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| 28th March 2008 - Milehouse, Kincraig This was a challenging meet, with the weather giving club members a stern test ! On the Friday, Andy & Steve set off to have a go at Sgor Gaoith on their way up to the hut. The wind was fierce and they had to turn back before the summit, unknowingly setting the pattern for the weekend. They retired to the hut, and in view of the Geoff Monk's forecast that the wind would ease throughout Saturday, considered the situation. They were joined later on by several other members, similarly optimistic about the weather. Plans were planned, and drink was drunk. Everyone was up early on Saturday, indeed the hut was deserted by 9.30. Andy & Steve went for Braeriach, starting from Whitewell, and accompanied by Terry & Konrad, After the long approach through Rothiemurcus forest, they eventually reached the plateau. To be met by a south westerly gale. With some 3km of walking still go before the summit, they decided enough was enough, and retreated. Peter & Christine had a similar experience on Carn Ban Mor. The rest of the group headed to an eerily quiet ski car park, and on to Coire an t'Sneachda. The approach was into the gale, with snow being whipped up into their faces. Neil, Gordon & Ally decided on Western Rib (III). They didn't make it to the start of the route proper though, turning around half a pitch up Goat Track Gully. So, it was left to Colin to save the day, by dragging Ken up Pygmy Ridge (IV/5). This was absolutely plastered in snow. Lots of clearing and blind hooks made for very slow progress on the lead. Ken followed, with only a minimal amount of hanging on the rope. They were continually blasted by a spindrift blizzard, and shivered on the belays. The gear was hard to find, and there wasn't all that much of it. The 90m in the guidebook turned out to be 120m. Why do guidebook writers always give the wrong length for routes ? These routes are hard enough as it is ! Eventually they made it to the top, and the full force of the wind. They quickly headed off down Fiacall Ridge, before the daylight faded. The got back to the car park to find that theirs was the last car there. The club's honour was restored. Meanwhile, back in the hut, the early return had given the others plenty of time to let their imagination wander. They had a crisis of confidence, and headed up to the car park to check that our heroes were OK. There was much relief when they arrived there to find Colin & Ken back at the car & getting changed. Although somewhat knackered ! No rescue required. Everyone went back to the hut to recover. Drink was drunk, but it's fair to say not many plans were planned. It is with regret that it has to be reported that Colin was not the last to bed. In fact, he left Ally snoring in a chair in the sitting room. Has the old master passed the mantel down to the next generation ? Only time will tell. Sunday turned out to be a much more pleasant day. Warm, with lighter winds. John, Phoebe and Ally (2) headed off in the direction of Ryvoan bothy, followed sometime later by Peter & Christine. Andy & Steve made it third time lucky by getting to the top of A'Mharconaich at Drumochter. They'd almost forgotten what the top of a hill looked like. Similarly, Terry & Ken made it to the top of Carn Liath, on Beinn a'Ghlo. Colin, Neil, Gordon & Ally headed up to Coire Garbhlach for an easy route. But the snow was no good, so they turned around. A fitting end to a hard weekend.
Trudging into the gale on the approach to Coire an t'Sneachda
Ken shivers on the last belay on Pygmy Ridge
Colin sets off on the last pitch, Pygmy Ridge
Terry descending from Carn Liath, Beinn a'Ghlo
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