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6th June 2008 - Coruisk Hut, Skye No apologies for the lateness of this report. Laziness, work and alpine climbing the necessary distractions. Another year, another Coruisk though and this, the most spectacular of meets, providing even more excitement than usual. Rab, Mike, Dave, Lucy, Brendan, Dan, Ali, Matt, John P and Anne met at Elgol on the Friday night and sailed the ‘Misty Isle’ into the hut. Rab and Mike had come round from Glen Brittle, having climbed the ‘Direct Route’ on Eastern Buttress, Sron na Ciche earlier in the day. Saturday dawned fine. Rab and Ali taking the long walk to the East Face of Sgurr Mhic Choinnich and coming away with a big prize – an ascent of the classic ‘King Cobra’. At E1, Rab was suitably impressed. The exposed route; with a top out on the ridge and descent via Collie’s Ledge providing a grand day out. The slight variation on the exposed fourth pitch (which felt like British 5c with a rucksack!) being most memorable. Rab also discovering on this pitch, that if you try hard enough, levitation is actually possible!! Meantime; Dave, Lucy, Brendan and Matt were having an awesome day out on the Dubh’s Ridge. The smile on Brendan’s face that evening saying it all. John and Mike took a walk up the Drum Nan Ramh ridge. Dan, in the kind words of Ali, “walked up and down the Loch, and kept an eye on everyone making sure they were alright”. A surprise was in store for us all though, when Pete and Christine turned up early evening by canoe!! Despite starting in calm waters, the roughening seas had forced them to hug the shoreline and at one point, seek refuge in Camusunary Bay. On departing from the Bay, the rough seas even capsized the canoe, leaving Christine none too pleased at the forced early bath. The decision was made for them though. The canoe would be coming out by boat. A night of beer, whisky and guitars followed. Some of us had woken early on the Sunday morning to find a note from Seamus, the skipper of the Misty Isle, stating that bad weather was forecast next day with the possibility that the boat wouldn’t manage to get us out. After much deliberation, Mike and Rab duly ignored the good advice... and taking advantage of the good weather, headed up the Dubh’s Ridge. They returned however to find the hut deserted. Yes, they had been abandoned. Only Pete, Christine and John (who was still out on the hill) remained. The weather was good that evening, so the castaways enjoyed a (very) large fire with copious amount of (the remaining) beer and whisky drunk. We were all praying that the weather would dawn fine. Our prayers were to be left unanswered. The morning was wild. In fact, as a result of the wind, it was a struggle to even open the hut door. Those that left the day before had taken most of our gear, allowing us the option of walking out with the remaining stuff. This we did. Departing around 2 o’clock (Rab wearing shorts...) Mike and Rab took on the walk back to Elgol. They reckoned the Bad Step out of the question in the rain and wind so headed over the Druim Hahn en route for Camusunary. They made the road in just over 3 hours, hitching a lift from Kilmarie back to Elgol. After some fun and games trying to discover the location of the bags (in Edinburgh...), they headed on the long road home. Rab on the verge of hypothermia. Mike sleeping in the car (a first). To cut a long story short; Pete, Christine and John had to wait it out another night. Finally walking out on the Tuesday afternoon. Apparently, they had survived the last night on nothing more than mouse droppings. John was in his element. Christine perhaps wasn’t. Pete and Christine returned on the boat later in the week to rescue the canoe. An epic weekend. RMcM
Mike on the 'Direct Route' Eastern Buttress
Looking good!! Ali following an early pitch on King Cobra
Ali showing off again!! - King Cobra E1
Ali feeling the cold (again!!)
Mike enjoying the fire. Deserters take note!!
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