Edinburgh Mountaineering Club: Meet Report
<<< Carrbridge BunkhouseGallerySail Mhor Croft Hostel >>>
Misty day on the tops of Aonach Mor - Alison C EMC Fringe (Allan & Ian) An Teallach from A'Mhaighdean - Ian L
Misty day on the tops of Aonach Mor - Alison C

Meet Report

23rd to 25th August 2013 - The Cabin, Balgowan Laggan

This was a popular meet when the booking opened and it looked like there may have to be a ballot at the following pub night.  But in the end that wasn’t necessary as some folk made alternative plans.

The Cabin provided a cosy, comfortable venue, popular with many on the meet.  Although it was still officially summer, we resorted to lighting a fire in the wood burning stove on the Saturday evening.  The justification was to dry out damp kit following various Saturday outings but perhaps there was a little winter fire nostalgia at play, fuelled by the absence of fires during the summer meets…  Whatever the reason, it seemed to be enjoyed by all.

After much deliberating on Friday evening about what the weather would hold in various locations the following day, on Saturday, a small group (Alison C, Martin, Aga and James) tackled the eastern ridge of Aonach Mor collecting both Munro tops.   Unfortunately it was a cloudy trip and their best views of the day were to be had when they arrived back at the ski centre car park. 

Pauline and Dave set out for some local Munros and ticked three more on their list: Beinn a’ Chlachair, Geal Charn and Creag Pitridh.  Alison F headed into the hills the same way initially but continued a little further to Carn Dearg overlooking Culra Bothy.  Chris opted for a long day out at the west coast involving two trips in one day:  firstly heading up Sgurr a’ Mhaoraich, then driving back along the road and doing a round of Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach. 

Kenny stayed close to base and climbed a local hill directly behind the Cabin while Pete and I explored a little in Glen Roy.

Aga was keen to try out her new slack line for some entertainment on Saturday night but wasn’t able to find a suitable pair of trees close to the Cabin.  While some had been interested to have a go, others were definitely not disappointed…

On Sunday, Alison F headed off sharp with a view to an ascent of Ben Vrackie on the way home.  Pauline and Dave decided on another Geal Charn, this time the one by Laggan.  Kenny set off for a day out on his bike aiming to reach Grantown on Spey by Sunday evening.  The rest of us travelled south for some climbing at Polney Crag, near Dunkeld, where we enjoyed several good routes and a peaceful sunny summer’s day, spoiled only by some persistent enthusiastic shooting that started up close by.

Ian L and Alan S were amongst those who made alternative plans for the weekend and reported that they had a great trip together:

“We had a fantastic 'fringe' meet in the Fisherfields. We stayed at Slochd bunkhouse on Friday night leaving early on Saturday for Poolewe from where we set off approx 10.00 hrs.  We walked in via Kernsary, did Beinn Lair and set up camp near the causeway between Fionn Loch and Dubh Loch. On Sunday we did Beinn a' Chaisgein Mor and A' Mhaighdean by the NW ridge, returning over Beinn a' Thaursuinn Chaol - quite a tough day.  On both Saturday and Sunday nights we had the pleasure of a pair of Great Northern Divers fishing on Dubh Loch close to our tents.  The whole setting was stunning, providing a real sense of remoteness, the walking was first rate, and we had wall to wall sunshine which gave us magnificent views.”

Sara S