Friday 30 December 2022 – Monday 02 January 2023
Well ? What can one say about the New Year Meet at Morvich…
I waited briefing for my lift with Berenice and Andrew. Both parties not knowing what was in store for the drive ahead. I surprised them with ensuring l had enough food to last a week and plenty of other provisions just in case.
Thankfully this lovely couple were not put off with all my bags and made the drive a memorable experience. With plenty of tasty fudge and snacks.The car was driven well like a submarine through the wet, dark conditions.
We arrived safe and sound. Tired but happy. Exciting picking a room to put all my stuff in and surprised at how clean, warm and well equipped the very spacious hut was.
Glad to have the cover girl, Heinke as my room buddy for the 3 nights, both pleased as we both slept well, peacefully.
I was amazed at the buzz of happy people in a warm, cosy place. This was going to be an amazing weekend.
How wrong l was.
It was far more than amazing, it was so much more.The warmth of friendly people, the atmosphere, the food and drink (thank you Berenice and Andrew, Nick for the desert). The eclectic mix of music. The jaw dropping views of the gorgeous mountains and scenery around us. Literally a breath of fresh air.
A good sleep had and everyone set off in their groups of chosen places to hike.
Our group went over to Skye to the Red Hill circuit area.
I was troubled by my new fancy rucksack. Where was the hook to hold the water bladder? Where was the H20 hole for the tube to go through? The experienced members of the group thankfully helped but to no avail. With that l shoved it in my rucksack.
The other group went off to the 3 Brothers Mountain range and everyone looked very professional and out to mean business conquering their chosen adventures.
There were also lovely folk out on a cycling adventure over many miles.
Once arrived at our destination.l took my walking poles from the rucksack and what ?
I shouted over to the others, look at this, the bag is upside down ! There was the hook for the water bladder etc. Thankfully the group were joyful with this revelation and we all had a photo to celebrate by holding our poles upside down. Onwards and upwards.
Wow ! What a route, many big boulders and shrubbery. Battling through reached the snow which had a hard, icy covering. Grateful for Andrews spare crampons and with the help of Ian, got them secured correctly.
Ooooh, informed to walk like John Wayne so not to catch legs with the spikes. But not as an exaggerated John Wayne. Trying to put my feet in the others footprints but realising they had longer legs and the footprints were spaced further apart. I couldn’t do a John Wayne while doing the splits walking uphill. So developed my own fashion of walk up the steep terrain, feeling secure in the knowledge of the experienced folk around me. It felt like l was stepping on the moon for the very first time. Totally in awe at my surroundings and at my new way of walking. Ensuring the spikes were kept away from my legs. I have crampons on. Everyone was patient and kind at my new found experience of walking in crampons, of seeing a Brocken spectre and of me plodding on of which I’m thankful for.
New Years Eve was a total blast off into 2023 !
Amazing people, atmosphere, great food and drink, music, exploding twiglets and brilliant energy. Woohoo! There was a full blown disco with lights and plenty of action all round. With people showing off their energetic dance moves. Awe inspiring stuff. The Ceilidh dancing was a brilliant hootanany and l couldnt stop laughing, didnt help not wearing glasses and having some bubbly.
Totally exceeded all expectations and i am really looking forward to the next meet.
Have taken all the top tips from the more experienced members and with less bags for the next meet and my rucksack positioned correctly, its all onwards and upwards into the year 2023 ! Cant wait.
Thank you to an amazing , awe inspiring team !
- Report by Lesley
A late addition to the meet gave me a passenger to speak to on the long drive north which was welcome as Kintail isn’t exactly just up the road.
Arriving via Broxden McDonalds in the dark we settled down to evening shenanigans for the 2nd last time of 2022.
Hogmanay dawned somepoint while I was deep in sleep and I woke to a deserted hut though Rosie returned from Dornie somewhere between breakfast and lunch, a group of Paul, Katrina, James and Nick were in need of a lift from the Cluanie Inn after their assault on the Brothers of Kintail, and I sat in the bakehouse finishing off their wares for the day with early bailer Paul who took an unusual interest in reading Vogue and Harpers Bazaar.
Back at the hut dinner of haggis neeps and tatties with added red cabbage was soon on the go.
And then the Internet dropped out, not normally of importance but due to a lack of old age music playing devices we were short of music for seeing in the new year, I managed to find some early 2000s rave music and glows sticks to get us going (I may have been leading the dance…) and thankfully the Internet returned in time for Auld Lang Syne and Loch Lomond after the bells.
The new year saw another lazy day for me as I’d rather over done it on the Dr Pepper, so while genteel walks were taken to burn off hangovers, I dozed, and Rosie and James (not the occupants of the old rag doll narrow boat) took on an adventurous mixed surface bike ride before steak pie and more festivities to round the night off.
I finally had to get out of bed in the morning on the 2nd as I had a rather nervy drive back with not quite enough fuel to get home, thankfully the pumps at Dalwhinnie are open 24hrs a day including the hangover holiday.
- Report by Niall
