1995 Archive Stories and pics from the Club Log Book Volume 3

The Knoydart Megabag

This was our very first backpacking expedition, planned for a "long weekend" of Thursday to Tuesday.  We had already tried an extended bagging trip on the Ullapool weekend the previous September .. click here to read about that one.

Bob MacDonald wrote the log ....

THURSDAY
We had all set off early and made our way to the Spean Bridge Little Chef to meet and consume a hearty breakfast before the start of our weekend.  After offloading our extra supplies on to Allan .. who was heading for Loch Treig with Mark .. Kenny, Phil, James and I set off to leave cars at Kinloch Hourn.  With the cars suitably parked, we all loaded up into the one car to return to the dam at Loch Quoich to meet up again with Janet, Duncan, Willie and Andy.

Having got all our gear loaded on our backs, we set off for the climb up Gairich.  This turned out to be a fairly uneventful 'warm up'.  We were rewarded with some views from the summit (including the cars parked by the dam!) which were not really appreciated at the time.  After a customary photo, we left the summit and headed down to meet the track leading out to the River Kingie.

As we approached the river, it became obvious that there was no easy crossing and we had to resort to a quick splash across a shallower section.  It was only a short distance from there to the Kinbreack Bothy.  A couple were in residence, but only to cook a meal, and by the time we had settled in we had the place to ourselves.  It wasn't long before Allan and Mark also arrived and after everyone had eaten, we settled down for the night, disturbed only by the patter of tiny feet.  (Mice! .. Ed)

FRIDAY
We rose early, and after breakfast we left the bothy at 8am.  Crossing the river, we soon joined 'the best track in Scotland' which took us up to the col between An Eag and Sgurr Beag.  We left our sacs there and headed off for what turned out to be a strenuous climb over Sgurr Beag and on to Sgurr Mor.  On our return (again over Sgurr Beag), we picked up the sacs to continue, but Allan decided to return to Kinbreack as he wasn't feeling 100%.  The rest of us set off to complete the ridge, bagging Sgurr nan Coireachan, Garbh Chioch Mhor and finally Sgurr na Ciche.

We then headed down by the Allt Coire na Ciche towards Loch Nevis, arriving at 8pm at Sourlies Bothy.  Again we had the place to ourselves.  It's a delightful little bothy in a delightful setting, made more so by the excellent evening weather.  I may have been scoffed at for carrying cans of beer, but none complained when I shared it out on arrival!

Kenny decided to go for a swim and looked so refreshed that he persuaded Janet and myself to do likewise.  It definitely woke you up!  After dinner we were lulled by the good weather into leaving out clothing and boots to dry.  What foolishness!  We should have known better, because around 2am the heavens opened .. and stayed open!

SATURDAY
Gathering in our sodden washing, and emptying pints of water from boots, we packed up after breakfast.  We set off in a light drizzle round the coast and up to the ruins at Carnoch.  Here was to be the parting of the ways as Phil, Kenny and James decided to follow the path and head through Gleann Unndalain directly to Barrisdale.  To reserve our spots in the bothy, they contrived to load all of the Karrimats on to their rucsacs.  For Willie, Janet, Duncan, Mark, Andy and myself it was the 'high road' to Barrisdale by way of Meall Buidhe and Luinne Bheinn.  It was one of those lovely days with a perpetual drizzle interrupted only by the odd shower of rain.  Needless to say we didn't get any views, and even had to navigate off Luinne Bheinn.

We eventually made it to Barrisdale, where Phil, Kenny, James and Allan had already arrived .. Allan having portered in some extra supplies from Kinloch Hourn.  We had one other resident that night .. Mysterious Malcolm, who had just completed his Munros on Ladhar Bheinn.  The bothy was quite luxurious with a toilet, running cold water and even electric lights!  However, the lack of a fire meant that our rather moist clothing and boots didn't get very dry.

After unpacking and dining, we settled in around the table for a marathon session of dominoes .. a pleasant evening much enhanced by the consumption of Malcolm's champers.

SUNDAY
Kenny, Phil, Janet and Duncan were heading for home and set off for Kinloch Hourn while the rest of us headed for Ladhar Bheinn with day sacs .. much lighter than on previous days!  It turned out to be the best day of the weekend.  The cloud level rose as we climbed, and we had an excellent ridge walk including an interesting climb up 'muddy gully' (on to Stob a'Chearcaill .. Ed).  At the summit we had views out across to Skye, and similar vistas to the north and south.

While at the summit, another group arrived having been driven (!!!) along the track in a LandRover to the start of their ascent.  However, at their age if I can still climb Munros I might appreciate a few luxuries!  (Happens all too quickly! .. Ed)

On our return to the bothy, with the dry and breezy weather, we managed to dry out our clothes.  After our evening meal and a stroll (as if we hadn't been walking enough!) we returned to the table for another game of doms before bed.

