Our New Year meet this year saw us returning to Mill Cottage at Feshiebridge, with around 18 club and family members ready to celebrate the year past and bring in the bells for 2026.
Alex and Lucas (and Jura) made an ascent of Meall Chuaich on their way to the hut on the 30th December. Colin went for a run up Ben Vrackie on route, catching a stunning sunset. And having been in the area a couple of days ahead with the LSCC, Cat was out for some Corbett biking and hiking, taking in Carn na Saobhaidhe and Carn Dearg Mor.
On the 31st December, a small group set off seeking out the El Alamein Refuge. The wind was ferocious, with a biting chill, and Lucas got his first taste of winter mountaineering – time to get the goggles on! After some searching, the majority of the group made it to the refuge and squeezed inside.
Colin went out for a trail run over Meall a’ Bhuachaille, returning via An Lochan Uaine (the Green Loch). Keith and Jamie ventured into the Northern Corries to play on the fun stuff.
Rosie, Joady and Matt hiked up Gael-charn Mòr from Lynwilg.
The night’s festivities were plentiful. High-stakes jigsaw puzzling, which had to be achieved before dinner was served! Our Hogmanay/New Year’s dinner was a delicious steak pie organised by Rosie, and a kindly shared chicken pie cooked up by Tom and Thea. Sorry you didn’t have any left over!!
Not only was it Hogmanay for the club, but also a milestone birthday for Alex (our President at the time of writing), who blew out the candles/flares on a 40th Birthday cake.
On New Years day, a group of brave members prepared themselves for the Loonie Dook in Loch Insh. Made slightly easier by booking the sauna!
The rest of the day and the meet was spent relaxing by the fire and playing games. It all ended with a bit of added fun, though, when our convoy of vehicles got stuck on the icy/snowy track. The extra muscle power was needed to get everyone out onto the road.
Attending: Neil, Lucas, Keith, Andrea, Terry, Morag, Tom, Thea, Colin, Rosie, Joady, Lorna, Calum, Cat, Alex, Matt, Fiona.
Written by Alex Mitchell