or walker - There are several opinions one overheard was ‘
He was definitely running downhill the B#####d’.
??? -
Stride out!?! what the ##### (insert appropriate technical climbing
term as part of the response) do you think I am doing.
I would like to propose a
proper handicapping system for the next Fell race, Kevin should have
his legs strapped to keep his stride to normal human levels,
telescopic legs should definitely be banned. A strict definition of
walking should be introduced to avoid the so called runners being too
embarrassed.
I’m sure there must
be more, prizes for the most ingenious!?!
December 11th - Bouldering Competition, Burbage Boulders - Rob Allen
Members: Rob Allen.
Guests: Jacques-Yves
Cousteau. T Tempest, Flipper
As there wasn’t
quite enough water bucketing down from the heavens, the clubs first
sub-aqua bouldering competition was cancelled.
December 18th-19th - Ty Powdyr, Christmas Bash - Michelle Harvie
Thirty three KMC members
and guests enjoyed this years festivities, particularly Ken who was
presented with a bottle of single malt in recognition for his service
to the Christmas bash over the years. Thanks to all the chefs and
cheffetes, and to the game masters Dave (Wylie) and Andy who
entertained everyone in the afternoon. Dave and Andy were themselves
entertained as their victims ran the gauntlet of a roped assault
course (won outright by Roisin), a slalom wheelbarrow race, and a tug
of war, which was surprisingly not won by Sue Brooks team. The
creativity of the KMC was later demonstrated in the balloon modelling
and Lego building competitions. Amidst all this frivolity there were
some keen mountaineers; Colin and Duncan climbed right and left hand
Trinity on Snowdon, and Cathy (and junior), and Mark climbed on
little Tryfan wearing the legendary maternity harness. Meanwhile
Kevin braved the aisles of B+Q. Duncan was active again on Sunday
leading us all for a bracing walk up Mol Elio. Thanks to everyone for
coming, does anyone else want to organise it next year?
January 8th-9th - Sobering Up Meet at Ty Powdyr - Chris Thickett
Present (in order of
appearance): Chris Thickett (meet leader), Bob Anderson, Lester
Payne, Iain McCallum, Mark Gledhill, Cathy’s lump followed
closely by Cathy Gordon, Phil Ramsbottom, Andrew Croughton, Chris
Williamson, Kevin Anderson, Joan Stewart, John Evans, Vanessa Addison
- a total of 9 members, 2 near members, 2 prospective members and one
prospective.
The century is only a few
days old and already there is revolution in the air. Amongst the
nation’s treasures the KMC’s constitution is especially
vulnerable subsequent to an incident during this particular weekend.
After returning to the hut on Saturday evening following a satisfying
walk, a prospective member - young John from Wolverhampton - produced
a cake that he had baked himself only the previous day and presented
it to the assembled members and guests. This cake was of such a
quality that it has prompted me to put forward an amendment to said
constitution at the earliest opportunity. This amendment is to Rule
371(b), Subsection 748(ii)(k), and reads:- after the last full stop
on line 176 on page 217 of the Constitution and Rules of the
Karabiner Mountaineering Club and before the strawberry jam stain,
insert the words “All applicants must produce a cake to the
satisfaction of a senior (yet cuddly and unassuming) member of the
Club before being considered for membership.”
In the meantime, the end
of the week did not start well for the meet leader and Uncle Bob. Due
to failing memories we thought we would enjoy climbing ‘Lockwood’s
Chimney’ again on the Friday afternoon. We have now deemed it a
climb for young idiots not old ones like us. I knew we were not
having fun when Bob, losing upward traction, yet again slithered down
the greasy walls of the chimney banging bodily bits, delicate or
otherwise, until he landed in a pile of naughty words. There was no
laughing! I had got up this section using my well-arranged anatomy in
jamming foot and knee across the chasm until I had success and
handfuls of cold wet slime in my grasp. Unfortunately, it left me
suffering T.K.S. - traumatic knee syndrome. This trauma also affects
the weather and the rest of the evening and night was filled with a
tempest of wind and rain of terrible proportions. It was during this
storm Chris (W) decided to impact test his new car on a sheep - an
innocent resident of lovely Deniolen. However, Andrew and Chris
agreed that it was not a serious incident as, although the rear end
of the sheep was completely destroyed, the front end continued to
chew grass.
