On Friday, Tim D went up Creag a’ Mhadaidh from Trinafour, whilst James B and Martha had a run in the sun through autumnal woods at Dunkeld, spotting snow-capped peaks in the distance built the anticipation for a great weekend to come. Kate, Anna B and Allan S walked up Creag an Fonvuick just to the west of Killiecrankie. Afterwards, they stopped in the cafe at Killiecrankie, where Kate carefully divided the last cheese scone in three.
Over the course of the evening, more and more people arrived and congregated for dinner and/or drinks, chats and catch ups at The Boathouse and Inch Hall.
On Saturday, Doug, Sarah, Sam, Nicola, Nikki and Martha formed one of the many groups heading up Sgor Gaoith, closely followed by Pauline and Dave. They arrived at the summit at the same time as Iain and James B, who were running (and to Kenny’s dismay in shorts). Those two didn’t linger, disappearing quickly into the distance, whilst the rest of the group headed all the way to Meall Dubhag before having dropping down to have lunch in the heather, sheltering from the cold winds. Claire G ran on her own up Mullach Clach a’ Blair and Sgor Gaoith and over its tops. Julia, Duncan, Sam, Alex W and James S formed another party for a walk up Sgor Gaoith. The final Sgor Gaoith party – Mike, Fiona R and Hamish – started quite a bit later than everyone else as Hamish, the driver, had slept in and just emerged onto the car park in a state of undress when everyone else was about to leave. It was such a beautiful day – but bitterly cold on the plateau.
Emma Y and Shireen cycled up Glen Feshie and climbed Meallach Mhor and Carn Dearg Mor. Keith and Kate went up Carn Dearg Mor from the Auchlean car park. Allan S went part of the way exploring the old Scots pine woods there. Tim continued his Graham-bagging mission with Creag Liath in the morning & Creag Dhubh in the afternoon – both only just into the snow; he was a bit envious of everyone up higher on the proper stuff!
Before dinner, Rhi, Anna B, Nicola, Helen and Martha had a refreshing sunset dip in Loch Inch – including quite a bit of giggling and some less happy noises when faced with the freezing water temperature.
People gathered for pre-dinner drinks in Inch Hall and in the Boathouse Bar. Neil A joined us for dinner having cycled from his home in Kingussie as a few last minute cancellations meant a place for him became available. Three tasty courses were served by the Boathouse staff, before it was time for the president’s speech. Martha noted the compleationists of the past year (Munros for Rob E, Corbetts and Munro Tops for Claire H, Corbetts for Kate). She highlighted the friendly and cooperative spirit of the club, with members supporting each other in many different ways (helping with lifts, taking out less experienced members on scrambles and outdoor climbs, adding on tops or other hills to fulfil the desires of people bagging different lists etc). It therefore wasn’t a surprise that some members stayed in the club for a really long time. The longest standing member now is Kenny R who joined the club 50 years ago. To commemorate this milestone he received life membership for the club as well as a photobook full of snapshot memories of his time in the EMC (big thanks to Alison C for providing all the photos). For the Martin Day Award, noted achievements were by Ash & Lianne for their 3 Corbetts at Glen Feshie; Doug, Anna, Rhi and Steve for their paddle into Strawberry Cottage; Claire H for her solo adventure over 2 Munros, 1 Corbett and 2 Grahams at the Inver Hut Meet (whilst still being in denial of bagging Grahams). The award however did go to Tim D for his “bagathons”, in particular his TGO Challenge and his extended Pentlands Skyline – an inspiration for everyone in the club. Contenders for the Poulet d’Or were Rhi for forgetting not just her winter boots, but also her insoles for her trainers, making her shoeless at last year’s dinner meet and Kenny for nearly missing the ferry from Eigg due to an entanglement in briars and barbed wire fence when descending the Marilyn, ripping his trousers which ended up more hole than pants. But the swan did go to Shireen for locking her car keys in the car at Morvich on arrival; luckily after having removed hiking kit and wine.
On Sunday, Shireen and Emma had a long and icy cycle up Loch Gary to climb Beinn Mholach. Rhi, Doug, Anna B, Helen, Sarah, Sam, James, Martha, Cathy, Hamish, Duncan I, Iain and Nicola had a chatty sociable and frosty walk past the Uath Lochans. Sarah, Sam, James B and Martha stopped in the Apiary for delicious rolls for Sarah and Sam and utterly disappointing sandwiches for Martha and James. Whilst Tim D went up Creag Ruadh, Claire G had a run up Creag Liath. Mike and Fiona R did Carn Liath (the one next to Creag Meagaigh) to do a quick hill before the weather turned. Pauline, Dave, Kate and Allan S walked from the A9 layby up the track beside the hydroboard canal to go up Creag Ruadh with good views all round. James S and Alex W changed their Munro plans as the House of Bruar’s Scottish breakfast was too big of a pull so they stopped there before having a gentle walk up Birnam Hill.
Thanks to Emma Y for organising the dinner meet and getting everyone’s food orders sorted!
