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July Weekend to Aviemore
A late call-off had reduced the numbers to five but as Bob, Hamish, Tom, Jean and I gathered at the busy Coylumbridge Hotel we saw Gordon and Andrew at the check-in desk, so we were up to seven for the weekend.
On Friday, the weather was sunny and warm. Bob had a walk around Loch an Eilein and Loch Gamhna and included an out and back walk to the Cairngorm Club Footbridge. Tom and Jean stopped at Tibbermore for a walk on the way up.
On Saturday the weather was overcast and dreich. Five walkers set out to climb the local Corbett Meall a' Bhuachaille via the north west ridge. After a bit of trouble getting a ticket for the car parking due to a faulty machine, we headed off through the Queen's Forest and past the Badaguish Outdoor Centre, and then we had more trouble finding the start of the path to Craiggowrie. With the prospect of tramping through very wet grass and heather we were on the point of changing to a forest walk when we found the path and we made our way up to the ridge. The cloud level was down to 500m and we were in the clag for all of the ridge walking .. no magnificent views of the Cairngorm Mountains today! Nearing the end of the ridge, Hamish decided he had seen enough mist and headed down the hill while the others made the final climb to the summit. After a short rest we retraced our steps to the col then took the path down through the forest and back to the start point.
GPS data : distance 15km, total time 7hrs 10mins, walking time 4hrs 50mins, in the clag time 4hrs 30mins
Gordon and Andrew went for a trip on the steam train followed by some fine dining at Boat of Garten then settled down for some more World Cup Football at night.
On Sunday, the weather was back to dry and sunny and the four staying for the Sunday night had various walks. Tom and Jean walked from the hotel to Lochan Mhor then walked back via the Dell of Rochiemurchus. Bob walked from the hotel to the track that goes up Gleann Eanaich, not as far as Loch Eanaich but far enough to see it before retracing his steps. I drove to Tromie Bridge, cycled down Glen Tromie (17km) and had a moorland walk to An Eilrig. On the walk back to the bike I looked for signs of the old Minigaig path to Blair Atholl but found nothing definite.
GPS data : distance 8km, total time 4hrs 30mins, walking time 2hrs 58mins
On Monday the weather was dry and sunny again, but after all the weekend walking it was a day for going home, although Tom and Jean did manage one final short walk at Loch Lubnaig on their way home.
It was another enjoyable weekend of various walks in variable weather .. but always in good company.
Willie Robison
The next social evening will be at the Counting House from 7pm on Tuesday 1 September.
Talk (amongst other things!) will be about past and proposed outings ...
The social evening dates are noted in our Outings Programme, and a reminder will be sent by e-mail about a week beforehand.