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17th March 2006 - McIntyre Hut The winter continued in fine style. In fact, according to reports on the web, the quantities of snow that had fallen the previous week had thawed a little mid-week, then re-frozen. This, and an excellent weather forecast, led to expectations of great climbing conditions. Colin & Rab spotted an opportunity to have a go at the Cuillin Ridge. This is a considerable undertaking, they had food for 3 days & were prepared for 2 nights out. They spent the Friday night at the hut, leaving at 4am. As if the early start wasn't bad enough, the promised hard neve failed to materialise. They were making too slow progress in the soft snow, only making it to Bruach na Frithe by the Saturday afternoon. Deciding enough was enough, they returned to the hut at midnight battered and bruised. An excellent effort though, better luck next time. Ken & Chris put in a steady performance on a rather lean SC Gully (III), on Stob Coire nan Lochain. Lucy & Dave had a less pleasant time on a desperate Forked Gully (II). In the 150m of the climb, they had 3 pieces of gear, one of which was a warthog 1/3 in ! One of the belays consisted of "sitting on a rock" - a little known alpine technique. Calum had a good walk on Beinn a Bheither. Neil and Ronnie completed their first climb of the year, Sron na Lairig. Everyone commented on what a splendid day out it had been. On Sunday, Neil & Ronnie had the customary late start. They considered Curved Ridge, then Dinnertime Buttress, then Beinn na Caillach, then a walk to the Blackwater Dam, which they settled on. Getting to Kinlochleven, Ronnie realised he had left most of his clothing in the drying room, so had to go back to collect it. This made sure it was too late to do anything at all - an old trick, but one of the best. So they launched a daring ascent of an al fresco cup of coffee at the Clachaig. Not content with that, they drove to Glen Ogle, and made an ascent of the burger van - or at least sampled its jolly tasty wares. The ascent is ungraded. Rather more actively, Dave, Lucy, Calum and Ken headed up Chno Dearg on skis. The 5km ski run mentioned in the SMC ski mountaineering book wasn't quite there, indeed the first bit of the ascent was through a squelchy peat bog. Gradually, however, the snow patches got bigger & closer together, so that soon it was time to put the skis on. They got to the summit, took in the views and descended fully 2 1/2 km before having to take the skis off, excellent stuff ! The fall count was Ken 3 (much improved), Dave 1, Lucy & Calum 0 (must try harder). Colin & Rab recovered from the exertions of the previous day. Rab stayed up for another night, and climbed Central Gully on Ben Lui on the way home. A good way to bag a new Munro.
Chris, Lucy & Dave after completing their climbs on Stob Coire nan Lochain
Dave, Ken & Calum ascending Chno Dearg
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