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| 18th January 2008 - Muir of Inverey A good turnout for this meet. Certainly better than the last one at Mill Cottage, although that wasn't helped by the winter vomiting epidemic. And the A9 being closed on Friday night. Hats off to the valiant few who made it ! In view of previous key-related dramas, there were nervous murmurings before this meet, when Rab announced he'd sent the key to Liz. We shouldn't have worried. 18 months in Antarctica must have taught her that getting into the hut really is a good idea. She remembered the key with no worries. The main hit on Friday night was Ken's splendid "Tom Patey" Norwegian-style jumper. This valuable antique has been up more Munros than some club members, and is still both functional and fashionable. It says so on the Internet now, so it must be true. All were in bed by 12.30, ready for action the next day. Folks were a little concerned that so much of the previous week's snow had melted low down, but in the event, there was plenty to keep both the skiers and the climbers happy. As ever, Dave & Lucy went ski-touring. This time they were accompanied by Rab. They were suprised to meet up with Calum & Fiona in the Glen Shee car park, who were up for a day trip. They all headed up Glas Maol and Cairn of Claise, on pretty complete snow cover, from the car. The main excitement was Rab being escorted off the mountain by some ski patrol bloke at the end of the day. Surely if you've put the effort in to ski up the hill, you can jolly well spend as much time as you like getting back down ! Liz and Neil started off skiing up Carn Aosda (or "Ben Asda") but Liz's injured wrist meant they had to turn back. They completed their day on the pistes. Neil, Ronnie, Chris, Colin, Ken, Gav and Ally all headed off towards Stuic Buttress, on the north side of Lochnagar. Kath and Isla came along for the start of the approach, but it became clear that conditions weren't good enough for Isla's first winter route. That'll have to wait until she's at nursery at least. Some folk were intending to try one of the routes on the side of the buttress, from the new Cairngorm guide, specifically Bathtime Buttress. However, on closer inspection, this was in the lee of the previous week's gales, and was very deep in windblown snow. Gav & Ally made the most determined attempt to get to the start of the route, but in the end they retreated, and all went up the buttress itself. From the top of the buttress, Ronnie and Chris returned via Carn an t-Sagairt Mor. More adventurously, Gav & Ally returned via the top of Lochnagar. More typically, Colin & Ken returned via the Fife Arms. All were suitably knackered. On Sunday, Liz & Neil set off early to walk up Carn Aosda. Others dithered, looking at the on and off rain outside. No other mountaineering can be reported.
Ranger Ronnie advises on the best line for the poo-stick competition
Gav traverses across, trying to get to the start of Bathtime Buttress
At the top of Stuic Buttress, looking at the frozen lochan below
A potential new member tries to fit in
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