Eight of us lined up near
Glan Dena in the Ogwen valley on Saturday morning to participate in
the planned walk. We climbed up the splendid east ridge of Pen yr Ole
Wen and then on to Carnedd Dafydd where, in a shelter, the communal
chuckling restored the humour and spirits of Bob and myself. From
there we skirted the rim of Black Ladders to Carnedd Llewelyn then
continued on the plateau north to Foel Grach. Here we were blown off
the summit into a sheltered hollow where we had our lunch stop. We
had experienced good clear views but an unpleasant, strong and icy
wind. Snow cover was limited to small patches of hard snow and ice.
In the face of the wind we decided not to walk down the Drosgl ridge
towards Bethesda but to descend into the adjacent Caseg valley to
arrive at Gerlan where transport arrangements were executed with
clockwork precision and remarkable efficiency - you have to be lucky
sometime!
Kevin, Joan and Chris (W)
all collected a silver star each after they climbed Amphitheatre
Arête on Craig yr Ysfa. Joan confided in me that she had led
the crux before pulling up the other two. Kevin experimented with a
innovative belaying technique when holding down a sling with a sticky
turd. It was not one produced by our friends I hasten to add, but one
kindly donated by a previous party on the climb.
Mark and Cathy took her
lump for a walk up the valley above Llanberis and to the north-west
of Snowdon. Recently seen on the top of Glyder Fawr, this lump, now
eight and a half months in the making, did cause us some concern
throughout the weekend. We constantly had hot water and clean towels
to hand but nobody had a clue what to do with them if required. Only
the meet leader, himself, would admit to any experience in these
matters, having once applied gas and air to the top end whilst
joining the chorus of “Push! Push!” to accompany each
contraction at the other. There is nothing to this childbirth lark
really.
On Saturday evening
everyone gathered round the glow of the fire in the lounge. Kevin led
a lively discussion on whether or not we should continue the custom
of sinking our teeth into flesh - without mentioning whose in
particular. In a menopausal doze in a corner of the room, I reflected
sadly that my only chance is cooked meat these days. However, with
the heat of that fire, I optimistically half-opened an eye when I was
sure I could smell some pork beginning to roast.
The weather on Sunday
continued to be wintry, although the wind appeared to have moderated
slightly. Occasionally a short winter hail shower was shovelled down
on our heads. Iain, Lester, Mark and Cathy decided on activities
based at or near the hut.
A party consisting of
Bob, Phil, Andrew and Chris times two, scrambled progressively up
Introductory Gully, Idwal Buttress and Cneifon Arête in the
Idwal area. It proved a very worthwhile expedition especially in the
prevailing conditions. In the meantime, the four others were climbing
on the Slabs. John and Vanessa were enthusiastic about their ascent
of the Ordinary Route whilst Kevin and Joan spent an interesting day
studying a combination of tribology and Newtonian physics on nearby
Hope.
Without trying to be too
serious, I must thank everyone who turned up for their splendid
company and their individual efforts in making the meet such a
enjoyable and successful event. It was, after all, the best meet so
far this century!
January 16th - Grizedale Forest Sculpture Trail - Frank Williams.
Present : Derek Seddon,
lain McCallum, Brian Taylor, Lester Payne, Margaret Baldock, Al
Metelko, Linda Crossley, Dave Whittingham, Dave Shotton, Dave
Sumerfield (and Beth), John Castick, Joanne Castick, Richard Bloxham,
Alan (Liv) Jones, Frank Williams, Margaret Williams, (and including
Keith and Sue Williams at the Eagle's Head).
Guests : Jane Jackson, Hamelat Rajput.
The weather forecast was
good and the day dawned with a crisp frost in the Grizedale valley.
The turnout was gratifying and we set out to cover a selected route
round the valley in an anti-clockwise direction, one which was
nominally 12 miles, including diversions to sculptures.
The forest is a Forestry
Commission working forest and so neither trees nor sculptures are to
be thought of as permanent. So some vital or amusing pieces have
already mouldered away or had their forest context removed by
felling. The Commission, through the Grizedale Society, awards
residency grants to a variety of sculptors and artists to produce
in-context work. This has been going on since 1977 so there are many
works dotted around the forest.
Highlights included
'Between Elephants', 'Woman of the Water' (Bean ant-Visce) and
'Private Meeting' in the south-west, 'Stream Tension Structure' in
the Farra Grain Gill, 'Habitat' to the east of Satterthwaite, 'Taking
a Wall for a Walk' and the witty 'Only One Fish Left' followed by
'Some Fern' and lastly but not least 'Omphalos' on the northern part
of the Silurian Trail. We approached 'Omphalos' (Navel or Centre of
the Earth) through thick forest in almost total darkness, its form
like a faint looming ovoid seen vaguely in the trees. Discovering
the small entrance, practically the whole meet inserted themselves
inside, with mystical thoughts that, Tardis-like, we would disappear
into space/time. Or, more prosaically, roll down the slope. A few
didn't venture in but were entertained by the mumbly "rhubarb"
coming from within.
