Trekkers Lodge Kintail: 22nd - 24th April

A few pictures from Ian.

A’Chraileag from Cluanie

View out of the tent door – Moon rise over Loch Cluanie

The ridge from Stob Coire na Craileig leading onto Mullach Fraoch choire

The view from the summit of Mullach Fraoch choire looking N – Beinn Fhada on L, Sgurr nan Ceathramhnan on R

Kintail Meet, 23 April 2016

A wee walk up Sgurr Gaorsaic

Sgurr Gaorsaic (839m) is a remote Corbett at the watershed between Glen Affric and Glen Elchaig. We (Claire Young and Carole George) started from the car park at the NTS centre at Morvich at 8.45am, then took a lovely path through wooded Strath Croe following the Abhainn Chonaig. The views back to Loch Duich are impressive from here, but were soon blotted out by a very heavy snow shower. The snow didn’t last long and the rest of the day gave us sunshine and great views, albeit with a cold, strong wind.

The view back to Loch Duich

The walk continues along a beautifully made stalkers’ path, rising into the increasingly wild Gleann Choinneachain. The river was fairly low, but we did see some impressive little water falls. We crossed the Allt a’Choire Chaoil, flowing out of one of Beinn Fhada’s beautiful corries, with the aid of some strategically-placed boulders – we were even complimented on our river-crossing skills!!

The stalkers’ path makes its way up the hillside on a zig-zag path, giving beautiful views of the northern corries and ridges of Beinn Fhada, and eventually we reached the Bealach an Sgairne. We sat there for quite some time, eating, talking photos and just enjoying being there. The view back down is pretty impressive, but it was the view west to Glen Affric that really caught my imagination. I’d never walked down there before and I felt such a sense of excitement at going somewhere new - the joys of Corbett-bashing!

Loch a’ Bhealaich & Sgurr Gaorsaic

The stalkers’ path drops down 120m (damn!) in lovely zig-zags and soon we were at the south-west end Loch a’Bhealaich. It’s very boggy in places, but stepping stones prevented an unwanted step into deep glaur. We followed this boggy path for a wee while and then followed a line of old fence posts up the increasingly steep lower slopes. The angle eased once we reached 800m and from there it was a pleasant walk over a rocky plateau to the summit cairn, arriving at 2.45pm. Not the quickest ascent, but why rush when you have all day to enjoy the hills? It was a very cold wind at the summit, but we sat in the shelter of the cairn for a second lunch, naming as many of the fine peaks as we could – it really is a fabulous viewpoint.

Gairich and its reflection on Loch Quoich

The route back down was the same as the outward walk; on the way back we saw deer and goats and simply marvelled at the wildness of this part of the world. We got back to the car at 7.45pm, and rushed back to the Kintail Lodge Hotel for a pot of tea to celebrate a fine day!!

Summit cairn, looking east

Distance – 20.5km

Ascent – 1,140m

Book Time – 7 to 9 hours

Our Time – 11 hours (did include lots of food and photo stops!!)

Trekkers Lodge Kintail: 22nd - 24th April

Kyle MC headed north to the Trekkers Lodge at Kintail Lodge Hotel for their April meet.

The KMC Kintail Trekkers 

The weather was superb on the drive up with stunning views of all the hills on the way north. Fresh snow on the hills in the morning reminded us that we’re still experiencing winter conditions.

Given the rather poor forecast, however, excellent weather was enjoyed throughout the trip with only the occasional snow and hail shower impeding stunning views.

Given the choice of superb hills roundabout, four separate parties departed on the Saturday morning. One party enjoyed a superb low level walk from Cluanie to Alltbeithe; another group climbed the Corbett, Sgurr Gaorsaic. The Saddle was climbed via the Forcan Ridge; the final party ascended Sgurr a’ Bhealaich Dheirg and Saileag in Glen Shiel.

Sunday was a quieter day for most folks, with one group out on Beinn Fhada. One carload returned via Loch Quoich, sussing out Corbetts for future trips to this beautiful area.

Blackrock Cottage, Glencoe 18th - 20th March

Blackrock Cottage is situated at the entrance to Glencoe with Buchaille Etive Mor in the background.

What a weekend, fantastic accommodation, beautiful weather and great company.

Some of the team climbed Garbh Bheinn with fantastic views of Aonach Eagach, Mamores, Ben Nevis and saw an eagle underneath on the descent

The downhill-ski-section enjoyed a days skiing on White Corries while a couple of the team had a long walk down Glen Etive and won the eagle spotting by two eagles.

Blackrock Cottage is a Ladies Scottish Climbing Club hut and has featured in many Scottish Calendars and as can be seen from the photograph, you can understand why.  It is so picturesque and its position could not be better. 

We were delighted to return to Blackrock Cottage again and couldn’t have picked a better weekend, whether ski-ing or hillwalking.  It was a weekend that members didn’t want to end.

Everyone returned to the cottage at night with great stories, great memories and great photographs.  What a start to the year.  Members are hoping that the good weather will continue throughout 2016 so that they can enjoy the varied programme of events that are lined up.

Stanhope Bothy 26th - 28th Feb.

This months meet was down in the borders, Stanhope Bothy.Great cozy wee bothy this weekend.  Cold dry sunny days and great walking - just like it always his on club trips!

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.