Thursday 18th Feb: Artisan Lounge, Ayr

We had a lovely social meet in the cosy Artisan Lounge, Old Bridge Street, Ayr on what was a very wet and windy night.

It was a great opportunity for members to meet up and discuss the programme of events for the forthcoming year and at the same time enjoy a superb meal in a cosy and friendly atmosphere.

Jackie at the Artisan worked hard to make the night work, she catered for us superbly.

29th - 31st January, Burns Supper, Cairndow Village Hall

To celebrate the Bairds birthday this year we returned to Cairndow on the banks of Loch Fyne.

The inclement weather on Saturday meant that low level walks and some tourist stuff were the order of the day.  That being said the team still managed to work up an appetite for the haggis n' neeps later.

Trying to find Rob Roy's cottage

In? Rob Roy's cottage - Glen Shira

Express veg prep

The "Old Explorer" at his best

Beards Rule in the KMC - crocheted appendages provided for those considered facially folically challenged.

12 - 13th December: Pre-Christmas Bothy Trip, Auchope Bothy:

Another good bothy trip.  This time to the Borders Bothy of Auchope.  Foul weather on Saturday and a roaring log fire dispelled all notions of a hill but its an area we'll return to.

13^th/14^th November – Dinner Meet, Pitlochry Golf Club

23 members attended the annual Dinner Meet which was held at the Pitlochry Golf Club.  Excellent Venue and Superb Meal.

This year we had stayed in a variety of places; Mckays Hotel & the Backpackers Hostel and a local B & B.

Nice weather on Saturday meant there were ascents of Ben Vrackie, Ben Mheadohic, Schehallion and walks from Dunkeld to the Loch of the Lowes.  Although there were no visits to Charity Shops there was still some retail therapy at Aberfeldy.

Very enjoyable weekend.

Many thanks to Ian & Jackie for organizing the weekend.

Isle of Arran Wild Camping

We based ourselves in Glen Sannox for this camping trip being near to water, flat and close to an eating establishment, the Glen Sannox Hotel.  The hotel provided some shelter and respite to four travellers at the start of the adventure.

The team was increased when Ian and Henry joined us.

The plan for the weekend was Mullach Buidhe on the east side of Arran. 

We were blessed with beautiful sunshine the whole weekend with no midges which was an added bonus especially when sleeping under canvass!!

For a change the members headed to the west side of the Island and climbed  Mullach Buidhe which was a superb ridge walk.  The views were breathtaking, looking over onto the Paps of Jura, Islay  and of course views of the many peaks and ridges on the island itself. Arran is not just about Goatfell it has so much to offer and being an Ayrshire mountaineering club, members are very fortunate to have Arran on their doorstep. 

Llanberis Meet

A few images of our ascent of Snowdon via Crib Goch. 

I think it must be the first time I have ever struggled to get a photo at a summit cairn because of the number of people.

Back at base camp recounting our epic!

The Crib Goch skyline.

Llanberis meet: 22nd - 25 May (3 nights)

Gloucestershire Mountaineering Club hut. 

The hut was located in the village of Deiniolen a couple of miles from Llanberis and perfect for the hills and a wee bit of exploring.
This was the first club trip to Wales for a long time and a few of the club took the opportunity to extend the trip, see a bit of the tourist stuff and do a hill.

The trip started with a superb meal.

The team split into different parties.  

The Tryfan team consisted of Christine, Kevin, Bob, Jim and myself, Allan.

The start of Tryfan

A steep start .......

got steeper.

With lots of interesting wee bits.

This one is the Cannon.

Nice place for a seat.

The only way is up, but their is lots of variations.

Adam and Eve, the rock pillars.  We didn't try the step from one to another.

The summit was a busy place.

A nice spot for second lunch while the rest of the team take on some more unpronounceable tops.

The Cannon seen from the road.

A seat in the sun after a hard day.