A call at The Eagle's
Head at Satterthwaite allowed us to meet Keith and Sue Williams and
to join them for a post prandial pint.
Many were the
interpretations of the work, surely the sculptors would have been
delighted at the variety of meanings attributed by so many
individuals. We marvelled at the beauty of branch patterns, since we
were encouraged to be more observant by our search for sculptures.
Our resident ophthalmologist recommended standing looking up beneath
the trees with awareness of our peripheral vision and blinking
rapidly to achieve a maximum aesthetic effect!
Anyway, we visited,
stroked, felt or just looked at more than forty sculptures - quite a
day, and I don't think anyone suffered from cultural indigestion.
Many thanks for your support and your cheerful enthusiasm for the
day.
January 23rd - Dovedale - Duncan Lee
Members present : Sue
Brooke, Sabina Cosulich, Dave Garland, Cathy Gordon, Mark Gledhill,
Kevin Anderson, Joan Stewart, Chris Williamson, Colin Maddison,
Neville McMillan, Christine Beeston, Dave Dillon, Andy Croughton, Jon
“Goose” Whitham, Nigel Rosenbaum, Roger Mapleson, Bridgit
Mapleson, Jim Symon, Judith Symon, Sheena Hendrie, Craig Marsden, Sue
Marsden and Duncan Lee. (23)
Guests present : Mark
“Jake” Wiltshire, John Evans , Roisin Maddison, Bill, Anne,
Zoe and Hanna Rosenbaum, Thomas and Phoebe Marsden and Carys
Mapleson.(10)
A fine dry day with the
occasional burst of wintry sunshine tempted a host of people to
venture out into the fresh air for a stroll down the dale at various
times during the day. A few brave souls even touched the unseasonably
warm (it’s all relative) rock. The good weather spared everyone
except Jake, Colin and Chris from having to sample the delights of
swinging around on The Bat and an adjoining A1 clip up.
Tissington Spires more
amenable classics were also given a few early season ascents. Wavey,
Christine, Neville, Sheena, Chris ,Roger and Jake all snaked their
way up the spectacular looking Campanile (S 4a, 4a *) whilst Jim and
Bridget thugged up Keeper’s Crack (HS). Goose set a good example
to Dave and John by sneaking off rightwards to avoid the crux of The
Ten Craters of Wisdom (VS 5a **); dampness was the excuse. Silicon
(HS 4b **) and Manna Mania (VS 4c *) were also awoken from their
winter slumber.
Those individuals not on
the rock operated a fine mobile picnic, crèche and gossip shop
which ebbed and flowed along the riverbank. As darkness fell most
people rounded of a sociable day with a cuppa at the Whaley Cafe on
the way home. Thanks to everyone who turned up for supporting the
meet.
January 29th - 30th - Working Meet - Dave Wylie, Hut Manager
Duncan Lee, Sheena
Hendrie, Dave Garland, Iain McCallum, Pam McCallum, Frank Williams,
Margaret Williams, Steve Taylor, Liz Taylor, William Taylor, Emma
Richards, Katie Winstanley, Lester Payne, Dave Wylie.
The working party
“regulars” who came along to this meet were honoured by the
presence of the Club’s President and Secretary, plus Dave
Garland who had been enticed to come by Duncan on the promise of
going climbing on the Sunday. Pity it rained that day...
The ongoing project to
upgrade the dormitories saw Duncan, Dave G, Steve and Dave W. fitting
insulation between the joists under the ground floor. Duncan’s
van was the nominated vehicle for collecting the insulation.
Apparently the stack of 17 sheets of 8’ by 4’ by 2 inch
thick polystyrene on the roof rack made an excellent sail! The gusty
wind also revealed that we don’t need to install extra
underfloor ventilation, demonstrated by the “snowstorm” of
polystyrene beads blowing round under the floors as the insulation
was installed.
In the Ladies washroom,
we had Emma, Katie, Sheena and Pam acting out scenes from the popular
TV program “Changing Rooms”. The re-painting is nearly
complete, but there was a bit of dispute over the colour scheme.
