We all arrived to unpack fast and race across for a quick drink in the Roy Bridge Hotel, only open on a Saturday evening. 8 in the hut and 2 outliers in a cottage. David and John managed Beinn Fhionnlaidh on the way.
Sunday 11th February
Tom started out all excited and ready to attempt the Ring of Steal when the weather closed in on the Western peaks. As he summited An Gearanach the claggy weather caught up and all the world was getting ready to disappear. Tom retreated to the car admiring the Steall waterfalls.
Pete, Andy, Hugh and Gordon summited Beinn Tealloch, 915m from Roughburn (Loch Lagan) adding Beinn a Chaorainn. A straightforward route to Beinn Teallach, descending to bealach at head of Allt a Chaorainn Tur. Then up to Beinn a Chaorainn with a white out on top of the ridge. All three tops covered and a descent of the ridge.
Dave, John and Helen headed up Sgor na h-Ulaidh, crampons and ice axe required by two and the summit pleasantly dramatic looking down on a snow filled gully and cornice. David led the way home on a bike with squeaky brakes and no lights despite dusk.
Monday 12th February
The forecast was poor so Andy, Dave, Hugh the two outliers and friends headed up Sgurr a’Mhaim looking for a shorter day, unfortunately high winds stopped play resulting in the team turning back at about 750 meters.
Tom, Peter and Gordon stayed low and explored the ‘Puddy Line’ a disused tramway, which consisted of an easy but squelchy walk along the redundant line with three cordoned off bridges to cross. A detour was made around three of them but one enjoyed a balancing walk over the girders. A riverside walk for the return journey and returning to the car dry. Red squirrels observed.
Helen swam in the local pool, joined the gym and sat online. John chilled in the lodge.
Lorna and Simon called in for tea and cake and discuss plans. They became regular visitors over the week and we all learnt about charging electrical cars and the Walkhighlands web site.
Tuesday 13th February
A wet morning led to a beautiful sunny afternoon with snow showers. Four went to the climbing wall in Fort William and enjoyed it all to themselves. Tom and Hugh headed up from Fersit and with heavy snow they turned round from Meall Cian Dearg, a mini alpine day aiming for Stob Coire Easain. Tea and biscuits featured daily with hot toddies courtesy of Geoff’s Shackleton whisky, made by Dave who also cooked the daily porridge. Dave checked out Fort William’s cafes before working in the library. John managed a little local hill, Meall Nan Luath.
Wednesday 14th February
Peter and Gordon took a train to Corrour and completed Bienn na Lap in deep snow with some step kicking. They were back in good time for the return train and dropped in to see Jan at the youth Hostel. Dave and John completed Carn Dearg from Corrour, then decided that soft snow in a whiteout was less than ideal for the continuation to Sgor Gaibhre. They stayed a night in Ossian Hostel utilising the spare food cupboard and some spring greens from Jan, and found Scrabble was played to a high standard.
Andy and Helen completed Beinn a Chlachair, Gael Charn and Creag Pitridh in gentle conditions, snow on the ground but quite mild. Andy working like a fell runner and Helen the shuffling shadow, sometimes at a considerable distance but always there. A golden eagle soared above to complete a perfect day.
Lorna ,Simon and friends headed off up the same track by bike hoping to join up with Andy and his Shadow, but they remained distant moving objects never to catch up. We did say hello to Hugh and Tom as they peeled off up their hill. Hugh and Tom completed Creag Pitridh with its long 5.5k walk in along the excellent track to Lochan na h-Earba.
Thursday 15th February
Gordon and Pete, after the full English, spent the morning doing micro navigation practice from the church above Achluachrah taking in Chrachaire, a sheepfold, various spot heights, fence corner junction and a massive bog trot back where Pete managed to get a boot full.
Tom and Hugh both went to Fort William shopping. Helen online again elevating a swollen knee after a small bash on a rock.
John and David managed Sgor Gaibhre, returning by the 16.00 train.
Andy joined Lorna and Simon bagging two more Munro’s, Carn Sgulain and A’ Chailleach whilst bog trotting.
Food was amazing as Hugh cooked up Cuillin Skink and finished with trifle before Helen headed off with Hugh to the 20th anniversary of the Fort William Mountain Festival.
The award for the best biscuits goes to Lorna and Simon topped only by Hugh turning out the Cuillin Skink. As Tom commented he never lost weight on any of these trips, the food has been wonderful. John’s leftover Camembert wafting out of the fridge on every opening.
Friday 16th February
David and John drove up to Loch Quoich and squelched their way up Gairich, a mountain they were actually able to see!
Lorna, Simon, Jeremy and Martin with Andy and Helen cycled up Glen Finnan through a beautiful Glen with a train passing overhead and Harry Potter waving down. The deer were being fed hay looking with bemusement as we cycled by. Today there were 7 people shadowing a long way behind the Pied Piper Andy charging off in front and running back to the bikes. Blue skies at times and sun attempting to break through, the snow sugary and the crampons left in the car.
Pete, Gordon and Hugh left from Fersit and climbed Stob Coire Sgriodain and Chno Dearg, an ice axe needed for the first time this trip and kicking steps on the ascent. Interesting mountain structure with lots of tops. A nice high col between the two summits. Descening Chno Dearg Pete did a lot of glissading, Gordon tripped in the deep snow and broke his pole.
Tom kept the home fire burning.
Everyone out to Spean Bridge Station Restaurant for a well earned meal and to complete the meets report. A toast to absent friends Pete McGlynn and Geoff Nichols.
Saturday 17th February
Everyone headed south except Helen, John and Dave who cycled in and ascended Gulvain. Before heading in their different directions. A productive meet. Mountain bikes were very useful for reducing the walk ins.
Geoff
Lorna’s pictures
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