Ben Nevis

(15.8.2015) Ben Nevis, 19km, 8hours 30min

Friday night camp in Glen Nevis with my sister and Dave. On the Saturday we headed South down the Glen Nevis road and then zig zagged up the path to meet the main mountain track.  Continued on up to the plateau and Loch Meall an t-Suidhe, the half way lochan, up by red burn then up to the summit of Ben Nevis. It was drizzly, misty and very cold. Practiced abit of nav from the summit. A bearing 231 for 150m then 281. We returned the same way and took the main path down to the Ben Nevis Inn then crossed the river Nevis by the visitor centre back to the camp site.

Ptarmigan August Meet (Loch Rannoch)

(2.8.2015) Beinn a’ Chuallaich, 12km, 4hrs 52min

Club meet to Carie, Loch Rannoch. Me & Colin were dropped off the club bus on the B846 and headed up the track near Drumglas Farm then up the broad, heathery south ridge to the summit 892m.The clag came in around 800m and the wind picked up. Had lunch at the summit then took a bearing NW continuing around & onto the delightful little ridge and the summit of Carn Fiaclach 748m. We followed the ridge with an impressive drystone wall SW to bealach a’ Mhaim. From here the rain became heavy as we headed South back to Kinloch Rannoch for a cuppa & a wander before the pick up.

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.