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19th January 2007 - Muir of Inverey A good crowd of folks eventually turned up at the cottage. The weather was definitely wintry, with snow down to the road, but it was forecast to be "a bit windy". As usual, Friday night was spent planning what to do on Saturday. The prevailing avalanche conditions persuaded the climbers in the group against tackling any gullies, so the search was on for a nice easy buttress to start the season. The Stuic Buttress of Coire an Loch Nan Eun, on the west side of Lochnagar fitted the bill perfectly (apart from the long walkin). In a dramatic break with tradition, Robert was first to leave the hut on Saturday morning. Along with Mike he set off to give Stuic Buttress a go. Some time later, Ken & Chris set off in the same direction. Both parties found the going tough on the way in, with deep snow in all the hollows, and the strong wind making for slow progress. In due course they each reached the route, and made their ways up it. A worthwhile climb in a very remote setting, no queues here ! Robert & Mike carried on to the top of Carn a'Coire Boidheach, a new Munro for Mike. Chris & Ken, however, had had quite enough of the cold & headed straight back to the car. Meanwhile, Colin, Monica, Neil & Ronnie had experienced much the same windy weather walking up Glen Ey to Carn Bhac. At one point they had to resort to combined tactics to help Neil with the trail breaking (see photo). But great views more than made up for it. We made sure we got our money's worth of fire wood for the stove on Saturday night, and nursed tired legs in the warmth. Ken must have broken some club rule or other by going to bed before midnight (9.30 in fact ...). He was almost last up on Sunday morning as well, but Monica made sure that her record is unbroken. Last again ! The main theme of Sunday was deciding which Morven to climb. The one at Banchory, or the one at Braemar (also called Morrone). Unsuprisingly, the closer one was selected. Lorna set off first, followed later by Colin, Neil, Ronnie, Monica & Kath, followed even later by Robert & Mike. They all met up for the summit photo, which appears to be in some sort of bus shelter. I wonder if they actually did climb the hill ??? It can be reported that Calum & Fiona were out on their skis on the Sunday, they did the hills behind the Cairnwell, without carrying the skis at all. Good effort.
Chris near the top of Stuic Buttress, Lochnagar
Monica, Ronnie & Neil resort to extreme tactics in the face of the gale, on Carn Bhac
The summit of Morven/Morrone, aren't the Scottish hills beautiful ?
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