15 -17 February 2019
It was a wee bit wet (!).
Actually what was left of winter was running off the hills, but undeterred, three groups set off on Saturday heading for Beinn Narnain and Ben Ime (Berenice, Ilze, Paulina and Sandy), Beinn Chabhair (and onwards on the Steve Fallon round…?) for Dom, Amy, Konrad and Andrew H, Barry & Bob headed up Ben More for an early finish, leaving myself, Chimed and Anton to head for Ben’s Lui, Oss and Dubhcraig – the long walk in past Cononish and up the NE Coire, which was the only place with any appreciable snow. Luckily it was quite sheltered until we pulled over the top, the snow ended, and we were blasted by the wind which quickly reminded you that windchill still bites even if the temp is well above freezing!
It was on stepping round the back of summit cairn that I discovered Ben, slightly distressed but still able to explain that he had been there for 5 days and was looking for someone to take him onto some more Munro’s. He was quite well equipped and in a dry bag but we agreed we would make sure he got back safely.
Now at this point i should point out that Ben is a travelling (teddy) bear, has done 57 Munro’s to date and been on lots of adventures going by his Facebook page!
He was duly fed and watered back at the hut and taken up Ben More by Chimed and Andrew the following day, in truly atrocious conditions… Other hills were also done however, Berenice to Beinn Mhanach (bagging…), Me, Sandy, Konrad and Anton for Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh (bagging…), Dom and Amy for a run and an MRT ‘assist’, Ilze and Paulina off on the bikes.
So despite being close to home, plenty of good hills to go for and enough collective enthusiasm to get up them even when it’s mingin’ outside…
- report by Iain