The girls are now
planning to do some “Breaking and Decorating” with their
tin of lilac gloss, and Sheena (with the support of Pam) is planning
to sneak down and paint the whole place white. The Hut Manager is
refusing to be drawn into this artistic battle on the basis that he
is:
- a technical manager,
not an interior designer;
male, and unlikely to be using the Ladies anyway.
All complaints,
suggestions etc. on this matter should be addressed to someone else.
Iain, Dave G. and Lester
worked on the swamp - sorry forecourt - in front of the hut. The
blocked drains through the wall to the field were cleared, and gravel
put down in place of the mud they’d removed so that it will have
a chance to dry out a bit.
Duncan’s van was
used further to dispose of the rubbish that had been accumulating
outside and round the hut. Assisted by Dave G., two trips to the tip
were made. The last remnants of the old cold water tank have now gone
to their final resting place.
The two damaged slates on
the roof at the rear were replaced by Dave W.
The rest of the roof at
rear looks OK. Let’s hope it lasts as expected until we’ve
saved up enough money for its eventual replacement.
Frank installed a
restraint post (MK.2) for the middle gate on the track. He also
labelled up the KMC Wheelie Bin in an attempt to reduce the amount of
non-club rubbish that is being dumped in it.
Much Spring Cleaning was
done by Margaret (in the kitchen) and Sheena (in the gents and the
lounge), but there’s always plenty more to do!
Other smaller jobs: Dave
G. serviced the extract fan in the Gent’s; Frank replaced the
washer on a dripping tap; Dave W. trimmed the hall/passageway door so
that it will actually close; Steve and Dave W. checked the hot water
system following up some vague reports of problems - it’s all
working perfectly.
Lunches were provided as
per usual by Iain, with assistance others including Liz, who was
excused from working under the floor as she wasn’t due to be
able to fit through the trap doors for about another month.
The only other item to
note is that the upper pane in the rear kitchen window was smashed.
Lester (who was first to arrive at the hut) reported that he’d
found a stone amongst the broken glass inside the kitchen. Whether
this was an attempted break-in, local kids mucking about or some
bizarre natural phenomenon remains unclear.
Thanks to everybody who
turned up, and apologies to Dave G., Duncan and Sheena for the
weather on Sunday, which foiled their various plans to get out on the
hill.
February 26th - 27th - Aite Cruinnichidh, Roybridge - Andy Croughton
Members present: Duncan
Lee, Sabina Cosulich, Al Metelko, Joan Stewart, Dave Dillon,
Christine Beeston, Andrew Croughton.(meet leader)
Guests: Mark
Wiltshire, Lisa Wiltshire & Steve Bowker.
After several interested
parties had made their excuses and backed out of the weekends trip to
this very popular Scottish meet the remaining ten set out on the
Friday night in search of the mysterious white substance called snow
and its more mysterious cousin ice. The five star accommodation was
still alive with activity at 12 midnight as the first party arrived,
shortly followed by two more car loads approaching from opposite
directions but arriving in almost precision timed unison, turning
into the track to the accommodation at exactly the same time. With
the road markings still vivid in the back of their eyes the two keen
teams of climbers headed straight for their beds not deterred by the
unimpressive weather forecast they had heard on the journey up, and
keen to make an early 6am departure from the lodge and start their
day with the trek to the C.I.C before the first rays of sunlight had
hit the ice covered routes causing them to thaw. The need for such an
early start soon became more than apparently unnecessary to at least
one group who after realising how mild the conditions were becoming
and the discovery of large amounts of soft snow on the hillside
decided an easier scrambling climb up one of the snow packed gullies
and an early return to the pub to enjoy a pint of Guinness and read
the paper was far more acceptable. The second group however spurred
on by our very own Al (the mountain man) Metelko carried on
regardless heading for Hadrian’s Wall Direct a grade V,5** route
on Ben Nevis that takes in the large prominent icefall on the right
flank of Observatory ridge.
On reaching the bottom of
the route slightly behind schedule and now climbing as a group of
three on one rope, with two of the party never having climbed to this
grade before, they set off on what was to become an extremely long
day not summitting until the light had faded and the rain had started
to fall in place of snow down in the mild conditions of the valley
bellow. By 10pm eyebrows were starting to be raised back at the hut.
