We gathered at The Smugglers Hostel in Tomintoul on Friday afternoon/evening, which was a new location for the club. On the way to the meet Mike & Fiona went climbing at Logie Head near Cullen and Sue climbed Càrn na Drochaide from the Linn of Quoich. Jamie climbed a very boggy Fionn Bheinn near Achnasheen and Kate had lovely views from Creag Choinnich at Braemar. Doug managed to squeeze three of them plus 4 bikes into/onto the car to head up to Tomintoul for the weekend.
On Saturday, Doug, Helen, Colin, Julia & Jamie cycled along the smooth track to Inchrory from Tomintoul and then headed up to the amazing tors of Ben Avon. Doug, Colin, Julia & Jamie then carried on to Beinn a’ Bhuird. Rob went to Cairngorm and walked along the Fiacaill ridge, then down into the Loch Avon basin, and back out via Afterthought Arete. Great fun! Mike & Fiona cycled up to Cnap Chaochan Aitinn from Tomintoul before dropping down into Glen Loin and cycling back to the hostel via Inchrory. Kate & Sue climbed Càrn a’Ghille Chearr and Creagan a’ Chaise (the Hills of Cromdale) from Ballcorach with beautiful panoramic views. We had a very sociable evening back at the hostel playing scrabble.
Sunday dawned bright and cold. Doug, Mike, Fiona, Rob & Helen stuck with plan A to go climbing at Huntly’s Cave near Grantown-on-Spey. They were unsure of this as they drove down into a cloud inversion but fortunately it burnt off and an excellent day’s climbing was had. ‘Diagonal’ was a highlight. Julia joined them at Huntly’s Cave for a walk nearby. Kate walked up to Cnap Chaochan Aitinn with Sue joining the start of walk. Colin headed off cycling from Tomintoul.
Many thanks to everyone for a great meet!

Kate W