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3rd February 2006 - Raeburn Hut Another meet with good weather - 3 in a row must be a record ! We went to the SMC hut on the moor between Dalwhinnie and Laggan, to be met by a group of SMC bods. Thankfully this curtailed the drinking somewhat on the Friday night, and folks got up and away (reasonably) early on Saturday morning. Colin & Rab perhaps less so, their intended epic visit to Braeriach was curtailed to a more reasonable visit to Aonach Mor. Ken & Monica managed to miss the early gondola, and climb part way up the first pitch of completely the wrong route, before settling on Forgotten Twin (II). Not wanting to miss the gondola down, they raced up it in 2 pitches, thanks to the wonder of 60m ropes. Some ice and no big cornice made for a good climb. Colin & Rab settled on a rather gory Left Twin (III). Perhaps not the best choice given the accident the previous day, but definitely a good climb on another day. Neil, Ronnie and Andy went up a sunny Ben Macdui (see photo). The Pottingers & Keith went up Creag Meagaidh. Ken & Monica had to race back to Edinburgh for a vital dinner engagement on Saturday evening, others made better use of the settled weather. Colin & Rab climbed Oesophagus (III) in Coire an Lochain, "it was in excellent nick (!) with more than adequate ice forming an aesthetic ‘goulotte’ up a steep grove at the top of Number 4 Buttress. A wee bit mixed action to turn a roof at the beginning of pitch one added to the fun!" Neil & Keith went up a couple of Munros near Dalwhinnie. All in all an excellent weekend. However, a quick reminder from the meets secretary. Please, please could folks do a little cleaning of the hut before leaving ? Many hands make light work etc.
Neil & Ronnie on the Cairngorm plateau (click for larger version)
Rab on the second pitch of Left Twin (III) (click for larger version)
Colin on the first pitch of Oesophagus (III) (click for larger version) |