It had been dark for almost four hours and the rain had become more
than a slight shower. By 10.30pm the decision had been made to pay a
visit to the car park to check if their car was still there and
assess whether or not it was time to start reporting in to the
mountain rescue teams. After informing Lisa of our decision to go out
in the foul night conditions to search for her missing husband who
was on his first winter trip on a grade 5 Scottish ice route, she
calmly said fine and seemed pleased that she had decided to eat
earlier and not wait for his return. Perhaps we should all have had
her relaxed and confident outlook on the situation, as no sooner had
we left the track from the hut we were passed by Marks car heading in
the opposite direction carrying three very tired and cold climbers
who, after reaching the summit of the Ben in the dark had debated on
whether or not to seek refuge in the shelter hut for the night or
head down the mountain, had spent the last four hours in cold dark
and rain tracing their steps back to the car. A day I am sure that
none of the people involved will forget and I am sure Al will repeat.
Whilst all this
excitement had been taking place through the day, the more less
adventurous members of the party who had decided to enjoy a slightly
more relaxing and much later start to the morning (myself included)
had undertaken the arduous task of trekking into the foot of Creag
Meagaidh along the valley in deep drifts of snow and build snowmen
and have bum sliding races down the hillside, in two expertly
channelled grooves. This is not something I would recommend in fleece
pants that allow the snow direct access to your back unless you enjoy
being cold and wet for the rest of the day. After several hotly
contested heats, that I did not win any of, we headed up across the
snow packed hillside to a near by Col where armed with axes and a
desire to get out of the howling winds that had nearly carried
Christine’s rucksack away we set out to dig a snow hole that
when completed could only be described as five***** accommodation and
took over two hours to construct. Tired and exhausted we headed back
down the valley to the hut for tea and an impossible game of pick up
stick’s that had everybody on tenterhooks even more so than the
fact that three members of the group were still out on the hill in
driving rain and pitch darkness.
The following morning
dawned extremely damp not only on the hills outside but also in the
hearts of all those present who after a lazy breakfast headed into
Fort William for the customary visit to the Nevisport café
before heading back south to sunny Manchester and work on Monday
morning. Thanks to all those who supported the meet and I hope that
next year there might be a chance of the weather holding out for the
hole weekend. (we can only live in hope)
(Editors note: We had a
late start, considering how early we got up, leaving the car at
7:00am, we where at the CIC (670m) just after 8:30. I had hoped we
would climb as 3 pairs but no one was forthcoming in taking either
Joan or Mark off my hands. The temperature was 4 degrees and frost
could clearly be seen on the buttresses. We departed the CIC around
9am and started the route a little after 11am (alt ~ 1200m, no sign
of any melt water, perfect ice). The first two pitches took around
2hours+ each, technically grade 4, sustained with a few steeper
bulges, full rope lengths. Both Joan and Mark climbing well. The next
two pitches (technically grade 2/3 ice sustained) where climbed
quicker as I brought both Joan and Mark up together. Final two rope
lengths was done moving together summiting around 6:45pm (still
enough light to find summit trig point). Small debate as to whether
to bivi in the shelter. Left the summit a little after 7pm in wild
conditions via Tourist Path, return to car around 10pm. Mistakes of
the day: not having a watch and thereby being a little surprised when
told it was nearly 5pm at the top of pitch 3. Thinking the route was
200m when in fact it is 300m and a reluctance to get the guidebook
out.)
February 27th - March 3rd - Mill Cottage, nr Aviemore (mid-week) - Andy Croughton
Member present: Andrew
Croughton (meet leader).
Guests: Mark Wiltshire,
Dave Lygate, Tim Horrocks, Jesper Jorgensen.
Again another
disappointing attendance by club members for a Scottish midweek
winter meet, despite the early interest by several members who
dropped out closer to the date.
Despite the poor
visibility and the high avalanche risk forecast for the week ahead,
the four people present on the Monday morning including Dave Lygate
who had spent most of Sunday travelling by train from Bristol after
attending a stag night in the guise of David Backham in a Sarong with
a rather serious hangover, arose ¾ of an hour before the alarm
clock’s and headed for Coire an t-Sneachda from the ski resort
car park, in search of possible climbing in the gullies. On arrival
the winds were in full flow and an easy ascent of Aladdin’s
Couloir was decided upon to see how deep the snow pack was in the
gullies. On reaching the summit after struggling through waist deep
snow and having a crampon fall off my boots three times it was
decided that a walk over to the summit of Cairngorm itself would be
more favourable than heading back down into the foot of the crags in
order to look for more routes that were achievable in such heavy snow
& wind conditions, although the ice to the side of the gully that
was accessible was actually in very good condition. After fighting
the winds across the tops to the summit we then headed head first
into the winds back down the upper ski runs that were closed due to
the high winds that were battering us on our descent narrowly missing
a piste basher and a lift down to the lower slopes and finding that
the mountain restaurant was closed.
