Meet Report
21st to 23rd February 2004 - Corrour
It had been several years since the club last visited the bunkhouse
at Corrour Station on the West Highland Line, and many of us were looking
forward to it with eager anticipation...
The only way into the bunkhouse, other than by walking, is to take the
train, so the club assembled on the platform at Crianlarich in time for the
last (and not quite only!) train of the day on Friday evening. An hour
later, having traversed Rannoch Moor in the dark, we arrived, to be welcomed
to the bunkhouse by Liz, the manager.
Corrour Bunkhouse is probably best described as comfortable but cosy,
consisting of 2 dorms, a small kitchen, and the old signal cabin upstairs
which doubles as the eating area - one with quite some view as we discovered
in the morning ...
Saturday dawned bright and sunny, and we all set off early to make the
most of the day, as bad weather was supposed to be moving in from the north
later on. Martin, Kenny and Alison took the train out to Tulloch, returning
over 'the Easains', with Martin adding in an extra hill for good measure!
Julie and Tim went on to Spean Bridge, walking back at a slightly lower
level. Victoria, Fraser, Katherine and William walked out over Carn
Dearg and Sgor Gaibhre, returning past the new lodge at the head of the
impressively frozen Loch Ossian. Bill and Eileen followed at a slightly
more measured pace. Lesley went Corbett or Graham bagging south of Loch
Treig, though I'm not sure which hill it was. Finally, Cathy did Beinn
Eibhinn, and Bill Brown both Beinn Eibhinn and Aonach Beag, both being in
much wintrier condition than the other hills attempted, and requiring
crampons for some of the day.
Corrour station has a restaurant as well as the bunkhouse, and the club
descended there en masse (as did the occupants of the Youth Hostel, and a
party arrived by train!) for a delicious 3 course meal (soup, venison, and
apple crumble). We then retired to the bunkhouse signal cabin for what
turned into a wine and cheese party ...
The weather, which had got gradually cloudier on Saturday, improved
again on Sunday morning, with clearer long distance views than the day
before. Kenny and Alison climbed Leum Uilleim, with Kenny following this
up with Beinn na Lap for afters. He didn't quite catch up with Cathy,
Lesley, Katherine or William who all settled for Beinn na Lap alone!
Fraser and Victoria started out on Beinn na Lap, but continued to Chno
Dearg behind, via a precipitous descent and reascent between the two which
didn't sound very enjoyable. Martin headed along Loch Ossian and back
over Sgor Gaibhre and Carn Dearg. While almost everyone enjoyed tea,
coffee or hot chocolate at the restaurant while awaiting the train out, Julie
and Tim walked out to Rannoch where unfortunately the tea shop was closed.
All in all, an excellent weekend, with much better weather than expected for
February!