Wild Camping trip, 3rd/4th May; Shiel Hill, Galloway Forrest.

Joe and I decided to celebrate the start of May by having a wee camping trip into the hills of the Galloway forrest.

Our destination: Sheil hill on the left, the Merrick in the background

 We decided to re-visit the scene of one of our earlier camps, Shiel Hill.

 The weather started ok but.......

......... later on turned rather wintery.

Inver House Croft, Achnasheen - 12th / 15th April 

Arriving at Achnasheen Friday around 4.30pm it was discovered that the local hotel could not feed us on Sunday evening as they were fully booked. Back at the hut a fire was set then a quick trip to Loch Carron in order to establish that the hotel there was ok for food on Sunday night. Back to the hut for our evening meal in the lounge area we had drinks with usual discussions before retiring to sleeping mats upstairs with room cold due to icy wind.

Saturday morning was very windy and bitterly cold, John and Frank set off to climb Sgurr nan Ceannaichean and Moruisg taking 7 hours to complete. Len and David walked from top of Loch Sgamhain to Cnoc na Moine a 600 metre hill and after travelled to Kinlochewe having coffee and carrot cake. 

Sitting in café David spotted a car leaving the petrol station next door driverless, and changing into Superdave dashed from cafe before opening car door, jumping in and pulling on brake handle and stopping car before it reached the road. Woman driver was very apologetic for error and bought David a coffee. 

Good night back at hut with plenty coal and wood used on fire and after our evening meal a couple of drinks to help us sleep. 

Sunday morning again very windy and cold as we all travelled to park near Loan before walking to Carn Breac a 678 metre hill talking 5 hours. After returning to the hut for a short rest break Len drove us to Lochcarron hotel for an enjoyable evening meal. Another good fire set before drinks and chat back at hut before going to bed.

Monday morning we rose early, lit fire with mostly wood, and after breakfast tidied up the kitchen, lounge and upstairs sleeping area before departing at 10am. John and Frank travelling home with Len and David going to Coulags for a linear walk to lunch at a bothy before meeting their wives 3.30pm at Achnasheen railway station and onward trip to Applecross and Skye.

Kyle Club Clear up Carrick Hills

Ayr’s Kyle Mountain Club completed a scheduled litter pick on the Carrick Hills. Rubbish was gathered on both sides of the road along a distance of about 1.5km (between the cattle grids either side of the view point). This included 24 bags of general rubbish, plus several other items too big to bag. Amongst the haul was an alloy wheel (with tyre), several other tyres, two car doors, electric scooter, pogo stick, garden strimmer, 6 Amazon Prime cool bags with cool packs!, a hand gun, syringes, a tow bar that took two people to lift, £10 and a 1p. 

A trailer load of dumped tree pruning were sawn up and removed. 

The event proved to be good morning's work to celebrate the Annual World Day for Physical Activity.

Many thanks to South Ayrshire Council for providing bags, picker grabs and collection of the load.

Agnes Spencer memorial hut, Patterdale, Lake District: 15th - 17th March

Ten members of the Kyle Mountain Club assembled at the Agnes Spencer memorial hut in Patterdale on the Friday evening . With a little coaxing the fire was soon roaring away making the building warm and cosy. It was soon time to walk down to the White Lion Inn where the cheerful staff provided a hearty meal and a selection of real ales.

The following morning the weather forecast was for a wet windy day so all thoughts of Helvelyn or High Street were abandoned. 

                      

        

Having ascertained that the Ullswater Steamers were not running, one group set off to walk along the East side of the Lake. The initial path across the valley was flooded but a longer route using a road bridge was soon found. Having walked about half the length of the lake it was found that the Hotel, the only place for refreshments in the dry was closed. So most of the group turned round to set off back, but Bob determined to get a decent amount of walking done carried on until completely drenched. Mac, Jan, Moira and Jackie set off to do a circular walk in Glenridding. On the way back a cafe provided shelter and refreshments. Ian and Len set off to walk up Grisedale, Len turning back when his new hip told him that it had walked far enough, While Ian carried on towards Grisedale Tarn, but he too turned back when confronted with a raging torrent crossing the path.

Returning to the hut in the various groups, the wet clothing was distributed between the drying room and the living room fire. Aperitifs were shared round and then Jan produced an excellent chicken main course for all and Len shared round apple and rhubarb crumble that June had made.

After everyone had consumed two helpings of dessert there was little room left for cheese and port.

Mac then entertained the group with a game of working through the Alphabet thinking up entertaining words.

On Sunday morning we awoke to see the surrounding hills mantled in snow. As it was now snowing at a low level, after breakfast some of the party set off for Ayr. Jackie, Ian, Len and Bob decided that the Aira Force waterfalls should be spectacular with all the rainfall. We were not disappointed and they were well worth the walk up all the steps to view them.

Again despite the weather we all enjoyed a convivial week-end.

Len Foreman

Inbhirfhaolain, Grampian Club hut, Glen Etive: 15-17 February.

Over the weekend of 15-17 February members and guests gathered for the Glen Etive meet at the Grampian Club hut at Inbhirfhaolain.

A very wet Saturday morning postponed any thoughts of an Alpine start but eventually the rain did ease and various parties set out for their chosen objectives. John, Julie, Craig, Frank and Jim drove down towards the head of Loch Etive with a plan to climb the Munro Ben Starav. Jackie also took the benefit of a lift and from the drop-off point she headed down to the road end at the loch before returning to the hut. The rest of the party began the ascent of Staravand, with various people turning around when they reckoned they had gone far enough, Jim was the solo summiteer.

Glen Etive was busy on the Saturday with lots of people coming down to feed the deer that gather in the valley bottom and canoeists taking advantage of the fast running river.

Ian & Andrew (and Barney the Border) headed down Glencoe to park near Signal Rock. From there they headed up the Gleann-leac-na-miudheto complete the round of Meall Lighiche(Corbett), Sgorr a’Choise(Graham) and Meall Mòr(Graham).

On Sunday Ian, Andrew & Barney were the only ones who ventured onto a hill and did the ascent of Garbh Bheinn, the Corbett to the north of theAonach Eagachridge and accessed from the road to Kinlochleven. The weather on Sunday was challenging with driving rain and hail on the top, winds gusting to 50mph+ also made walking difficult at times.

Burns’ Supper, Carn Dearg MC Hut, Glen Clova - 18-20 January 2019

Over the weekend of 18-20 January 8 members of the KMC met at the Carn Dearg MC Hut in Glen Clova.  

Saturday dawned fine and everyone headed out to complete their chosen objectives:

• 2 members completed the Munros Dreish & Mayer from the Kilbo Path; 
  
• 2 members did a circular walk up Glen Doll via Jock’s Road before heading across to Glen Clova via Loch Esk and back to Braedownie; 
  
  
  
  
• 3 members walked up Glen Clova towards Bachnagarn before returning via their outward route; 
• 1 member (+ dog) walked up onto the Corbett The Goet before continuing on to complete a circular walk above Loch Wharral via White Hill & Green Hill. 

On Saturday evening the assembled company enjoyed a grand Burns’ Supper accompanied by a fine dram to celebrate their day’s successes.

Christmas Bothy Trip, Polmood - 13th December 2018

Meet cancelled due to the funeral of a members wife.