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11th August 2006 - Naismith Hut Club members made the trip to the SMC's fine hut in Elphin, via The Seaforth Bar in Ullapool, full of schemes for the weekend to come. Rab & Ken were intending to go climbing, but the thought of drizzly schist sent shivers up their spines. Instead they opted for a bike ride into Seana Bhraigh, from Oykel Bridge. This is one of the remotest Munros in Scotland, the summit being some 12 miles from the road, bikes are a definite plus. They set off up the landrover track ready for the long ride in. Imagine their surprise when, after about 6 miles, they came across a sign saying "Walker's Car Park". It turns out you're allowed to take cars up this far - now they tell us ! Nonetheless, they made their way to the top of the hill, via the ridge of Creag an Duine. It was, indeed, very slippery. But a fine route up a fine hill. Dan, Ronnie & Colin, meanwhile, had brought a canoe up to the hut. They had the idea of rowing up Loch Veyatie, and climbing Suilven. A great plan, but they didn't fancy the drizzly cloud that covered the hill all day long. Instead, they canoed around Cam Loch. Colin took full opportunity of his broken wrist to practise his supervisory skills. He assures us the the rowers were getting the hang of it towards the end, thanks to his expert advice. They spent the rest of the afternoon putting in offers for various properties in the area, we might find we have a surprise club hut if any of them are taken up ! Lorna continued her training for Killimanjaro on Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich, arriving at the hut on Saturday evening. On Sunday, Rab & Ken headed off to Stac Pollaidh and climbed the cloudy, midge-infested, thrutch-fest that is Summer Isles Arete. It wasn't as bad a day out as all that, but the midges were truly gruesome. The "stomach traverse" on the route provided much entertainment. The canoe squad had a pleasant day on Cul Beag. It is assumed that they left the canoe on the car. Lorna decided that the peat bogs of Am Faochagach were not very appealing, and climbed the nice dry path on Ben Wyvis instead. Not the best weather, but still lots got done.
Ronnie & Dan prepare to row Colin around Cam Loch
The view out of the hut window
Rab on the horizontal arete at the top of Summer Isles Arete
The buttresses of Stac Pollaidh
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