Meet Report

19th to 21st November 2021 - Inverardran Cottage, CRIANLARICH

Despite the forecast looking less than ideal, a mix of 9 members and PNMs arrived at Inverardran Cottage in Crianlarich on the friday evening. Nathan and I headed off to the pub for dinner, while most of the others joined us for drinks later in the evening. 

With the hope that the weather would clear up slightly, saturday morning was quite a slow affair, with several mugs of tea being drunk per person. Eventually, individuals and groups decided to make the most of the situation. 

DavidS, Nathan, JoH and I headed off to Ben Challum. After battling bogs and slightly dodgy stiles, and a few showers on the ascent, the morning low cloud cleared and we had some decent views from the summit ridge. DuncanI (t'other Duncan?) and TimN also had lunchtime views from the summit of Beinn Chuirn. ClaireH was on Beinn Mhic-Mhonaidh in Glen Orchy which was a busy hill and a very varied approach but had several drenchings of the feet and from the sky and decided against linking with the nearby Graham due to cold. Despite being on the lowest hill, she was the only one who was in cloud on a summit! Claire's evening quote: "Must remember gaiters next time." Pauline and Dave decided to take no risks with cloudy summits, and did a long mountain bike ride.

On Saturday evening, overworked academic t'Other Clare joined, and there was another quick pub trip.

Sunday was forecast to be much better, and it turned out the forecast was right - everyone out on a hill had views all day. On Sunday, Claire started her walk with Jo, Tim and t'other Clare and waded the river to tackle the steep slopes of Beinn nam Fuaran, saw a leisurely Eagle between it and Beill a Cheisteil, and got yet another foot drenching in the river crossing leading to the last Corbett Beinn Odhar. It was a good day for brutal ascents because the autumnal views were so stunning! I bumped into a mate of t'other Duncan on my way down and returned to the car asking the WHW.

Jo, Tim, and Clare headed north for a circular route of Beinn Mhanach, and Pauline and Dave spent the day on the Crianlarich Munros. DavidS and I headed south and had a spectacular day doing a traverse of the South and Central peaks of the Cobbler. The rock had already dried out from the rain the day before, providing almost perfect conditions for this classic route.