Meet Report

31st December 2010 to 3rd January 2011 - Invergarry Lodge, Invergarry (New Year)

The New Year meet was nearly a non event due to burst pipes & collapsed ceilings at Invergarry Lodge as a result of the freezing conditions prior to Christmas. After some frantic telephoning by Alan R the meet was relocated to the Loch Ness Backpackers in Drumnadrochit as they'd had a cancellation and could fit all 24 of us in. They also had some burst pipes to contend with but eventually managed to get just about enough facilities functioning.

The communal meal was a great success with 4 soups, 5 mains and 2 deserts consumed over the two evenings, although maybe next year we should just buy one big bag of potatoes! The food, as always was excellent. Organising the cooking between 2 kitchens was hard going but somehow we got everything ready at the right time and no one went hungry. There was even sufficient food left over that some members ate sticky toffee pudding and chocolate torte for breakfast much to Eileen's disgust. 

On Hogmanay about half the members sampled the Drumnadrochit street party/ceilidh with the other half relaxing by the fire in the hostel. Nearly everyone stayed up for the bells which must be a record for the EMC. On the 1st, Alison C, Fiona M and Chris braved the freezing cold on Aonach Mor to climb Tunnel Vision. Everyone else went hillwalking with venues ranging from Glen Shiel, Loch Mullardoch, Little Wyvis and beyond. On the 2nd, the climbers were split between Ben Nevis and the Northern Corries with the walkers again spreading out across a large area. Some members were chased by the Glendoe hydro scheme security staff but did eventually make it up Carn a'Chuilinn. The 3rd saw most people heading home with the exception of Fiona M and Chris who went off on a Corbett bagging mission despite the approaching rain.