19-21 August 2016
Present:
Amy, Dominic, Paul, Mhairi, Marc, Andrew, Miguel, Konrad, Kev, Berenice, Lena, Katrina and Sylwia
Report by Sylwia
Glen Affric and Strawberry Cottage here we come! August meet was first for Katrina, Sylwia and Marc. Our August meet started from Friday 19th August, that day some of people where still at work and some of us (Amy, Dom, Katarina and Sylwia) take a chance and did few Munro’s from Glen cannich (Creag Gibhar and Sgurr na Lapaich).
After the walk we got to the pub to meet rest of DMC to get organise. We started a wee adventure in dark and wilderness after allocating all the gear and volunteers to walk, cycle or run to the hut. Paul was running like Forrest Gump almost splash with water from huge puddle on one of the bridge. I believe he had good fun running with head torch around 10 k. Marc, Konrad and Miguel decided to walk. Mhairi took her bike and cycle there. Some space was remaining in the 2 cars we had and been fitted with all stuff we had to take to the hut with us.
Saturday brought good weather and Amy, Dominic, Paul, Mhairi, Marc, Andrew, Miguel, Konrad decided to do Mam Sodhail, Carn Eige, and Beinn Fhionnlaidh. Berenice and Kevin decided to take bikes and get the An Socach and Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan plus Mullach na Dheiragain. On the way back they have been under heavy attack of Scottish deadly midges. They where fast and furious to get fresh meat. Lena did Mullach Fraoch Choire via NW ridge A’Chralaig back via Gleann na Cicheand she absolutelly love the walk. Her blue hands was indicated she could not resist common bilberries present. Fantastic! Katrina and Sylwia did Mam Sodhail and return to the hut early. We had great dinner cooked by Paul Spaghetti Carbonara follow by Apple pie. All was tasty!
Sunday again bring good weather and wind free! Close encounter with midges! Berenice , Katrina, Miguel, Marc and Sylwia went to Mullach Fraoch-choire and couldn’t see top as they where misty! Lena did Ciste Dubh and Amy, Dominic Mullach Fraoc-choire and A’ Chralaig. Kevin went early on his bike to car park and did Tom a’ Choinich and Taal Creagach. We all get safe home to treat all midge’s bites. :0
Report by Paul
3 hrs drive
568 ml of cider
8 km run
1 wee stop.
0 midge bites 🙂
3 bags from car
1 fire lit
1 shot of whiskey
lots of map chat
0130 hrs to bed
5 hrs of restless sleep
200ml of milky water with breakfast
8am departure
7 walkers in our group
3 munro target
1 stop to tighten boots
1 chicken curry pasty (with numerous side effects)
2 halves of bagel
300g snack bar
10000+ steps
6 stops to put jacket on
5 stops to take jacket off
3 map checks
1 small bivi shelter made
1 swarm of midges, and then
1 rapid departure from coll
1 hale storm!
1 path re-established
1 trudge down argo path
1 water stop followed by brief run to loose midge cloud
1 bridge rendezvous
10 midge bites
7 walkers return to cottage
1 slight slip
1 blackened toe
3 logs of fire
3 cooks assistants
24 bridies cooked
1500g of pasta cooked
10 eggs
800g of cheese
2 cloves of garlic
8 onions
10g of pepper
26 rashers of bacon
24 small pies heated
1.5l of custard
1 small burn
2 crying due to onions
10 full to bursting and falling asleep
3 glasses of wine
10pm retire to tend.
20+ midges squashed to inside of tent.
7hrs of restless sleep with midge bites, countless scratching.
6am wake
2 hrs trying to sleep some more and stop scratching
2000 midges inside fly sheet!
8am, dress and dash to safety
2 breakfasts, cereal and carbonara
1 decision to stay put due to being too tired
6 hands of shit head.
1 almost dry tent taken down
5000 midges dive bombing during tent removal.
0.5 game of monopoly
5 tidy and clean bothy.
4 pump water, or watch
2 pack pump away
1 lost toilet key
2 cycles depart
1 walker exits
5 in a car
3 stones ground smooth by chassis
4 padlocks, 1 gate
3.5hrs return journey
1 stop at Tesco
1 driver change
1 drop off.
bed
Report by Andrew
We started out on Saturday with high hopes – even a spot of sun at the
cottage as we set off. After much Friday night debate we had a route
pencilled in up onto Mam Sodhail, Carn Eighe and then Beinn Fhionnlaidh
with some bonus peaks in reserve, but the challenge was personal – how
far would each of the team get?
Climbing up into Coire Leachavie
Miguel and Marc teared ahead with Paul making a valiant effort to keep
up. Everyone found their own pace, but regrouped at the peaks which was
great to feel included. Struggling with blisters some headed back to
the hut after bagging munro number one, but the rest continued on ending
at Beinn Fhionlaidh where the clouds broke and we basked in the sun,
with clear views all the way across to Skye!
Looking forward to an
evening meal (thanks Paul!) we headed back to the hut, with Miguel
bagging a fourth Munro for the day in Stob Coire na Cloiche.
