17-19 August 2018
We made the journey up to Dundonnell on Friday evening after work –
excited with anticipation for our first meet with DMC. We arrived to the
hostel and were warmly greeted by the friendly bunch. A glass of whisky
(Highland Park) was pushed in front of us making us feel immediately
welcome and part of the gang.
With high winds forecast our initial
plan for the An Teallach traverse were put on hold and a large group
ramble up some of the central Fannichs was instigated, with only two of
the bravest soldiers ( Joe and Phelim) risking the winds on the traverse
the next day.
Saturday arrived and a relaxed morning saw us
donning our waterproofs and gaiters around 9.20am to ascend our first
munros. Our equally relaxed approach to navigation saw us crossing the
path of a river requiring a particular level in acrobatics to cross with
dry feet ( I am sure Berenice will testify to that.) After this Miguel
stamped an early claim as the weekends resident speed champion, whilst
others (Iain) veered off with masochistic tendency to grab all the
nearby Corbett’s, Corbett top, munro tops and so on. With everyone
reconvened at the summit of Sgurr Nan Each lunch was had with percy pigs
and Kendal mint cake flowing all around.
We set off to bag the
our other summits of the day, and was off the mountain by 17.00 to allow
Bruce time to prepare his Sainsbury’s sponsored stew ( other grocers
available) which was well received by all. The night rolled on and our
attempts at a sing along, quickly made us realise why it was Paul Simon
that was earning the big buck and not us.
With the forecast
looking good for Sunday – An Teallach was now back on, and it turned out
to be an absolute cracker of a day. With sun cream applied we were
ready for a great day on the hills. With all the pinnacles climbed and
everyone still alive we descended to reach the Dundonnell hotel for a
celebratory beverage.
We met with Simon and Phelim who had been
in search of climbing near anthrax island (Gruinard island). With their
symptoms checked over and cleared from contamination Phelim was eager to
get home. They set off with petrol light flashing and 50 miles to the
nearest petrol station… Actually has anyone heard from him since…?
Anyway,
with the summer of high pressures evidently starting to dwindle and the
autumnal weather we know and love trying to poke its way back into
August it can’t stop the Dundee mountain club from continuing to explore
the majestic mountains of Scotland and beyond.
Thanks everyone for a great weekend and I hope to see you soon for more action on the hills.
-
Dave
-
Present:
Dave & Caitlin (newbies), Joe, Phelim, Miguel, Katrina, Iain,
Andy H , Greg, Fergal, Berenice, Bruce, Amy, Simon & Andy B
Another excellent weekend! I can’t add to the great report from David, but perhaps try to capture something in a Haiku…
Northwest adventures
Fannaich to Forge, ancient rock
new friends; Taylor Swift?!!
- Iain
