Ptarmigan July Meet (Victoria Bridge)

(5.7.2015)Stob a'Choire Odhair & Stob Ghabhar  16km,6hrs10min,ascent 1189m

Headed NW from Victoria Bridge along by the north bank of the Abhainn Shira. Turned off the track to onto the path following the Allt Toaig athen zig zagged North up the broad slopes to the summit of Stob a’Choire Odhair 945m. Had lunch with views to Rannoch Moor then descended W down the broad west ridge to the bealach at 668 metres and followed the path WSW up the steep scree and rocks to the ridge of Aonach Eagach. Headed along the ridge as it curved around then followed the fence posts to the final climb & summit of Stob Ghabhar 1087m. Descended SE down the Stob Maol ridge avoiding the slabby crags of Creag an Steallaire & crossed the Allt Toaig before joining the path back to the start. The weather was warm & clear before light rain and clag in the afternoon.

Highways June Meet Glen Etive

(14.6.2015) Beinn Fhionnlaidh (Glen Etive) 14.5km, 6hrs

Myself, Sandy, Tom & Shane had a straight forward walk up Beinn Fhionnlaidh on a nice wee braw day.  Dropped off the club bus at Inverchaman on the Glen Etive road  and took the landrover track  NWup through Glen Etive Forest out onto the open hillside then a steep wee climb up to the minor top Meall nan Gobhar. From here it was a case of following a faint path and picking a route over the scree and boulders to the ridge then following the ridge to the summit. Spent a while at the summit soaking up the rays and enjoying the views. From Starav & pals, Cruachan, Glencoe peaks, out to Mull and even the Paps of Jura visible.  Headed back East on the ridge to the 841m Eastern top before descending SE back through Glen Etive forest back to the bus.

Ptarmigan June Meet (Drumochter 4)

(7.6.2015) The Drumochter Four, 20km, 7hrs,36min

The Ptarmigan June bus destination was to Glen Feshie. Me & Sandy were dropped off by the club bus on a lay by near the Drumochter summit and headed West on the track into Coire Dhomhain. As the tracked curved we began the ascent over boggy ground and heather up onto the broad ridge, SW curving around Coire Creagach to the summit of Sgairneach Mhor 991m. After a bite to eat we took a bearing W to the bealach then up the stony South ridge to the summit of Beinn Udlamain 1010m. Practiced timing and pacing due to the easy underfoot conditions of the Drumochter hills plus the summits were in the clag. Did this in a NE direction down the broad ridge and took a bearing over the 892m,902m, &861m tops along the plateau to the summit of A' Mharconaich 975m. Headed back SW and then descended NW to the bealach near Coire Fhar before ascending North on the South slopes of Geal-charn 917m. After the summit. Descended NE from the summit down to Balsporran Cottages where we waited for the bus and counted cars going back and forward to pass the time. The weather was a strong 45mph North Westerly with minus 10 wind chill which eased in the afternoon. There was also a light hail & rain shower.

Mount Keen

(24.5.2015) Mount Keen, 939m, 20km, 5hrs30min

Left the car park at Invermark, Glen Esk with Graham and followed the path NW up through Glen Mark, passed the Queens Well. Followed the easy track up by Ladder Burn to the summit at 939m. From the summit we made our way over heather and bracken SW to pick up the Mounth Road path then descended the way we came. Further down we crossed the Water of Mark and took the path around Invermark Lodge to Loch Lee then returned to the car park. The weather was clear but windy with sunny spells.

Ptarmigan May Meet

(10.5.2015) Beinn na Gucaig, 5hrs 20min, 17.3km

Weather forecast wasn’t great and I was recovering from the flu. The May club bus was going to Glen Nevis but me and Graham were dropped off at the Corran Ferry. After visiting Inchree Falls we headed East along Glen Righ & Through Glen Righ Forest. Followed the fence line NW up to the summit of the Graham Beinn na Gucaig. We then headed SW along the top of Glen Righ forest looking for a fire break & had an awkward descent via the Allt an t-Seilich back down to the path at Glen Righ. Wet & blowing a hoolie but a braw day.