Meet Report: 2-5 February 2017.

The journey northwards met darkening skies, rain and mist. Moments of optimism were dashed at the Glenshee Ski Centre where only brown grass and heather was visible in the swirling mist. The Centre looked moribund.

The small party of seven arrived at the Linn of Dee staying at the Cairngorm Club’s hut, Muir Cottage or Muir of Inverey. Extended in 1972 and recently refurbished, this well-equipped hut is comfortable and cosy, especially once the “Clearview”  wood burning stove was lit.

The assembled enjoyed a good meal in the Braemar Lodge Hotel as the wind moaned outside the stone walls in classic horror film style. Returning to Inverey, despite the less than propitious conditions the forecast for the following day provided the best opportunity for the weekend and preparations were made for an early start.

Friday dawned with a glimmer of lighter skies. David Hick, meet leader, Helen Smith, John Sutcliffe and past-President, Michael Smith headed up towards Glas Moel from near the Glenshee ski centre with a view to completing the round to the east of the pass. Strong winds were the theme of the day and the party having reached a point on the north spur at an elevation of approximately 850m were swept back to the road. Industrious as ever the party sought consolation by walking into the lower reaches of lonely Glen Ey to the south of Inverey to seek the “Colonel’s Bed”; the river flows through a narrow rocky chasm where the Black Colonel, or Col. John Farquharson of Inverey, hid after the battle of Killiecrankie.

The Colonel was not at home. With light remaining the four drew lots to claim the three bicycles stored at the hut on this occasion for a spin past Mar Lodge and across Victoria Bridge. The bridge was completed in 1905 by King Edward VII, demonstrating the true love he had for his mother, whose reign had been cut short after only sixty-four years.

Further east Andy Syme, Peter Elliott and Chris Hilton were hoping to scale either Raeburn’s Gully or Central Buttress on Lochnagar. Little snow was visible below the scudding cloud. The first clue as to the condition of the snow, if any, in the corrie was the thundering burn, Allt-na-giubhsaich, which barred the way to continuing up the pleasant path. The party stepped gaily through the heather, the wind brought rain, hail and wet snow flakes for good measure. Once in view of the corrie, the mist lifted briefly. It was obvious that neither route was in condition.

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A brief discussion concluded that a closer view of the buttress followed by an exit up the broad south east shoulder to the corrie rim would compensate. However the same wind that battered Glas Moel tore across the corrie in all directions knocking the party off their feet and hampering forward progress. AS bellowed instructions to turn back, his words were carried away above the hill in an instant. This was PE’s first visit to Lochnagar and he was greatly impressed. He took great delight in the lichens which nestled below the canopy of rough heather. Following this unfamiliar line across the heather PE set off several robust mountain hares. A warming cup of tea was sought in Ballater where it was noted that a number of shops remain closed following the devastating floods in the last days of 2015. 

DH as Meet Leader arranged the catering which was first class. The lasagne was particularly good which also served as breakfast and lunch for one greedy fellow. On Saturday evening the party was joined by Bob Peckham, a long-standing member of the Craven Pothole Club who now resides in Inverness and is a friend of John Sutcliffe and the Whalleys amongst others in the YRC.

Saturday dawned with dark skies. The past President and DH with determination set off once again with Glas Moel in their sights. Bent to the wind, from the car park just to the south of the pass, they traversed Creag Leacach before reaching Glas Moel.

The only proof of success was the record on MS’s GPS as no view was glimpsed at any time. I do feel the use of GPS does smack of professionalism as ordinarily given the conditions a YRC meet would have recorded at least one party becoming hopelessly lost before a late arrival at their lodgings.

The remainder of the party stepped out along Glen Lui, then via Clais Fhearnaig to Glen Quoich. BP and JS followed the same path after returning from beyond Derry Lodge. This short walk provided the opportunity to return later to Braemar to watch some inter-national rugby football and enjoy a few complimentary drinks, courtesy of the recently refurbished Invercauld Arms Hotel. 

Sunday, brighter and calmer, witnessed an early departure after the usual chores. DH, HS and MS enjoyed a short walk with views over Balmoral. The Queen was not at home.

We were unfortunate with the weather but our thanks go to the Cairngorm Club for maintaining an excellent hut and to DH for organising the meet as well as providing excellent victuals.

Attending:
Andy Syme, Bob Peckham (Guest), Chris Hilton, David Hick (Leader), Helen Smith, John Sutcliffe, Michael Smith and Peter Elliott.