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9th June 2006 - Loch Coruisk, Skye After a glorious boat trip to the hut, the boat being the "Misty Isle", the weekend activities started early for Colin and Ken as they headed off for some heroics on the Cuillin Ridge. They left at 1am on Saturday morning, only pausing at the hut to leave some gear. They climbed Gars Bheinn, paused for barely 20 winks, and then set off, intent on completing the ridge in a day. Incredibly Colin made it all the way round in a wunner, a great effort. Ken's somewhat less impressive attempt saw him sneak off at The Inaccessible Pinnacle, amid a barrage of feeble excuses. In compensation, he did bump into Munro guru, Muriel Gray, and hitch a lift from the first passing car. He met up with Colin again at the Sligachan on Saturday night, and they even managed a pint or two before collapsing in the tent they'd left there. On Sunday, they had a more relaxing walk back to the Coruisk Hut, along Glen Sligachan, taking in the views of the ridge. Meanwhile, back at the hut, the softies finished their oatcakes and cheese and glasses of Merlot and went to comfortable beds. Apart from Dave Mitchell, who bivvied near Blaven and walked to the hut the hard way, over Clach Glas & Blaven. Glorious sunshine on Saturday morning saw Lucy and Liz heading off for the South East ridge of Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh. This is newly declared the longest rock route in Britain, taking over from the Dubh Ridge, despite the latter clearly being 200m longer. Or is this only because Robert wanted to do it on Sunday ? Robert, Mike, Matt, Monica and Andy employed siege tactics on the Dubh Ridge itself. The paltry 900m route never stood a chance, and they all successfully summited. Dave Murdoch took a stroll up Loch Coruisk and up to the col of Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh. He found Dan hiding under a rock on the way back. No-one knows what he was doing there. A splendid day in the Cuillins. The evening was notable for the absence of midgies and a very impressive driftwood fire. It also marked the appearance of "Manuel" the Spanish climber. He claimed his name was Dave, but that might have just been to fit in. Despite not a word of English (or Spanish from anyone else), he quickly became one of the gang and an enthusiastic whisky drinker ! He suffered somewhat in the morning, making a late rise from his bed. How quickly newcomers learn the ways of the BFMC. On Sunday morning the resident deer arrived, it was duly fed by some, and snogged by Liz. This is true, I promise, there are photographs. Later, Robert and Andy did the South East Ridge of S a'G, and the rest of the boys went climbing on the Loch Coruisk slabs. As ever, Dan eschewed all modernity, and went climbing in his trainers, with the rope tied around his waist. Using a bowline naturally. The girls went skinny dipping in the Loch. They were apparently playing a game called "mermaids", honestly, will some folks never grow up ! Not content with that excitement, Lucy and Monica went climbing on Mad Burn Buttress. Lucy ended up off route, and spent what must have been a very scary hour stuck 20ft above her gear, before 2 of the Daves arrived and threw down a rope for her. This was all watched by the experts at the hut, through Dan's binoculars. "Why doesn't she just traverse ?" - "No, she should down-climb" etc. All very helpful !!! Lucy wishes to record her thanks to the Daves for the rescue !! Another sing-song around the campfire followed in the evening. The weather started to flag on Monday, as did the adventurers. Ken and Matt went back to Mad Burn Buttress to prove that it is possible to climb there without crying. It was a close run thing, but they managed it. Everyone else went for a wander round the coast. A stormy boatride out and some ridiculously heavy rain finished off what was certainly a most fantastic meet. We should pass on particular thanks to Robert for this meet, it took quite a bit more organising than most, and ended up being brilliant. He's also learnt not to give the hut key to Liz.
Coruisk from Elgol, on Friday night
Taking in the view of Loch Coruisk
Near the top of the Dubh Ridge
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