After returning to the
car and feeling rather damp we headed into Aviemore to get a few
items f shopping before going into one of the local bars to sample a
few pints of the native brew. (Three pints of 80 shilling whilst sat
in a pub is a great way of getting dry and a lot less odorous than
your average hut drying room.)
Tuesday dawned bright and
early, yet again we had risen before the alarm and were keen to get
out and on to the hill as soon as possible. Despite this enthusiasm
the late arrival of Jesper in the early hours of the morning meant
that we did not actually get out on to the hill before 10am. The plan
for the day was to head out of the forest of Feshiebridge to the
summit of Geal Charn and then across to Sgoran Dubh Mor and Sgor
Gaoith (Skor goo-ee peak of the wind) the first Munro of the day. The
accent from the forest took us out into superb clear views across to
the Cairngorms with lovely fresh snow underfoot and the prospect of a
wonderful day ahead. Unfortunately after reaching the first summit we
had ascended into the cloud and were to remain in the clag for the
rest of the day, although it did remain dry and the wind was not as
strong as the day before, this combined with good consolidated snow
conditions underfoot allowed for good progress across the tops to
Carn Ban Mor, Meal Dubhag, Moine Mhor and finally Mullach Clach a
Bhlair (Summit of the stone of the plain) the second and final Munro
of the day, which I am sure came as a welcome relief to Jesper who
had been struggling to keep up with the pace over the last few tops
collapsing onto his axe every time he managed to catch up with Dave,
Mark & myself as we waited for him. It was now 5.45pm and we
still had several miles of snow covered heather hillside and a river
to cross before reaching the car waiting for us back down in the
forest car park. After finally crossing the river a good hour and a
half after dark and trekking across the moor to the end of the forest
track we finally made it back to the cars three hours after dark. (I
think Mark was beginning to get a liking for wondering around in the
dark. So much so he refused to use a head torch insisting it spoilt
his visibility.)
Wednesday dawned to yet
more fresh snow falling and Dave decided today would be the day to go
skiing and apparently so did the majority of the locals who had taken
the day off work expecting this to be the best day of the week for
snow conditions and visibility. Whilst Dave skied the lower runs of
the Cairngorm ski resort like a red demon dressed in his matching red
North Face salopettes and jacket, on his flashy bright yellow racing
skis, being mistaken for a member of the ski patrol Mark, Tim and
Jesper headed back into the snow and mist of Coire an Lochain in
search for improved climbing conditions only to over shoot the crags
themselves ending up at Lairig Ghru before returning back to the car
and another short unsuccessful day of no climbing.
Thursday saw yet another
early start, rising before the alarm clock yet again (What a keen
bunch) to more snow on the cars and plans to bag another Munro in the
form of Bynack More. Tim had opted out of the days trip heading for
the ski slopes to test the brand new ski boots he had purchased two
days earlier to the surprise of everybody else who could not believe
he had resisted the temptation to get out on the slopes two days
earlier. Jesper also backed out of the trip minutes before departure
suffering from blocked sinuses.
Mark, Dave and myself set
out for our final day of the trip in high spirits. The visibility was
improving and we were treated to more views across to Aviemore and
the surrounding areas although Cairngorm itself was still in the mist
and the winds were picking up again. Setting off from the Coire na
Ciste car park in two feet of snow we headed towards Strath Nethy and
up the flanks of Bynack Beg leading to Bynack More itself. The ascent
was not as straight forward as we anticipated with gale force winds
almost blowing us off the side of the mountain on several occasions.
Once at the summit and with the winds still howling around our heads
we decided to cut the day short and headed for the summit of A
Choinneach before traversing back down into Strath Nethy and
underneath the cornices and ridges of Coire Loagh Mor back to the car
park that was now totally clear of snow and surrounded by heather
moorland that six hours earlier had been buried under several feet of
snow. In all a very successful meet especially on behalf of the
guests present who out numbered club members 4-1
Thanks to all those who
attended and maybe next year some club members might like to support
the meet and enjoy the joys of a real Scottish winter rather than
just dreaming of the clear blue sky days, on snow covered Scottish
mountains, as depicted in the many guide books that are sitting on
all those bookshelves out there, putting people off getting out on
days with poor visibility even though the enjoyment can be just as
rewarding.
April Newsletter Index.
Copyright © 2000 Karabiner Mountaineering Club
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