MONDAY
We all packed up our gear and set off for the 7 mile walk-out to Kinloch Hourn.  As we walked out, the rain started again.  On the way we encountered the amazing sight of a couple walking along the path resplendent in full waterproofs as well as carrying their umbrellas to keep them dry.

At Kinloch Hourn it didn't take us long to stow the sacs in the cars and head for tea and scones in the farmhouse.  What luxury!  And we didn't even have to remove our boots.  Much refreshed, we got in the cars and headed off to collect the other cars left at Loch Quoich.  The only problem encountered was the "Gandalf Standoff" .. ask Allan Boyd for an explanation.

After picking up the cars we headed for the Tomdoun Hotel.  As the weather had no intention of improving, our planned ascent of Sgurr a'Mhaoraich was abandoned and we settled in at the bar for a much-appreciated pint and a large lunch.  We booked in .. 3 in the hotel and 3 in the bunkhouse .. and after a shower and some rest met up again in the bar.  Once the resident St Bernard had been persuaded to move from under the table (dragged out by the two owners) we settled down for an excellent meal, a few drinks and yet another game of dominoes.  There was a comment made by some other resident about dominoes being more boring than Eastenders .. but since the said person had spent the day wading about in a river, his judgment could be questioned.

TUESDAY
We met up in the dining room and had a good breakfast.  Allan and Mark were heading off to climb Stob Ban (Grey Corries), while Andy, James, Willie and I were heading back to Loch Quoich.  After leaving cars at the dam again, we headed off to the start point to follow the path up for a quick sprint over Gleouraich and on to Spidean Mialach.  A quick descent was made straight to the dam, and after tidying ourselves up, we all headed back down the road satisfied at having completed our MegaBag.

The usual stop was made at Spean Bridge where we met up again with Allan and Mark, and had a quick meal and coffee.  From there it was back in the cars and we all made it safely home.

It was an enjoyable if tiring weekend and I would definitely go back .. but only if I could be promised better weather!

Coinneach recorded some thoughts ....

The feeling of nervous excitement was not the usual emotion prior to a Club meeting, so as I ordered my Olympic Breakfast in the Spean Bridge Little Chef I wondered as to the cause of such feelings.  This was the MegaBag at last .. the idea was now reality.  Oh, shit, was the weather going to hold?  Had I enough kit??  And was I fit enough???

Well, I'll not bore you with all the details, but in my weaker moments when close to delirium I was haunted by a song that the Stranglers sang ...

Every day you're working like a slave
Sweating buckets hoping that you get it right
Will it be as tough tomorrow
Have to wait and see
Life shows no mercy

So in conclusion .. to those guys and girl whose boots filled with rain water at Sourlies, I say .. life shows no mercy!

The day trip was to the Glencoe area on Sunday 18 June, and an anonymous author filed this report ....

The day began with a less than promising start as thirty walkers turned up for the 7am departure whereas the bus turned up at 7.45 for an 8am departure!  Undeterred, we quickly loaded up and set off at 7.50am to collect the rest of the passengers on the way.

This was the Club's charity outing day, with the Brittle Bone Society benefiting from our efforts.  Ever-hopeful Barbara had even brought along a collection can which she hoped would gain extra ballast as the day went on.

After our customary stop at the 'Green Wellie' for a quick coffee and roll and sausage, we eventually started to drop off our groups of walkers at their various start points (an energetic Dick Fletcher starting from Tyndrum), as ominous dark clouds were gathering, promising a less than dry day.

At the end of the day, each group managed to find their way back through the rain and drizzle to the Kingshouse for the usual refreshments and post-mortems.  Surprisingly enough everyone seemed to arrive within half an hour .. Colin must be making some mistakes with his route timings!

The opportunity was taken to sell some of the Club merchandise .. badges and polo shirts with the logo above .. and also to look through the Log Books before it was time to leave.  Gathering the groups and leaving no-one behind, we set off for the return journey.  This was made slightly longer by the numerous road works as well as a toilet stop at Tyndrum requested by Ruth.  As the bus stopped, she was nearly knocked over by the rush of bodies!

We eventually returned to Glasgow where we dispersed for home having had an enjoyable if somewhat damp day.

There was also an evening ascent somewhere in the Crawford area on Wednesday 21 June ..
no report was submitted.  Do YOU know where?

Thanks to Mark Setford .. the hills climbed were Tewsgill Hill, Hawkwood Hill and Rome Hill on a fine sunny evening .. the walkers were Mark, and Phil and Gill Brett.  Possible pic on its way!

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